Overview
Princeton is a small town in Johnston County, North Carolina with a population of approximately 1,200 people.
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 32°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Sep and Jul. (climate data from nearby Raleigh)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PGV Pitt-Greenville Airport, Greenville — 45 mi away. Directions
- RDU Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Raleigh/Durham — 45 mi away (major hub). Directions
There is an airfield just south of town, called Hinton Field, but rarely sees use for anything other than small and private airplanes, as it is a dirt landing strip.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
The town offers chain restaurants: Hardee's, Bojangles', Hwy 55 Burgers (formerly Andy's Cheesesteaks & Cheeseburgers), Subway, and Hong Kong Chinese,
The local restaurants are Nick Bombino's Pizza-n-Stuf, Fran's, and So Cool Snow and Ice Cream.
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
By car
- From the West & East: U.S. Highway 70 (four-lane expressway; this is a minor bypass which does not pass directly through the town limits, however, the old U.S. 70, which intersects the bypass on both its west and east ends, passes through town and is named Dr. Donnie H. Jones, Jr. Boulevard)
- From the Northwest: U.S. Highway 70-Alternate (two-lane road; continues across U.S. 70 as Edwards Street in town)
- From the North: Old Rock Quarry Road (two-lane road; named Barden Street in town)
- From the Northeast: Rains Mill Road (two-lane road; named Pine Street in town)
- From the Southeast: Old Hinton Road (two-lane road; named Pearce Street in town)
- From the South: Massey Holt Road (two-lane road; named Pearl Street in town)
- From the Southwest: Holts Pond Road (two-lane road; named 3rd Street in town; previously served as N.C. 10 "The Central Highway" before being routed as U.S. 70 for a short time)
By plane
There is an airfield just south of town, called Hinton Field, but rarely sees use for anything other than small and private airplanes, as it is a dirt landing strip.
By train
There has been consideration of returning passenger service to the west-east railroad through downtown, with Princeton being a possible stop along the route.
Get around
Sidewalks are located in town, promoting the use of bicycling and walking throughout town. Otherwise, vehicular travel is the only other method of transportation.
See
Established in 2009 and expanded on in 2010, the Princeton Veteran Memorial is located on W. Railroad Avenue in town. This memorial recognizes veterans from all branches of service, including POWs. Accompanying it is the annual Princeton Veterans Day Celebration, which includes a parade. Also, the Princeton Christmas Parade is held annually and usually falls on the first Saturday in December.
Buy
There are two grocery stores in town, Food Lion and Piggly Wiggly, as well as two banks, BB&T and First Citizens. Entering Princeton from the west, you can find the Deacon Jones Used Car Center. Also, located next to Food Lion on the east side of town, there is a Family Dollar and Triangle Service Center. A mile further east of town, you can shop at Dollar General, Ormond's Gas & Appliances Center, and Golf Carts & More. In downtown, there is Woodard's Drugstore, Holt's Hardware, Auto Parts & Supply Co., Quickshirts, Casey's Floral & Catering Service, Triangle Mobility & Medical Supply, People's Clothiers, Tippy Toes Dance Studio, and the Princeton News Leader.
Eat
The town offers chain restaurants: Hardee's, Bojangles', Hwy 55 Burgers (formerly Andy's Cheesesteaks & Cheeseburgers), Subway, and Hong Kong Chinese,
The local restaurants are Nick Bombino's Pizza-n-Stuf, Fran's, and So Cool Snow and Ice Cream.
Sleep
The closest motels are in Smithfield and Goldsboro, each roughly 10 miles from Princeton.
Nearby
Smithfield-Selma
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
Goldsboro
City / town · 10 listings · 12 mi away
Benson
City / town · 7 listings · 22 mi away
Wilson
City / town · 4 listings · 23 mi away
Kinston
City / town · 9 listings · 35 mi away
Fuquay-Varina
City / town · 3 listings · 36 mi away
Raleigh
City / town · 96 listings · 37 mi away
Rocky Mount
City / town · 7 listings · 39 mi away
My experience
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