U.S. Route 66 inspired the setting and journey in Pixar's Cars.
The historic highway connected Chicago and Los Angeles and became a major symbol of American road travel. In Cars, Radiator Springs sits beside a forgotten stretch of road that loses traffic after the newer Interstate 40 bypasses it. That fictional history reflects the decline experienced by many real Route 66 communities.
Pixar artists and filmmakers traveled along Route 66 during the film's development. They studied roadside businesses, landscapes, signs, and local stories to build the visual identity of Radiator Springs. The town's characters and landmarks therefore draw from several places rather than copying one town exactly.
Route 66 was removed from the United States Highway System in 1985, but preserved sections remain a major tourism destination. The road's cultural importance is a central background idea in Cars.