How far is Princeton, TX from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance from Princeton, TX to Killeen, TX is about 196.1 miles (315.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Princeton and Killeen.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Princeton and Killeen.
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1
Start on North Front Street
95 m · 18 sec · North Front Street
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2
Turn right onto North 4th Street
2259 ft · 51 sec · North 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto East Princeton Drive
3 mi · 4 min · East Princeton Drive
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4
Continue on East University Drive
4.3 mi · 5 min · East University Drive
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5
Continue on West University Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · West University Drive
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6
Turn left onto North Central Expressway
148 m · 8 sec · North Central Expressway
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7
Take the ramp straight toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
1617 ft · 39 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Central Expressway
30.9 mi · 33 min · Central Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
153 m · 12 sec
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10
Continue on North Central Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · North Central Expressway
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11
Turn right onto Elm Street
93 m · 11 sec · Elm Street
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12
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
1086 ft · 29 sec · North Pearl Expressway
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13
Turn right onto Young Street
572 ft · 20 sec · Young Street
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14
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
96 m · 8 sec · South Harwood Street
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15
Turn right onto Canton Street
2105 ft · 48 sec · Canton Street
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16
Take the ramp slight left toward I 30 West
1773 ft · 38 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
607 ft · 15 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
67 m · 5 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South: Waco
1915 ft · 30 sec
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20
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
2866 ft · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
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21
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 1 hr 32 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
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22
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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23
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Central Texas Expressway
13.1 mi · 14 min · Central Texas Expressway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
1346 ft · 33 sec
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26
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi · 3 min · West Central Texas Expressway
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27
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi · 3 min · South W.S. Young Drive
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28
Turn left onto East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
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29
Turn right
25 m · 8 sec
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30
Turn right
23 m · 5 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Princeton and Killeen.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South R L Thornton Freeway
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 01h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Princeton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Killeen.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Princeton to Killeen?
The road trip is about 196.1 miles (315.6 km) and usually takes 03h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hillsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.2 miles from Princeton and 97.9 miles from Killeen.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.15 one way or $52.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Princeton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Killeen.
Stop Ideas Near Hillsboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
Milford City Hall, Police Station, Municipal Court
Town Hall Estates Hillsboro
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillsboro.
Cleburne
Waco, TX
McGregor
Fort Worth Central Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Princeton and Killeen. Straight-line distance: 159.66 mi (256.95 km).
#1 Princeton
City in Collin County, Texas, United States
| Population | 15,699 |
| Coordinates | 33.1801200, -96.4980400 |
| Altitude | 175 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Killeen
The 11th most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 153,991 |
| Coordinates | 31.1171200, -97.7278000 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
End: Killeen (-97.7278, 31.11712)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $26.15 | $52.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.42 | $58.85 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $27.63 | $55.26 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.