Route 66 inspired the setting and roadside culture of Pixar's Cars.
The filmmakers researched historic Route 66, the former U.S. Highway that connected Chicago and Santa Monica, to develop Radiator Springs and its surrounding landscape. The road's declining roadside towns, landmark businesses, and changing transportation patterns became central to the film's atmosphere.
In the story, Radiator Springs suffers after Interstate 40 bypasses the town, diverting travelers and damaging local businesses. Lightning McQueen's accidental stay allows him to discover the community's history and the value of slowing down.
Cars uses fictional locations rather than presenting a literal map of Route 66. Several real Route 66 communities and landmarks influenced the design, including locations in Arizona and New Mexico. This is why the film is often associated with the real highway even though Radiator Springs itself is fictional.