Commuting From Joshua to Fort Worth and Burleson
How long is the commute from Joshua to Fort Worth and Burleson?
Joshua to Fort Worth is about 23 miles via I-35W, roughly a 26-minute drive non-stop, while Joshua to Burleson is only about 7 miles, around 12 minutes, since the two cities share a border along Highway 174. Joshua also has direct access to the Chisholm Trail Parkway toll road, which shortens the drive into Fort Worth during peak traffic for buyers willing to pay the toll.
By The Chad Smith Team | November 3, 2026
If you’re weighing Joshua against a closer-in city like Burleson or Fort Worth itself, the commute math is usually the deciding factor. Here’s what the actual drive looks like, not just the mileage on a map.
The Two Commutes That Matter Most
Joshua to Fort Worth. The drive is about 23 miles, primarily via I-35W North, and takes roughly 26 minutes without traffic. The City of Joshua sits approximately 20 minutes south of Fort Worth in normal conditions, though rush hour will add time, as it does on any DFW highway.
Joshua to Burleson. This is a short hop — about 7 miles and 12 minutes, since Joshua shares a city-limit line with Burleson along Highway 174, also known locally as Wilshire or Broadway. For buyers who work in Burleson or want quick access to Burleson’s shopping and dining without living inside city limits, this is about as short a commute as it gets.
The Chisholm Trail Parkway Factor
Joshua has direct access to the Chisholm Trail Parkway, a toll road that connects south Fort Worth communities to downtown Fort Worth significantly faster than surface streets or I-35W during peak hours. This is worth factoring into your commute math specifically — the toll costs money, but it can meaningfully cut your drive time if you’re commuting into central Fort Worth on a regular schedule.
Highway 174 is the other major route through Joshua, running between Cleburne to the south and Burleson to the north, and it carries close to 20,000 vehicles a day — a sign of how much through-traffic and local commuting already relies on that corridor.
Why Buyers Choose Joshua Despite the Longer Fort Worth Commute
Joshua consistently draws buyers who are willing to trade a slightly longer commute for meaningfully lower home prices and a smaller-town feel. A few patterns show up repeatedly:
• Buyers priced out of Burleson or closer-in Tarrant County suburbs who want to stay within a short drive of Burleson’s amenities without the higher price tag.
• Remote and hybrid workers who only need to make the Fort Worth drive a few days a week, making the extra 10 to 15 minutes each way far less of a factor.
• Buyers who work in Burleson or Cleburne rather than Fort Worth, for whom Joshua’s location is actually more central than it looks on a map focused on Fort Worth.
• Families wanting more land or a newer home for the budget, since Joshua’s growth has been more recent than Burleson’s, which can mean more new-construction options at a given price point.
What to Actually Compare Before You Decide
Mileage alone doesn’t tell the full story. Before deciding between Joshua and a closer-in city, walk through:
1. Your real commute time at your actual work schedule, not just off-peak mileage — rush hour on I-35W can add real minutes to that 26-minute baseline.
2. Whether the Chisholm Trail Parkway toll is worth it for your route and schedule. For some commuters, the time savings justify the cost; for others, surface streets or I-35W make more sense.
3. How often you actually need to be in Fort Worth versus Burleson. If most of your life — work, groceries, school — happens closer to Burleson, Joshua’s short 7-mile hop to Burleson may matter more than the Fort Worth distance.
4. Home price and lot size differences between Joshua and Burleson for a comparable property, since that’s usually the trade-off that makes the extra drive time worth it for buyers who choose Joshua.
Beyond the Drive: What Else Shapes the Decision
Commute time is usually the first thing buyers ask about, but it’s rarely the only factor that ends up mattering once you’re actually living in a place. A few other considerations worth weighing alongside the drive:
• Where your kids will go to school, and whether that district crosses city lines. Joshua ISD serves much of the city, but boundaries don’t always follow the map the way you’d expect, so confirm which district serves a specific address before you assume anything based on the city name alone.
• Grocery, healthcare, and everyday errands. Joshua has grown enough to support more local retail than it used to, but for specialty shopping or certain medical services, some residents still make the short drive into Burleson or the longer one into Fort Worth. Map out your actual weekly routine, not just your commute to work.
• How new construction pricing compares to resale. Joshua’s growth has attracted builders in recent years, which means new-construction inventory is more available here than in built-out Burleson. That can translate to more choice on floor plans and lot sizes, though it’s worth comparing total cost, including any HOA or MUD fees, against a comparable resale home closer to Fort Worth.
• Highway 174 traffic growth over time. With close to 20,000 vehicles a day already using that corridor, it’s reasonable to expect continued growth as Joshua adds rooftops. Factor in how that might affect your daily drive five or ten years down the road, not just today.
None of these factors should be a dealbreaker on their own, but together they round out the picture beyond a simple mileage comparison. The right answer depends on your specific job, family situation, and how much you value short-term savings versus long-term commute convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joshua, TX a good option if I work in Fort Worth?
It can be, especially if you have access to the Chisholm Trail Parkway or a flexible schedule that lets you avoid peak traffic. The baseline drive is about 26 minutes, but real-world commute times depend heavily on your specific route and work hours.
How close is Joshua to Burleson?
Very close — Joshua and Burleson share a city-limit line along Highway 174, and the drive between the two is only about 7 miles and 12 minutes. This makes Joshua a practical option for anyone who works in or frequently visits Burleson.
Does Joshua have toll road access to Fort Worth?
Yes, Joshua has direct access to the Chisholm Trail Parkway, a toll road that can significantly cut commute time into downtown Fort Worth during peak traffic compared to surface streets or I-35W alone.
Why do buyers choose Joshua over Burleson?
Buyers typically choose Joshua for lower home prices and more land for the money, accepting a slightly longer commute to Fort Worth in exchange for affordability and, in some cases, more new-construction inventory.
If you’re trying to figure out whether Joshua’s commute trade-off makes sense for your specific work schedule and budget, we’re happy to run through it with you. Reach out anytime.
About The Chad Smith Team
The Chad Smith Team at Realty of America is one of the top-producing real estate teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with more than 22 years of experience, 2,915 homes sold, and recognition by RealTrends among the top 1% of real estate professionals nationwide. The team helps first-time buyers, sellers, relocation clients, and new construction buyers throughout Arlington, Mansfield, Fort Worth, Midlothian, Waxahachie, and surrounding DFW communities. Through this blog, the Chad Smith Team shares expert market insights and practical advice to help North Texas buyers and sellers make informed real estate decisions.
