The Real-Life Places Along Route 66 that Inspired Cars
The 2006 Pixar film Cars has quickly become a classic among boys and girls alike. It’s heartwarming characters and messages about acceptance and community make it one of Pixar’s finest feel-good flicks. What I didn’t realize, until this road trip, is just how much of the story of Radiator Springs is based on the real story of Route 66.
A LITTLE HISTORY
A little history lesson before we dive into an overview of my trip and recommendations for you as you hit the open road this summer. Route 66 in its heyday (which lasted from the 1930s to the 1960s) was ALIVE. It stretched all the way from Chicago to LA, was the way to travel to the west coast, and those who held various businesses along this essential thoroughfare became prosperous. When Interstate 40 showed up in 1967 things slowly started to collapse for this once vibrant little highway. It was officially removed from the United States Highway System in 1985 and most places of business shuttered their doors forever. Sound familiar?
What does this mean for a Route 66 road trip today? Well, it means that driving the original route all the way from Chicago to LA can’t really be done anymore… because it doesn’t exist. What does exist are little pockets of the old route that are now deemed “National Scenic Byways”. These areas are labeled with signs that say “Historic Route 66” and can be seen off of Interstate 40. This is not at all what I expected but it did allow me to move through my stops more quickly than I would have been able to otherwise.
There are actually quite a few of these historic sections, between Kansas and Arizona, for curious road trippers to explore. On my drive, I focused exclusively on the places that inspired Pixar’s Cars but there are lots of other famous places to visit if you want to make this a week and a half adventure. I did not have enough time to do that so I had to pick and choose.
PLANNING YOUR OWN TRIP
Before I go over my itinerary, I am going to make a recommendation, especially for families with small children. I would plan for at least 6 days to do this route. I did mine in a total of 4 days and it was WAY too overly ambitious (even for me, a person who loves 8+ hour car rides). If you plan on driving about 4 or 5 hours each day, then you’ll have time to really explore these places and chat with the interesting characters who keep them afloat. That’s where the real memories are made. I was lucky enough to have a few of those experiences but I definitely had to limit them because of the tight timeline I was under.
It may also be helpful to hold off on booking hotels until you’re on the road (if this is something you feel comfortable with). Doing this will allow more flexibility in the schedule. I booked my hotels in advance and was held to those reservations. In each case, my reservation location wasn’t the most ideal place for me to spend the night. I did my best to plan out how many hours I’d be on the road each day but it’s hard to predict just how much time you’ll spend in each location.
CARS-INSPIRED ITINERARY
Now for the meat and potatoes of this post: where to actually go. The following locations were chosen after I’d read pretty much every article I could find on the making of this movie. Some of these are more exciting than others, which I’ll call out below. If you’re looking for your own resources to prepare for your trip, then you might want to check out “Route 66: The Mother Road” by Michael Wallis. This was the book that inspired John Lasseter to do his own exploratory trip down the famous road in preparation for the movie concept. (Michael Wallis also played tour guide to the Pixar crew and introduced them to the places and owners mentioned throughout this post).
Cars on the Route – Galena, Kansas
I began my road trip in Galena, Kansas at Cars on the Route. This fully restored Kan-O-tex service station is home to the original truck that inspired the design of Tow Mater. Since the release of the film, Cars on the Route has fully embraced their tie to the popular franchise, having acquired additional vehicles that look like characters from the film. Inside you can purchase souvenirs and food, and if you’re lucky, you may even be able to chat with one of the four original owners of the shop. Make sure to check the hours of operation (especially during the pandemic) before you go as they are not open every day. I got the dates wrong and showed up on a day that they were not open but I was still able to see the cars out front.
Around the corner from the store is another homage to the film. You can see a car that looks like Sheriff up on a pole, watching for speeders heading to Route 66. There are also other fun murals and cardboard cut outs that could be fun for kids.
This stop is about 5 hours from the next, so depending on where you are coming from this may not be the most practical addition to your road trip. If you definitely want to do this I would recommend making it the only Cars-related stop on that day.
Sandhill Curiosity Shop – Erick, Oklahoma
The next stop on my list was the Sandhill Curiosity Shop. This is a very famous location along Route 66. And it’s not as much a “shop” as it is a museum of sorts. Inside nothing is for sale but you can look through the many large collections of memorabilia that date back to the early 1900s and beyond.
Sandhill was purchased by Harley and Annabelle Russell in the late 80s and they spent their lifetimes collecting antiques that would add to the story of the place. Sandhill Curiosity Shop quickly became a must-see stop on Route 66, as much for the antiquities as for its owners’ unique personalities. There is even some speculation that Larry the Cable Guy based his accent for Mater on Harley’s. Sadly, Annabelle passed away from cancer in 2014 but Harley is still there, happy to greet visitors and entertain them with his songs and stories.
