Last Town Bypassed by I-40

Route 66 died by inches, one bypass at a time, and Williams was the last to go. On October 13, 1984, the final stretch of the Mother Road through a town was replaced by Interstate 40, which slid past Williams to the south and, for a while, threatened to strangle it. The town sued to keep its off-ramps and won concessions. Then the road's own legend saved it: travelers came looking for the last town on old 66, and Williams leaned into being exactly that.

What the plaque says

Last Town Bypassed By I-40. . , Last Town Bypassed By I-40 , Williams, Arizona , October 13, 1984 ,

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Williams — steps away
  The last town on Route 66 to lose its traffic to the interstate — a rail gateway to the Grand Canyon since 1901, bypassed only in 1984 after a court fight, and revived twice over.
• Oak Creek Canyon — 32 mi
  The switchback drive from red rock to ponderosa on State Route 89A

More markers nearby

• Santa Fe Railway Freight Depot — steps away
• Grand Canyon Hotel — steps away
• The "World Famous" Sultana — steps away
• DelSue Motor Inn — 0.2 mi