Which fictional town is Lightning McQueen stranded near in Pixar’s Cars?

Lightning McQueen is stranded near the fictional town of Radiator Springs in Pixar’s Cars.

After racing toward California for the Piston Cup tiebreaker, Lightning is accidentally separated from his transport and ends up on roads near the small desert community. His attempt to leave damages the town’s main road, leading a local court to sentence him to repair it.

Radiator Springs becomes the film’s main setting and the place where Lightning changes from a self-centered rookie into a more considerate teammate and friend. He meets characters including Mater, Sally Carrera, Doc Hudson, and Ramone while learning about the town’s history.

The town’s design draws heavily on Route 66 landscapes and roadside communities. It is not the same place as Ornament Valley, the broader surrounding setting associated with the film’s scenery, and it is not a real Arizona or California municipality.