Which fictional town is Lightning McQueen forced to stay in during Pixar’s Cars?

Lightning McQueen is forced to stay in Radiator Springs during Pixar’s Cars.

After accidentally damaging the town’s main road while fleeing from the police, Lightning is ordered to repair it before leaving. The experience changes the film from a racing story into a character story: he meets residents including Mater, Sally Carrera, Doc Hudson, Flo, Ramone, and Sheriff.

Radiator Springs is a fictional community in Carburetor County. Its decline is tied to the construction of a faster interstate highway that bypasses the old road, reducing passing traffic and hurting local businesses. This background reflects the history of many real communities along older American highways after interstate routes redirected travelers.

The town is closely associated with historic Route 66, which inspired parts of the film’s landscapes and road culture. Radiator Springs is not the same as Carburetor County: the latter is the county, while Radiator Springs is the town. Pixar later recreated the setting at Disney theme parks, including Cars Land at Disney California Adventure.