When did Route 66 start to decline?

The road and the towns it snaked through began their downward trend in 1956, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act. Route 66 was officially decommissioned as a highway in 1985. Bigger, faster roads were built to bypass the highway.



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Route 66's popularity led to its downfall, with traffic swelling beyond its two-lane capacity. In 1956, legislation created the Interstate System, and over the course of three decades, five separate interstates bypassed segment after segment of Route 66.

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Without much fanfare, the Mother Road was removed from the U.S. Highway System. The end of Route 66 had been a long time coming, though. The new-fangled Interstate Highway System had taken its place and the old, crumbling road no longer had much purpose.

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Of the original 2,448 miles that made up Route 66, about 80-85% is still drivable.

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After 59 years, the iconic Route 66 enters the realm of history on June 27, 1985, when the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials decertifies the road and votes to remove all its highway signs.

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And it's a prime example of a rebirth of Route 66 that's occurring in various parts of the country. Town leaders here decided to use the history of the famous road to their advantage, 20 large murals, a museum of Route 66 collectibles, and much more, all bringing in tourists from around the world.

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20 Facts About Route 66
  • Route 66 was built as an efficient way to get from Chicago to Los Angeles. ...
  • The “Father of Route 66” was an Oklahoma businessman. ...
  • In 1928, promoters held a foot race across Route 66. ...
  • The New Deal helped finish Route 66. ...
  • The Great Depression spurred thousands to head west along Route 66.


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Jericho Gap, Texas This became so profitable that there were rumors that some residents watered down the road to increase the plight of Route 66 travelers. Eventually, Route 66 was rerouted to higher ground in the 1930s and the area dwindled into a ghost town.

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If you to travel the most famous routes, you will need a sedan or city SUV. If you want to use the oldest routes, definitely choose a SUV 4×4 with a high chassis. Don't forget about the passengers – if there are more of you, choose the car size that provides enough comfort to everyone.

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Completed in 1926, Route 66 winds 2,448 miles from Chicago to L.A. Through most of the Western states, Route 66 follows Interstate 40, which eventually replaced much of the Mother Road. In some areas, the remnants of 66 parallel the interstate as a frontage road.

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Only one state, Montana, is left unspoiled with no daytime speed limit. At night, speeds are restricted to 65 mph on interstate highways and 55 mph on two-lanes.

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