As U.S. Route 66 approaches its centennial in 2026, interest in the historic highway is growing once again. Nearly a century after it connected Chicago to Santa Monica, this iconic road still captures the spirit of American travel and inspired Pixar’s beloved film Cars. Disney and Pixar Animation Studios released the movie in 2006, creating an instant hit that led to sequels, spin-offs, and a themed land at Disney California Adventure. Although Radiator Springs is fictional, real locations along Route 66 inspired the filmmakers and later Walt Disney Imagineers. Visitors can explore actual sites that brought the animated town to life, including Cadillac Ranch in Texas and various roadside attractions. The highway stretches over 2,000 miles through multiple states before ending at Santa Monica’s ocean pier. Many towns lost their main income when faster routes emerged, but Historic Route 66 remains drivable for about 85 percent of its original length. Museums dedicated to the route exist in each state it passes through, with a national museum located in Oklahoma.
