How far is Trenton, NJ from Princeton, NJ?
The driving distance from Trenton, NJ to Princeton, NJ is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.1 miles (16.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 19m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Township in Mercer County, New Jersey
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Trenton and Princeton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Trenton and Princeton.
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1
Start on Chambers Street
2 m · 6 sec · Chambers Street
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2
Turn left onto Hamilton Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · Hamilton Avenue
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 295 North
1791 ft · 23 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on I 295 North
1320 ft · 17 sec
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5
Merge slight left
2.9 mi · 3 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: New Brunswick, Trenton
1116 ft · 15 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on US 1 North: New Brunswick
2872 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Brunswick Pike
4.1 mi · 6 min · Brunswick Pike
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Washington Road
103 m · 8 sec · Washington Road
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10
Exit the rotary onto Washington Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Washington Road
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11
Turn left onto Nassau Street
714 ft · 24 sec · Nassau Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nassau Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Trenton and Princeton.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Brunswick Pike
Merge slight left onto Brunswick Pike
4.1 mi · 00h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Partly Sunny leaving Trenton and Mostly Sunny near Princeton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Trenton to Princeton?
The road trip is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km) and usually takes 00h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lawrence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.3 miles from Trenton and 6.3 miles from Princeton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.1 miles (16.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.84 one way or $3.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Trenton and Mostly Sunny near Princeton.
Stop Ideas Near Lawrence
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Trenton City Hall
Trenton Health & Human Services
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawrence.
Princeton Junction station
Trenton Transit Center
New Brunswick station
Cornwells Heights
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Trenton and Princeton. Straight-line distance: 10.12 mi (16.28 km).
#1 Trenton
The capital of New Jersey.
| Population | 82,957 |
| Coordinates | 40.2170500, -74.7429400 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Princeton
Private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States
| Population | 30,879 |
| Coordinates | 40.3487200, -74.6590500 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| Country | United States |
End: Princeton (-74.65905, 40.34872)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 20 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $1.84 | $3.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $2.07 | $4.14 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $2.23 | $4.46 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $2.69 | $5.38 |
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 New Jersey · May 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.