In Pixar’s Cars, Radiator Springs once served travelers on Route 66.
The fictional town is presented as a roadside community whose fortunes decline after Interstate 40 bypasses it. That story reflects a real pattern along U.S. Route 66, where many towns lost through-traffic after newer interstate highways offered faster routes.
Route 66 was established in 1926 and connected Chicago with Los Angeles. It became famous through migration, tourism, roadside businesses and popular culture. The historic highway was removed from the United States Highway System in 1985, but surviving sections and attractions remain important parts of American travel history.
Cars uses this historical background to make Radiator Springs more than a random setting. The town’s forgotten businesses, old signs and local characters are tied to the decline and revival of classic road travel.