Palmdale, California: R. Lee Ermey Musical Road
It plays the Marine Corps Hymn when you drive across its rumble strips at 45 mph. R. Lee Ermey was the actor (and retired Marine) who starred as the drill sergeant in the movie Full Metal Jacket.
- Address:
- R. Lee Ermey Ave., Palmdale, CA
- Directions:
- 14 Freeway/Antelope Valley Fwy exit 39. Drive east on R. Lee Ermey Ave. (W. Ave. N) for about one mile. Look for the blue Musical Road sign on the right.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
Visitor Tips and News About R. Lee Ermey Musical Road
Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
This roadway has a narrow strip of intermittent grooves, similar to rumble strips, engineered to play 30 seconds of music: the Marine Corps Hymn. It is an improvement over the Musical Road in nearby Lancaster, which was constructed by workers who did not understand their instructions. At this location the grooves are along a narrow strip near the right shoulder of the eastbound side, and signs recommend driving 45 MPH. To hear the music louder, roll down the windows on the right side of your vehicle. This musical road honors R. Lee "Gunny" Ermey, who was a decorated Marine and actor. Gunny is the only Marine to have been brought out of retirement and promoted. In 2002 Marine Corps Commandant James L. Jones promoted Ermey to E-7, Gunnery Sergeant, the rank he portrayed in the movie Full Metal Jacket.
[Craig Baker, 03/14/2024]Nearby Offbeat Places
Aircraft Built at Palmdale Plant 42, Palmdale, CA - 4 mi.
Half-Melted Building, Lancaster, CA - 4 mi.
The Musical Road, Lancaster, CA - 8 mi.Latest Tips Across Roadside America
Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.
Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!
Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.
