In Pixar's Cars, what desert town does Lightning McQueen accidentally reach?

In Pixar's Cars, Lightning McQueen accidentally reaches Radiator Springs after being separated from the truck carrying him to California. The town is located on the historic U.S. Route 66 in the film's fictional setting.

Lightning damages the road while passing through town and is ordered to repair it. During that work, he meets residents including Mater, Sally Carrera, Doc Hudson, and Sheriff. The enforced stay changes his attitude toward racing, fame, and friendship.

Radiator Springs is fictional, but its design draws on real Route 66 communities and landmarks. Pixar artists researched the highway and its roadside architecture for the film. The town becomes a recurring location in Cars 2, Cars 3, and later Cars-related stories, so it is more than a one-film detour.