In Pixar's Cars, Radiator Springs is the California town where Lightning McQueen's unexpected detour takes place.
McQueen reaches the town after being separated from his transport truck while traveling toward a championship race. His attempt to leave quickly causes him to damage the main road, and the community requires him to repair it before departing.
Radiator Springs is portrayed as a once-busy Route 66 settlement bypassed by a modern interstate. Its residents include Sally Carrera, Mater, Doc Hudson, Ramone, Flo, Luigi, Guido, Sarge, and Fillmore. The town's decline reflects the historical impact of interstate highways on many roadside communities.
The location is fictional, but Pixar based its atmosphere on research into Route 66 and towns in the American Southwest. Ornament Valley is the broader scenic region shown around the town, while Porto Corsa belongs to Cars 2 and is an Italian setting.