Rural guiding plans are important instruments for the physical organization of rural settlements in Iran. However, physical interventions do not necessarily lead to economic development or increased resident satisfaction. This study evaluates the economic success of rural guiding plans and examines residents’ satisfaction with their implementation in Aqilabad and Gowar villages in Arak County, Iran. The study is applied in purpose and quantitative in methodology. Data were collected from 159 residents using a questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using a one-sample t-test in SPSS, while second-order confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted using AMOS 24. The results of the one-sample t-test showed that the mean scores for economic success (2.228) and residents’ satisfaction (2.283) were significantly below the theoretical midpoint of 3. However, structural equation modeling revealed positive and statistically significant effects of rural guiding plan implementation on the economic dimension (β = 0.813, p = 0.011) and residents’ satisfaction (β = 0.504, p = 0.045). Among the economic components, village relations and regulations had the highest standardized factor loading (0.758), while land-use allocation, employment generation, attention to crop farming and livestock raising, and commercial land use exhibited negative coefficients. Timely implementation, school location, and health centers were among the most influential indicators of residents’ satisfaction. The findings indicate that although rural guiding plans can contribute to local economic development and resident satisfaction through spatial organization and infrastructure provision, their economic potential has not been fully realized. Improving their effectiveness requires integrating physical interventions with measures that support employment, agricultural and livestock activities, and local economic capacities to promote sustainable rural development.