In Pixar’s Cars, what town does Lightning McQueen accidentally damage on Route 66?

In Pixar’s Cars, Lightning McQueen accidentally damages Radiator Springs on Route 66.

After falling from Mack’s transport truck, Lightning becomes separated from the race convoy and ends up in the nearly forgotten desert town. He speeds through the main street while trying to catch up with the convoy, damaging the road surface and attracting the attention of local residents.

The court orders McQueen to repair the road before he can leave. This keeps him in Radiator Springs and introduces him to Doc Hudson, Mater, Sally Carrera, and the rest of the town. The setting is a fictional community inspired by historic Route 66 locations in the American Southwest.

Radiator Springs is often confused with the real town of Radiator Springs, but it is a fictional Pixar creation. Cars uses the town to contrast the fast-moving world of professional racing with the personal connections of an old highway community.