The Best Complete Streets Policies in the US, Ranked

San Antonio and Nashville top the list, with most large cities not making an appearance in the top 40.

1 minute read

August 12, 2025, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Crowd of people in crosswalk on busy street in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

Nashville, Tennessee took the #2 spot in the Complete Streets rankings. | Cute babe / Shutterstock

The National Complete Streets Coalition has released a list of the nation’s best Complete Streets policies in 2023 and 2024.

At the top of the list are San Antonio, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Clyde, Ohio. The top of the list notably includes primarily small towns. St. Louis, Missouri is the next larger city on the list, coming in at number 12.

At the state level, New Jersey, Maryland, and California made the list, coming in at numbers 25, 26, and 33 respectively.

“The National Complete Streets Coalition (NCSC) identifies the elements of a comprehensive Complete Streets policy to help communities develop and implement policies and practices that ensure streets are safe for people of all ages and abilities, balance the needs of different modes, and support local land uses, economies, cultures, and natural environments.” The list ranks Complete Streets policies on 10 policy elements that include commitment and vision; prioritizing underserved communities; requiring proactive land-use planning; and specific performance metrics to measure progress.

Friday, August 1, 2025 in Smart Growth America

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

6 hours ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

7 hours ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

September 16 - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.