Which highway inspired the setting and road-trip themes of Pixar’s Cars?

U.S. Route 66 inspired the setting and road-trip themes of Pixar’s Cars.

The historic highway ran from Chicago to Santa Monica and became famous for linking communities across the American Southwest. Pixar artists and filmmakers traveled along Route 66 during research for the film, observing its landscapes, roadside attractions, bridges, and small towns.

Radiator Springs is fictional, but its story reflects real communities that lost traffic after interstate highways offered faster routes. The film turns that history into a story about a town that has been overlooked and a racer who learns to appreciate it.

U.S. Route 66 was removed from the United States Highway System in 1985, yet it remains a major cultural symbol. Cars helped renew popular interest in the road’s scenery and roadside heritage.