U.S. Route 66 helped inspire Radiator Springs in Pixar's Cars.
Route 66 was one of the original U.S. highways, established in 1926. It connected Chicago with Santa Monica and became strongly associated with long-distance travel, roadside businesses, motels, diners, and the changing American West. The construction of interstate highways later diverted much traffic away from many Route 66 communities.
For Cars, Pixar filmmakers traveled along historic roads and visited places affected by the decline of traditional highway travel. Radiator Springs reflects that history: it was once a busy stop for travelers, but the town lost traffic when a faster interstate bypassed it.
Radiator Springs is fictional, so it is not a literal town on Route 66. Its design combines influences from several real places and landmarks. This distinction explains why Route 66 is the supporting inspiration, rather than the name of a real Cars location.