The shop doesn’t have set hours and I got really lucky because Harley saw me outside and came over to greet me. If you want to make sure he’s there, I recommend calling Harley to let him know you’ll be coming (580-526-3738).
U-Drop Inn – Shamrock, Texas
Just past the Oklahoma/Texas border lies the U-Drop Inn. This beautifully restored location was built in 1936 as a gas station and café for passersby traveling along the route. It was a stunning place known for its unusual art deco designs. After the building fell into disrepair following the opening of Interstate 40, the city took possession of the building and submitted it for recognition as part of the National Register of Historic Places.
U-Drop Inn is said to have been the inspiration for some of the architecture in Radiator Springs, most notably Ramone’s body shop. You can see the incredible resemblance, especially if you’ve been to Ramone’s in Disney’s California Adventure theme park.
(Also, if you happen to own a Tesla, it is home to a Tesla supercharging station).
The Big Texan & Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo, Texas
The next two stops are located near Amarillo. The first was the Big Texas Steak Ranch. This establishment is right off of I-40 and home to the very famous 72oz steak challenge (where patrons are given one hour to consume a 72oz steak + a slew of sides. If they eat it all, they get the meal for free along with lots of bragging rights. If they don’t, they pay $72.)
Outside of the Big Texan are several old Cadillacs and Buicks made famous by the large bullhorns attached to the front of their hoods. These vehicles were said to be the inspiration for Tex Dinoco in the film. (There is also an old western-themed motel right next door that reminded me a lot of the Hotel Cheyenne in Disneyland Paris, for those of you who are Disney parks “super fans”).
The second stop was Cadillac Ranch. This public art installation was created in the 1970s by a group of art students who were challenging the architectural norms of the day. It features 10 old Cadillacs that are buried into the ground. Visitors are encouraged to purchase spray paint upon arrival (or bring your own) and to participate in the art of the cars by tagging them with their own graffiti. This site too was visited by the Pixar team and is said to have inspired the rock formations that make up the backdrop to Radiator Springs.
Midpoint Café – Adrian, Texas
Halfway between Chicago and Los Angeles lies the famous Midpoint Café. It was built in 1928 and is known as the oldest continuously operating café along Route 66 from Amarillo to Tucumcari.
Not only was this the actual midpoint along Route 66 but it’s also served as the inspiration for Flo’s. Flo’s character was based on former owner Fran Houser, and many aspects of the café also served as inspiration for her café in the film. Fran sold Midpoint café in 2012 but is still known to visit quite frequently. Who knows, you might just run into her on your trip!
Tucumcari Mountain & Blue Swallow Motel – Tucumcari, New Mexico
The next town to stop at along your Cars-inspired adventure is Tucumcari in New Mexico. When you pull of I-40, you can’t miss Tucumcari Mountain. This was the inspiration for the mountain behind Radiator Springs. If you look very closely, you can see a “T” painted on the hillside of the mountain. This is where the “RS” came from in the movie.
Further into Tucumcari, you will find the Blue Swallow Motel. Founded in 1939, this quaint roadside stop is still fully functioning and an excellent option for those looking for accommodations along the way. Granted the “Travelers’ Choice” Award in both 2016 and 2018 by Trip Advisor, the Blue Swallow really is a little oasis in the desert. (In hindsight I wish I would have spent the night here.) The neon signage at the Blue Swallow Motel helped inform Pixar animators as they created much of the signage throughout Radiator Springs, most notably the “100% Refrigerated Air” outside of the Cozy Cone Motel.
66 Diner – Albuquerque, New Mexico
It is a LONG haul from Tucumcari to Arizona where the remainder of the stops lie. To break-up the journey, I stopped at the 66 Diner in Albuquerque, New Mexico which is said to have inspired the stainless steel décor of Flo’s Café. Stepping inside the diner, I felt like I was stepping inside Flo’s in Disney’s California Adventure. The resemblances are uncanny.
I would most definitely recommend taking the time to eat here as well. The food was OUTSTANDING. I had the Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas and the 66 Diner Pink Cadillac (which is basically a strawberry shake with Oreos), and quite frankly, I wish Flo’s would start serving these. At the time of writing this article, New Mexico was strictly enforcing their mask wearing policies and the 66 Diner took every one of the CDC’s health precautions. They not only required you to wear masks until you got to your table but also carefully sat patrons very far apart. I was the only person seated in my entire section. If you still don’t feel comfortable dining in, you can also order your food to go.
