25 Car-Free Cities in America

America is known for being a country that’s heavily reliant on cars. Sometimes, it seems impossible to live in parts of the country without a personal vehicle, or even more than one. Thankfully, these 25 car-free cities in America are making it possible.

While vehicles are still heavily present in most of these cities, the local government is making an effort to push people away from using motorized vehicles. They promote options like biking, walking, or taking public transportation instead.

1. Boston, Massachusetts

The city has reliable public transportation and plenty of stations to help you get where you need to go.

2. Newark, New Jersey

Metros, buses, trains, and taxis make it possible to navigate throughout this city without the need for a car.

3. New York City, New York

There are over 16,000 bus stops throughout the city, which equals roughly two stations per square mile.

4. Portland, Oregon

There city has pushed for designated bike lanes in the city streets as well.

5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

There’s even a bike-rental system for those who are looking to take a bike to work without buying their own yet.

6. Washington D.C.

An estimated 33 percent of people use public transportation. It’s thought that even more people simply walk or bike, especially in the safer areas of the city.

7. Boise, Idaho

They’ve been building their city around tree-lined sidewalks and bike lanes since the 1970s.

8. Tempe, Arizona

They are working to build a community with everything you need in walking or biking distance, and plenty of public transportation.

9. Denver, Colorado

This makes it easy to get to the heart of the city from anywhere in Denver. It’s also focused on making mini-communities so long commutes aren’t as necessary.

10. San Francisco, California

A good portion walk as well. Smaller vehicles, like motorcycles, are also popular.

11. Chicago, Illinois

The local government is working to change this by designating some streets in the city as completely car-free.

12. Seattle, Washington

It’s the walking trails and well-maintained sidewalks that make Seattle a great place to go without a car.

13. Miami, Florida

To keep up, Miami has implemented numerous public transportation options and condensed communities to make going car-free practical.

14. Madison, Wisconsin

Despite being a rather cold place with a rough winter, Madison has quite a few people who bike or walk to work.

15. Honolulu, Hawaii

However, they have top-of-the-line public transportation to take you around the island and the city.

16. Nashville, Tennessee

While you still may need a car to travel to other parts of the city, you can walk to most things you’ll need every week.

17. Atlanta, Georgia

There are many communities and parks that are perfect for biking and walking within the city.

18. Durham, North Carolina

The mild weather also makes it great for those wanting to bike or walk.

19. Las Vegas, Nevada

It offers many sidewalks for walking, bike lanes for biking, and options to rent scooters as well as hire ride-shares and taxis.

20. Folsom, California

Folsom is pushing to become more of a car-free city. There are sidewalks and bike lanes with towering trees to help keep those out and about cool.

21. Oakland, California

The main event is called Oaklavia.

22. Jersey City, New Jersey

They’re making a state-wide ride-share program that uses electric vehicles and is handicap friendly.

23. Providence, Rhode Island

To stop so many students from bringing their cars to the city, they have worked hard to promote public transportation with buses and trollies.

24. Minneapolis, Minnesota

They have created wider sidewalks, more bike lanes, and less street parking in an attempt to entice people to use alternative methods of transportation.

25. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Mackinac Island isn’t a city, but it’s still worth mentioning. The island’s government was quick to ban horseless carriages, and motor vehicles, before they became popular.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/jacoblund