Route 66 is the historic route that once brought travelers through Radiator Springs in Pixar’s Cars.
The fictional town’s prosperity depends on its position along Route 66, the famous U.S. highway that connected Chicago and Santa Monica. When Interstate 40 is built nearby, traffic bypasses the town, leaving its businesses and attractions in decline.
This background is central to the film’s setting rather than a minor geographic detail. Lightning McQueen’s arrival brings attention and visitors back to Radiator Springs, while the townspeople’s memories preserve the community’s connection to the old road.
Route 66 itself was established in 1926 and officially removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985. Pixar used real roadside history, desert landscapes, and surviving Route 66 landmarks as inspiration for the town’s appearance.