Yellowhorse Trading Post – Lupton, Arizona
If you’re short on time, you can skip this next stop which can easily be seen as you drive along I-40 anyway. The Yellowhorse Trading Post is a famous souvenir stop along Route 66 and used to be located in an alcove similar to the one that the Wheel Well Motel in the film was in. Ironically enough, (prior to McQueens heroic performance at the Piston Cup, if you’re a fan of the film), both this fiction location and the real one, seemed to have fallen on hard times.
Wigwam Motel – Holbrook, Arizona
The Wigwam Motel in Holbrook is actually part of a larger chain known as the Wigwam Villages that were quite popular in the 30s and 40s, and served as the inspiration for the design of the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars. While there are very few of these motels left in existence, the one in Holbrook has been carefully preserved as part of the National Park Services program. It’s located very close to the Petrified Forest National Park and could be an interesting option for accommodations if you want to take your visit to the next level. You’ll need to make advanced reservations if you want to spend the night in one of these teepee’s, however.
Side Note: If you have the time, check out the Petrified Forest. It is a unique National Park and there are lots of great family friendly things to do within it.
Jack Rabbit Trading Post – Joseph City, Arizona
Next up for me was the Jack Rabbit Trading Post located in Joseph City. This convenience store was founded in 1949 and quickly became famous for a series of billboards featuring the silhouette of a jack rabbit that stretched from Missouri to Arizona and ended outside the trading post with a large sign that read “Here It Is”. Instead of a jack rabbit, Pixar animators created their own version using the silhouette of a 1923 Ford, which also happens to be the body of “Lizzie” from the film.
Meteor City Trading Post – Winslow, Arizona
While the exit for Meteor City does still exist off of I-40, the once booming trading post has unfortunately fallen into disrepair, being abandoned and left to vandals in 2012. Meteor City began as a gas station in the 1930s but gained popularity when its famous dome was built in 1979. The geometric design of the building influenced the design of Fillmore’s Trading Post in the film.
This location also used to be home to the “World’s Longest Map of Route 66” which was painted by famed Route 66 advocate Bob Waldmire, who was also the inspiration behind the character of Fillmore. (Waldmire drove a 1972 Volkswagen Microbus). Sadly, due to the deteriorating condition of this stop, the map is no longer visible but there is hope to be had! The site was recently purchased by a couple from Indiana who are planning to restore the location.
Havasu Falls – Havasu Falls, Arizona
While not located along the route itself, Havasu Falls is only a short distance from Flagstaff. Here you’ll find the famous waterfall in the Grand Canyon that inspired the one that Lightning McQueen and Sally admire during their tour of the countryside. This same waterfall is one of the crowning features of the Radiator Springs Racers ride in Disney’s California Adventure. Havasu Falls is not currently open for visitors but I imagine that restrictions will start lifting at various National Parks as we continue to move into the summer.
Hackberry General Store – Kingsman, Arizona
Speaking of Waldmire, he is responsible for re-opening the next stop in this itinerary. In 1992 as part of his efforts to restore Route 66 and bring attention to forgotten towns, Waldmire purchased the general store and turned it into an information center for tourists. In its prime, Hackberry was a service station but like many establishments, with the opening of Interstate 40, it ceased to exist, all along with all business in this tiny town of less than 100 residents. Hackberry General Store (in addition to Sandhill Curiosity Shop) served as inspiration for Lizzie’s general store in Radiator Springs. You can see similarities between the two, especially when it comes to the vintage gas pumps.
Oatman Highway & Sitgreaves Pass – Oatman, Arizona
Last on the list is Oatman, Arizona. Oatman got its start as a gold mining town and over time transitioned into a rest stop along Route 66 after the gold dried up. Today Oatman is all but a ghost town, holding onto much of its western heritage. The wild burros that roam freely through the streets were said to have inspired the mini tractors that roam the streets of Radiator Springs in the film.
The final stop along our journey is Sitgreaves Pass which provided inspiration for the beautiful landscapes that McQueen and Sally drive through in their scene outside of Radiator Springs. That said, there are in fact many areas of Arizona that are reminiscent of the nature surrounding Radiator Springs so you don’t necessarily need to drive through Sitgreaves Pass to feel those vibes.
IN CONCLUSION
That concludes my overview of the stops along Route 66 that inspired Cars. I hope you found this post helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to include in the comments section or email me directly. You may also want to check out my list of road trip essentials as you begin planning your journey!
I’ve also created a Google Map with pins to each stop. Click on the link below to access.
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