You Can Visit the Small Town in New Mexico That Inspired the Disney Movie ‘Cars’

When you think about Disney movies, Tucumcari, a small town on Historic Route 66 in New Mexico, might be the last place you would consider. Whether you're a kid or an adult, we've all imagined what it would be like to step inside these fictional movie destinations in real life. Even though the town of Radiator Springs in Disney's "Cars" is one of these fictional places, Tucumcari played a big role in inspiring the movie "Cars." From the neon light hotels to the unusual storefronts to the expansive desert mountains in the backdrop, the town isn’t afraid to show its quirky side. And we believe this unexpected place is worth pulling over on your next trip to northeastern, New Mexico.

While many different towns situated along Historic Route 66 served as sources of inspiration for the Disney movie "Cars," Tucumcari played a big role in some of the most iconic scenes in the Pixar film. The movie is set in a fictional town called Radiator Springs. While this town is purely fictional, Historic Route 66 is not, and many of the landmarks in the film were inspired by real places.

They include Baxter Springs, a small historic town in Kansas, Peach Springs, a remote town in Arizona, and even elements of Tucumcari right here in New Mexico. These destinations are iconic because they're a glimpse into preserved Americana, with retro motels with neon signs, quirky roadside attractions, and vintage diners where roadtrippers can stop and eat a slice of homemade pie. The people are friendly, the places feel nostalgic, and like you're stepping back into a time gone but not lost or forgotten.

One of the most memorable contributions to the film was Tucumcari's Blue Swallow Motel. In the movie, there's a famous neon sign that says "100% Refrigerated Air." You can visit this sign in real life at the Blue Swallow Motel. The hotel was built in the late 1930s, and it is one of the few remaining motor court-style hotels. At night, the blue glowing neon sign of the swallow, as well as its classic Route 66 decor, beckons roadtrippers to pull over, and many will spend the night.

Another notable view in the movie is the big mountain in the backdrop that is seemingly shaped like a radiator cap. This is actually Tucumcari Mountain, which is over 4,000 feet tall. In "Cars," the mountain is painted with an "RS" for Radiator Springs, but in reality, the residents of Tucumcari have hand-painted the mountain with a "T."

Tucumcari is filled with retro hotels, shops like the Route 66 Welcome Center and Gift Shop, and killer places to eat like Del's Restaurant and SideKix on 66, which may not have inspired "Cars" directly but are an ode to the movie's feel. Some have mistaken the TeePee Curios souvenir shop for the Cozy Cone Motel in the movie, but this was actually based on the two Wigwam Motels in Holbrook, Arizona, and San Bernardino, California.

As you can see, this small desert town in New Mexico feels a lot like Radiator Springs in real life, but the best part is that you can actually visit it. After trying the fantastic restaurants and staying in a retro hotel, you won't even need to escape to the fictional town of Radiator Springs.

And if you need another reason to stay longer, the town has the largest collection of dinosaur skeletons in America at the Mesalands Dinosaur Museum. Seeing the life-size creatures will be a great addition to your trip, especially if you have the little ones with you. There are opportunities to learn and let your imagination flow as you walk through the giant displays.

Before visiting Radiator Springs in real life and looking for other things to do in Tucumcari, New Mexico, check out the New Mexico Tourism page for some recommendations. And if you are planning a road trip, check out these iconic Route 66 destinations that you don't want to drive by.