What fictional town does Lightning McQueen discover in Pixar’s Cars?

In Pixar’s Cars, Lightning McQueen discovers the fictional town of Radiator Springs.

The town is located along historic U.S. Route 66 in the film’s version of the American Southwest. After accidentally damaging the road, Lightning is ordered to repair it before leaving. This requirement introduces him to the residents and changes his priorities.

Radiator Springs is closely associated with Route 66, the famous highway that once connected Chicago and Santa Monica. Pixar artists researched the road and its communities while developing the film, using the region’s landscapes, roadside businesses, and changing fortunes as inspiration.

The town’s residents include Mater, Sally Carrera, Doc Hudson, and Ramone. A common mix-up is calling Radiator Springs a real Arizona or California town; it is fictional, although its design draws on real Route 66 locations. The town becomes a central setting again in Cars 3.