Route 66 did not close on a single date in a single moment. The iconic highway was officially decommissioned on June 27, 1985, when the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHO) eliminated the designation. However, this singular event was merely the final stamp on a process of fragmentation that had been occurring for decades, as sections of the road were bypassed by modern interstate highways.
The Gradual Disintegration of a Highway
Long before the official decommissioning, Route 66 was already falling apart piece by piece. The construction of the Interstate Highway System, specifically the likes of I-40 and I-44, provided faster, more direct routes for travelers. State governments began to reroute traffic onto these new freeways to improve safety and efficiency, effectively cutting Route 66 off at the knees. By the time the federal government passed the Highway Safety Act of 1966, which provided funds for the Interstate system, the writing was already on the wall for the older highway.
Bypassed by Progress
One of the primary reasons for the decline was the simple reality of geography. Route 66 followed a winding path along historic trails and rail lines, connecting small towns dotting the American landscape. The new interstates, however, prioritized speed and straight lines, often slicing directly through the countryside and bypassing these towns entirely. As traffic dwindled, the businesses that relied on the highway—gas stations, motels, and diners—suffered, leading to a rapid economic decay in many communities.
Preservation and Revival
The official closure in 1985 did not kill the spirit of the road. In fact, it sparked a grassroots movement to preserve what remained. Organizations like the Route 66 Association sprang up across the various states, advocating for the protection of the highway’s historical legacy. Their efforts led to portions of the route being designated as State Historic Routes, ensuring that the remaining segments would be maintained and protected from further demolition or abandonment.
1926: Route 66 is officially established, connecting Chicago to Los Angeles.
1950s-1960s: The rise of the Interstate System begins to divert traffic away from the aging highway.
1970s: Increasing sections are bypassed and decommissioned by state governments.
1985: AASHO officially decommissions the route, removing the designation from maps.
1990s: Preservation efforts gain momentum, leading to the establishment of State Historic Routes.
21st Century: Route 66 experiences a cultural revival as a beloved tourist destination and nostalgic symbol.
The Cultural Afterlife
Although the blacktop has been torn up and the signs taken down, Route 66 lives on in the cultural imagination. It has become a symbol of American freedom, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life, immortalized in songs, films, and literature. The mythos surrounding the highway often overshadows the practical reality of its closure, transforming it into a romantic relic of a bygone era rather than a mere piece of outdated infrastructure.
Driving the Route Today
For the modern traveler, the experience of "driving Route 66" is a collection of disjointed segments rather than a continuous journey. Drivers must navigate a patchwork of local roads, state highways, and scenic byways that trace the ghostly outline of the original path. While the seamless cross-country drive of the past is gone, the fragmented nature of the route offers a unique advantage: the ability to explore the diverse communities and landscapes that the highway once connected, piece by piece.
