In Pixar’s Cars, what fictional town is home to the film’s main roadside community?

In Pixar’s Cars, the main roadside community is the fictional town of Radiator Springs.

Radiator Springs is located along historic U.S. Route 66 in the film’s version of the American Southwest. Lightning McQueen reaches the town after accidentally damaging the road and is ordered to repair it before leaving. The forced stay changes his priorities and introduces him to characters including Mater, Sally Carrera, and Doc Hudson.

The town’s decline is part of its history. When Interstate 40 bypasses the community, travelers stop using the old road, leaving Radiator Springs economically isolated. This fictional history reflects the real effect that interstate highways had on many Route 66 towns during the twentieth century.

Cars presents Radiator Springs as both a setting and a character. Its businesses, landmarks, and residents represent different periods of American roadside culture. Sally, who once worked in a large city, helps restore the town’s tourism, while Lightning’s friendship with the community gives him a more generous view of success.