Does Radiator Springs Really Exist?

Radiator Springs is a fictional Arizona town and the principal setting of the Disney/Pixar franchise Cars. A composite of multiple real-world locations on the historic U.S. Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles, it is most prominently featured in the 2006 film, and is home to a majority of the franchise's characters.

Is Radiator Springs based off a real town?

The fictional movie town of Radiator Springs, faithfully replicated at Disney's Anaheim theme park, draws inspiration from a number of locations along a 1,000-mile stretch of Route 66 between Kingman, Ariz., and Tulsa, Okla.

Is there a real life Radiator Springs?

First, the Radiator Springs shown in “Cars” is a fictional town. Historic Route 66 exists. On the real Route 66, there is a Baxter Springs in Kansas and a Peach Springs in Arizona. But Radiator Springs does not exist except in the imaginations of Pixar's artists and writers.

Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne

Automotive & Future Transportation Editor

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.