In Pixar's Cars, which real American highway inspired Radiator Springs?

In Pixar's Cars, U.S. Route 66 inspired Radiator Springs.

The filmmakers researched Route 66 to capture its roadside architecture, desert scenery, local businesses, and history. The highway became a key visual and thematic influence on Radiator Springs, a town whose prosperity declined after newer interstate roads diverted traffic.

Route 66 historically connected Chicago and Santa Monica. It became famous through migration, tourism, and popular culture before being removed from the United States Numbered Highway System in 1985.

Radiator Springs is not a direct copy of one real town. Instead, it combines details from several Route 66 locations, including landmarks and communities visited by the Cars production team. The film helped renew public interest in the highway's cultural heritage.