In Pixar's Cars, Radiator Springs' lost prosperity is associated with Route 66.
The town once benefited from travelers using the historic highway, but its business declined after Interstate 40 bypassed Radiator Springs. The film uses this fictional history to show how changes in transportation can transform small roadside communities.
Route 66 was a real United States highway established in 1926. It connected Chicago and Santa Monica and became famous through travel, migration, roadside businesses, and popular culture. The route was removed from the United States Highway System in 1985, although many historic sections remain important tourist destinations.
Cars draws on the appearance and spirit of real Route 66 towns, especially in the American Southwest. The story does not place Radiator Springs on an exact real-world map. Instead, it turns the highway's history into the setting for Lightning McQueen's change from a self-centered racer into a more considerate friend.