In Pixar's Cars, which real highway inspired the film's fictional Route 66 setting?

In Pixar's Cars, the fictional Route 66 setting is inspired by U.S. Route 66.

The film follows Lightning McQueen into Radiator Springs, a community portrayed as a former roadside stop whose business declines after a faster interstate bypasses it. That setup reflects the history of many real communities along U.S. Route 66, the historic highway connecting Chicago and Santa Monica.

Pixar artists and filmmakers researched Route 66 communities while developing the film. The research helped shape the landscapes, roadside businesses, signs, and architecture associated with Radiator Springs. The film does not place the fictional town on a precise real-world map, so it should not be treated as a literal depiction of one specific town.

U.S. Route 66 was established in 1926 and was removed from the United States Numbered Highway System in 1985. It remains culturally important as a symbol of American road travel. Cars helped renew public interest in Route 66 landmarks and supported tourism in several communities along the historic route.