Cross Roads grew from a rural junction into a country town
The small town of Cross Roads, located on the north side of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is so named because it lives at the junction of U.S. Route 380 and U.S. Route 377. Incorporated in 1973, this community of 2,000 came together for two reasons: lower taxes and country living. “It’s evolved from just a spot in the road,” says longtime local Dutch Wiemeyer, a Keller Williams Realtor. “I mean, it used to be you couldn’t even order a pizza there, but over the years, those options have come in.”
There are fewer farms and horse ranches here now, but the community maintains an ordinance requiring lots to be an acre or more, limiting population density. “It’s a pretty, pretty area,” Wiemeyer says. “There’s lots of elbow room and lots of trees. I don’t think that will ever change.”
Starter homes and estates coexist across large-lot zoning
Density restrictions means homes in this community tend to sit on property of an acre or more. Prices range from the mid $600,000s to $1.5 million.
There are some HOA communities here, including Oak Bluff and Forest Hills. Oak Bluff was one of the community’s first developments, built out with 1990s New Traditional homes on oversized lots. Forest Hills, meanwhile, featured contemporary options, most of them built between 1990 and 2010.
The Preserve at Hillstone Pointe has brought new construction starter homes to the east side, ranging from the mid $300,000s to the mid $500,000s. Oak Hill Ranch has residences on half-acre lots between the mid $500,000s and $1.1 million. Properties touching special flood zones, like the one around the Cantrell Slough, may require flood insurance for federally backed mortgages.
Most of Cross Roads is zoned for Denton County ISD schools
About 12 independent school districts (ISDs) serve Denton County. Cross Roads is mostly covered by the Denton ISD, which earns an A-minus on Niche as the county’s fourth-best district. Local Denton ISD schools include Cross Oaks Elementary and Rodriguez Middle, graded B-minus, and Braswell High, graded B. Aubrey Independent School District, also graded B, serves a small northern section of Cross Roads, with Brockett Elementary, graded A-minus, and Aubrey Middle and Aubrey High, graded B. Parents of neurodivergent students can look into 29 Acres, a nonprofit on the west side founded to help such students build community, plan their futures and live independently.
Local produce, live music and tractors mark seasonal events
Cross Roads Town Park is a local green space that is popular for hosting the Cross Roads Community Market. Mini markets are held every Saturday, but every first Saturday of the month in the summer, the mega summer markets have larger turnouts. Local goods range from fresh produce and poultry to baked goods and unique art pieces. Founder’s Day is a new annual tradition, started in 2023, to celebrate the 50-year mark since the community's incorporation. The event is an artsy blend of countryside fun, held at Star Ranch, featuring chainsaw carvings, antique tractors, food trucks, carnival games, live music and much more. It’s held in September at Star Ranch, an agricultural science facility owned by Denton ISD.
Fast food, Walmart and emergency care are close to home
Residents can run most errands in town along U.S. Route 380, a section of which is lined by chain fast-food joints like Whataburger and Chick-fil-A. Prairie House Restaurant is at the end of the strip, serving classic Southern fare with a Texan twist. Walmart Supercenter is also along Route 380. Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospital, the closest emergency room, is a little more than 5 miles down the road. The nearest general hospital is Medical City Denton, just under 10 miles away. Historic Downtown Denton, known for its array of local eateries, is also less than 10 miles away.
Route 380 offers access to highways but struggles with traffic
Wiemeyer says there is more traffic here than the roads can support. Route 380 is a straight shot into Denton, where drivers can take Interstate 35 East to Dallas, about 44 miles away, or Interstate 35 West to Fort Worth, closer to 50 miles away. I-35E is the main route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, roughly 30 miles away.
Written By
Micaela Willoughby
