In Pixar's Cars, what fictional town becomes Lightning McQueen's temporary home?

In Pixar's Cars, Radiator Springs becomes Lightning McQueen's temporary home.

McQueen reaches the small desert town after accidentally damaging its main road while fleeing from the authorities. A court order requires him to repair the road, so he must remain in Radiator Springs instead of immediately continuing to the Piston Cup race.

The town is presented as a once-thriving stop along Route 66. Its decline follows the construction of Interstate 40, which diverts traffic away from the old highway. This background reflects the real history of many Route 66 communities in the United States.

Radiator Springs is fictional, but its scenery and businesses draw inspiration from real places along Route 66. The town's residents—including Mater, Sally, and Doc Hudson—help McQueen understand friendship and community before he returns to racing.