Radiator Springs in Pixar's Cars is based on communities along Route 66. The historic U.S. highway inspired the town's roadside businesses, desert scenery, and story about a once-busy route losing traffic after a newer interstate bypass opened.
Pixar artists and filmmakers researched Route 66 during development of Cars. They visited towns, landmarks, diners, bridges, and other roadside locations, gathering visual details for the fictional setting. Radiator Springs combines features from multiple places rather than copying one town exactly.
Route 66 originally connected Chicago and Santa Monica, crossing several states in the American Southwest. Its decline after the Interstate Highway System changed long-distance travel became an important theme in the film. The abandoned roads and quiet businesses help explain why Radiator Springs feels forgotten.
The road is also called the Will Rogers Highway and the Main Street of America. Cars helped renew public interest in Route 66 landmarks, including the real-life inspiration behind the town's neon signs, mountain shapes, and roadside architecture.