Transportation and Commuting in Highland Village, TX: A 2026 Guide
The city connects to the broader Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex through a mix of highways, on-demand transit, and commuter rail. That gives you options, though some are more practical than others depending on where you work and how you live.
Arrival Routes and Driving into Highland Village
The main roads in are Interstate 35E, FM 407, and FM 2499. DFW International Airport sits about 13.3 miles away as the crow flies - closer to 15 to 18 miles by road.
Most residents lean on these three corridors daily, connecting to Denton to the north and Lewisville to the south. How smoothly that goes depends on what time you leave.
Highway Access via I-35E, FM 407, and FM 2499
I-35E is your north-south spine into downtown Dallas. FM 407 cuts east-west through the city, linking residential subdivisions to commercial centers. FM 2499 heads south toward Flower Mound and Grapevine, which makes it the natural route toward the airport.
In practice, most drivers mix and match all three to sidestep highway backups. FM 407 in particular gets noticeably heavier when schools let out and again during evening rush.
Distances from Dallas and DFW Airport
Non-stop from DFW to Highland Village runs 23 to 29 minutes, depending on your exact route and the time of day. Dallas Love Field is the other commercial option - a bit farther down I-35E.
A full run into downtown Dallas takes longer. The distance is greater, and highway traffic doesn't do you any favors. If you're commuting that direction regularly, it's worth building departure time into your routine.
Public Transit Options Through DCTA
The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) runs transit for the area - a 21-mile commuter rail line plus local rideshare service. In the first quarter of 2026, the agency reported roughly 9,900 weekday riders across its entire network.
Highland Village no longer runs fixed local bus routes. The city moved to an on-demand model, which gives residents more flexibility on pickup and drop-off locations rather than tying them to set stops and schedules.
The A-Train and Park-and-Ride Locations
The A-train commuter rail links Denton County to the DART Green Line at Trinity Mills. Your closest boarding point is the Highland Village/Lewisville Lake Station at 2998 N. Stemmons Freeway in Lewisville - an at-grade lot with 138 parking spaces and a single island platform.
That lot has a 24-hour time limit. If it's full, there's additional parking across the street at the City of Lewisville Recreation Parking lot. DCTA also points out that the nearby Old Town and Hebron stations have higher parking capacity if you need a reliable fallback.
GoZone Rideshare and Transit Fares
For local trips, DCTA's GoZone on-demand rideshare covers Lewisville, Highland Village, and Castle Hills. You book through an app or by phone, and a branded van picks you up for a shared ride - no fixed route, no set stop.
The flat fare is $1.50 per passenger, with no per-mile charges on top of that. If you hold a GoZone-eligible DCTA pass, you ride at no additional cost. Reduced fares are available for students, seniors, Medicare cardholders, and people with disabilities.
Walking and Daily Commuting Without a Car
Highland Village has the Inland Trail System - a paved network connecting parks, neighborhoods, and retail areas. It's genuinely useful for pedestrians and cyclists, but the city's layout is built around cars.
If your home sits right next to a commercial hub, walking works. For most residents, though, the residential subdivisions put you a mile or more from major grocery stores, which makes a vehicle or a GoZone ride a practical necessity for day-to-day errands.
Walkability Near The Shops at Highland Village
The Shops at Highland Village is the community's main retail and dining anchor. The blocks immediately around that outdoor mall have sidewalks and crosswalks, and if you're near the intersection of FM 407 and FM 2499, grabbing dinner or coffee on foot is a reasonable call.
Out in the residential neighborhoods, the math changes. The distance to commercial centers makes walking for daily errands more effort than it's worth for most people.
When Owning a Vehicle Makes Sense
For most residents, a car is just the baseline. The A-train handles the long haul into Dallas well enough, but getting to the station and moving between suburban towns is a different story - and that part is almost always faster by car.
If you're relocating here, budget for personal transportation or plan to lean on GoZone and private rideshare apps. The 15-mile gap between the city and DFW Airport alone makes a personal vehicle the default for most households.
Airport Shuttles and Private Transfers
Uber and Lyft both operate continuously at DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field, with direct terminal-to-door service. The drive runs roughly 25 minutes without traffic, which is short enough that most residents book a ride rather than deal with multi-day airport parking.
Booking Regional Airport Shuttles
Several private shuttle operators run shared vans between the airport and Denton County, though they typically require advance booking and pick up multiple passengers along a shared route. The cost is usually lower than a private taxi, but the trip can run longer because of other passenger drop-offs.
Confirm your pickup time directly with the shuttle company before you count on it for a flight - shared routes don't always align neatly with every schedule.
Transit Services for Seniors and Medical Needs
DCTA runs specialized transportation for residents who can't use standard transit because of age or disability. These demand-response programs cover medical appointments, grocery runs, and community centers.
SPAN Inc. also operates in Denton County, but it doesn't provide standard intracity service within Highland Village, Lewisville, or Denton. For residents of those member cities, DCTA handles those trips directly.
DCTA Access Paratransit
Highland Village residents who are 65 or older, or who have qualifying disabilities, can use DCTA's Access paratransit service. It's a Non-ADA demand-response program offering door-to-door transportation within Highland Village, Lewisville, and Denton.
You'll need to register in advance and schedule trips ahead of time. The vans are wheelchair and mobility device accessible.
Cross-Town Options for Nearby Residents
SPAN doesn't run intracity routes in Highland Village, but it does facilitate cross-town travel for eligible residents in neighboring non-DCTA towns. Residents of Flower Mound who are 65 or older, or who have qualifying disabilities, can use SPAN's door-to-door service to travel into Highland Village - at a $3 one-way fee. That connection matters for anyone in a surrounding community who needs to reach doctors or specialists located within Highland Village city limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Highland Village from Dallas?
The drive into downtown Dallas typically takes 40 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. DFW Airport is closer - about 15 to 18 driving miles, taking 23 to 29 minutes non-stop.
Does Highland Village have public transportation?
Yes. DCTA serves the area with the GoZone on-demand rideshare for local trips and the A-train commuter rail for regional travel toward Dallas.
How much does transit cost in Highland Village?
A local GoZone ride costs a flat $1.50 per passenger with no per-mile charges. Single rides on the A-train are also $1.50. Riders with eligible DCTA passes can use GoZone at no additional cost.
Do you need a car in Highland Village?
For most people, yes. Residential neighborhoods are spread out, and while GoZone and the Inland Trail System give you alternatives, a vehicle is the practical choice for grocery runs and regional commuting.
Is Highland Village walkable?
In specific commercial areas - particularly the blocks around The Shops at Highland Village - yes. The Inland Trail System adds paved walking routes, but getting from most homes to retail centers typically requires a car.
What is the best way to get from Highland Village to DFW Airport?
Driving or using a private rideshare app is the most direct, at about 23 to 29 minutes. Private airport shuttles are also available with advance booking for a shared ride to the terminals.
Who qualifies for specialized accessible transportation in Highland Village?
Residents aged 65 and older, and individuals with qualifying disabilities, can use DCTA's Access paratransit service - a demand-response, door-to-door program covering Highland Village, Lewisville, and Denton.
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