In Pixar's Cars, what town does Lightning McQueen reach after getting lost on Route 66?

In Pixar's Cars, Lightning McQueen reaches Radiator Springs after getting lost on Route 66.

The fictional town is located along historic U.S. Route 66 in Carburetor County, a vehicle-themed version of the American Southwest. Lightning arrives while trying to get to California for the tiebreaker race of the Piston Cup season.

After damaging the road, Lightning is ordered to repair it before leaving. His time in Radiator Springs introduces him to Doc Hudson, Sally Carrera, Mater, and the town's other residents. Their friendship changes his priorities and helps him understand that racing success is not everything.

The setting reflects Pixar's interest in Route 66, which declined after the U.S. Interstate Highway System redirected traffic away from many small towns. Cars helped renew popular interest in the road's landscapes, roadside businesses, and history.