How far is St. Louis, MO from Princeton, MO?
The driving distance from St. Louis, MO to Princeton, MO is about 280.1 miles (450.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 218 miles (350.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 40m 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 05h 50m.
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 Shelby County, Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between St. Louis and Princeton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis and Princeton.
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1
Start on Market Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Market Street
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2
Take the ramp slight left toward I 64 West, US 40 West: Wentzville
1531 ft · 24 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Jack Buck Memorial Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
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5
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
101.2 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Take the exit slight left
76 m · 15 sec
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7
Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road
2645 ft · 1 min · Paris Gravel Road
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8
Keep slight right to continue on County Road 422
85 m · 9 sec · County Road 422
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9
Turn right onto Veterans Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Veterans Road
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10
Take the ramp left toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
1226 ft · 16 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi · 7 min · V.F.W. Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
111.4 mi · 2 hr 9 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 65, US 36 Business: Chillicothe, Carrollton
975 ft · 28 sec
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14
Turn right onto South Washington Street
46.4 mi · 1 hr 12 min · South Washington Street
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15
Turn right onto North College Street
39 m · 2 sec · North College Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North College Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between St. Louis and Princeton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
111 mi · 02h 09m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving St. Louis and Rain Showers Likely near Princeton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from St. Louis to Princeton?
The road trip is about 280.1 miles (450.7 km) and usually takes 05h 50m 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?
Hunnewell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.9 miles from St. Louis and 140.2 miles from Princeton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 218 miles (350.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.1 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 5:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.26 one way or $74.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around St. Louis and Rain Showers Likely near Princeton.
Stop Ideas Near Hunnewell
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hunnewell.
Quincy
La Plata
Hermann
Fort Madison station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between St. Louis and Princeton. Straight-line distance: 217.98 mi (350.8 km).
#1 St. Louis
The second most populous city in Missouri and the center of the St.
| Population | 315,685 |
| Coordinates | 38.6272700, -90.1978900 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Princeton
City in Mercer County, Missouri
| Population | 1,078 |
| Coordinates | 40.4008400, -93.5805000 |
| Altitude | 293 |
| Country | United States |
End: Princeton (-93.5805, 40.40084)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 451 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $37.26 | $74.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.02 | $84.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.98 | $91.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.40 | $104.81 |
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 Missouri · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.