In Pixar’s Cars, what fictional town is home to Sally, Mater, and Doc Hudson?

Radiator Springs is the fictional town home to Sally, Mater, and Doc Hudson in Pixar’s Cars.

The town lies along historic Route 66 in the film’s fictional Carburetor County. Lightning McQueen reaches Radiator Springs after being separated from his transport truck and accidentally damaging the town’s main road. A court order requires him to repair the road before he can leave.

Radiator Springs is populated by characters including Sally Carrera, Mater, Doc Hudson, Ramone, Flo, Luigi, Guido, Fillmore, and Sheriff. Its businesses and landmarks include the Cozy Cone Motel, Flo’s V8 Café, Ramone’s House of Body Art, and the Wheel Well Motel.

The town’s decline reflects the opening of Interstate 40, which redirects traffic away from Route 66. Pixar researched real Route 66 communities, and the film uses that history to connect the fictional town with the changing American road landscape.