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All the United States California R. Lee Ermey Musical Road
AO Edited

R. Lee Ermey Musical Road

The road plays 30 seconds of the Marine’s Hymn when driving over the grooved pavement.

Palmdale, California

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Craig Baker
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Musical Road Ahead   Craig Baker / Atlas Obscura User
Musical Road   Craig Baker / Atlas Obscura User
Musical Rumble Strip   Craig Baker / Atlas Obscura User
Reduce to 45 MPH   Craig Baker / Atlas Obscura User
to hear the song   Craig Baker / Atlas Obscura User
R Lee Ermey Ave (Avenue N)   Craig Baker / Atlas Obscura User
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This location honors R. Lee “Gunny” Ermey, who was a decorated Marine and an actor in movies and on television. Gunny is the only Marine to have been brought out of retirement and promoted. In 2002, the Marine Corps promoted Ermey to E-7 Gunnery Sergeant, the rank he portrayed in the movie Full Metal Jacket.In 2018 the city of Palmdale created a permanent tribute to Gunny by renaming Avenue N as R. Lee Ermey Avenue He and his family lived nearby for 24 years.This roadway has a special feature, a narrow strip of intermittent grooves near the right shoulder, similar to rumble strips on roadways. As you drive over these grooves, the road will produce about 30 seconds of the "Marines' 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, just under a mile east of the 14 freeway, the grooves are along the eastbound side, and signs recommend driving 45 miles per hour, in an area where the speed limit is 55 miles per hour. (Tip: The music is louder with the windows open on the right side of your vehicle.)Just beyond the Musical Road at Sierra Highway is BJ’s Corner, where observers watch for military aircraft taking off from Air Force Plant 42, home of the B-1, B-2, F-117, Space Shuttle, and the new B-21 Stealth Bomber. 

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Highways Musical Roads Roadside Attractions Music Roads

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Added By

Craig Baker

Published

August 1, 2024

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R. Lee Ermey Musical Road
R. Lee Ermey Avenue
Palmdale, California
United States
34.631066, -118.139608
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Nearby Places

Blackbird Airpark

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of California

California

United States

Places 1,510
Stories 136

Nearby Places

Blackbird Airpark

Palmdale, California

miles away

Civic Musical Road

Lancaster, California

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Agua Dulce, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of California

California

United States

Places 1,510
Stories 136

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