In Pixar’s Cars, Radiator Springs is located along Route 66.
The historic highway is central to the film’s setting and themes. Once a major path across the United States, Route 66 carried travelers through many small communities before newer interstate highways redirected much of the traffic.
Cars uses Radiator Springs to show the consequences of that change. The town’s businesses struggle after Interstate 40 bypasses it, leaving the old road quiet. Lightning McQueen’s unexpected arrival brings attention back to the residents and their overlooked history.
Route 66 is also known as the “Main Street of America” and the “Mother Road.” The fictional geography of Cars is not a precise map, but its landscapes, roadside attractions, and local businesses draw heavily from real Route 66 locations and preservation efforts.