In Pixar’s Cars, the desert town where Lightning McQueen meets its residents is Radiator Springs.
Radiator Springs is a fictional community on U.S. Route 66 in Carburetor County. After accidentally damaging the road, Lightning McQueen is ordered to repair it before leaving town. The punishment changes his goal from winning the Piston Cup to understanding the town and its residents.
The town is inspired by real Route 66 locations in the American Southwest. Pixar artists and filmmakers researched the historic highway, including roadside businesses, landscapes, and small communities that declined after interstate highways diverted traffic.
Radiator Springs is sometimes confused with Ornament Valley, the broader landscape surrounding it in the films and related games. Its best-known residents include Mater, Sally Carrera, Doc Hudson, and Flo.