In Pixar's Cars, Lightning McQueen passes through historic Route 66 near Radiator Springs.
The fictional town is located along the old U.S. Route 66, the highway that once connected Chicago and Los Angeles. Lightning enters the area while being transported to California and becomes stranded after a nighttime escape from his hauler. The setting allows the film to explore a roadside community affected by the opening of a faster interstate route.
Route 66 is a major visual and historical influence on Cars. The film references roadside attractions, neon signs, desert landscapes, and towns whose economies depended on travelers. Several real Route 66 locations and design traditions influenced Radiator Springs, although the town itself is fictional.
Route 66 is different from Interstate 40, which replaced much of its long-distance traffic in the Southwest. The film's road setting is therefore not merely a generic desert backdrop; it is tied to a recognizable chapter of American transportation history.