U.S. Route 66 was officially removed from the United States Highway System in 1985.
The highway declined as the Interstate Highway System replaced older roads with faster, limited-access routes. Interstates bypassed many Route 66 communities, reducing traffic for diners, motels, filling stations, and roadside attractions that depended on passing motorists.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials removed Route 66 from the national system on June 26, 1985. Decommissioning ended its status as a continuous U.S. highway, but it did not erase the road itself.
Many surviving sections were absorbed into state or local roads, while others became marked Historic Route 66 segments. Preservation groups, museums, and tourism organizations continue to interpret the old alignment. A common mistake is to say the road disappeared in 1985; the national designation ended, but substantial pavement and landmarks remain.