Most people enjoy music in their cars, but some roads let the pavement do the singing. Yes, musical highways are real, and they’re turning ordinary drives into extraordinary experiences. These roads that play music use carefully placed grooves to produce melodies when cars drive over them at the right speed.
Here are seven fascinating highway music roads from around the world:
1. Denmark – The Birthplace of Musical Roads
The world’s first musical road, the Asphaltophone, was built in 1995 in Gylling, Denmark. Artists Steen Krarup Jensen and Jakob Freud-Magnus used road grooves to create a melody—pioneering the idea of turning asphalt into an instrument.
2. France – A Short-Lived Tune
France joined the trend in 2000 with a musical stretch in Villepinte. Though it was later paved over, drivers still recall faint notes from their tires, proving its lingering charm.
3. United States – Patriotic Overtures
America’s most famous musical road lies in Lancaster, California. Called the Civic Musical Road, it played the “William Tell Overture.” Another section on Route 66 in New Mexico plays “America the Beautiful,” encouraging drivers to maintain safe speeds.
4. Japan – Leading the Way
Japan is home to more than 30 musical roads, the highest number globally. The innovation began by accident but now includes popular tunes like “Always with Me” from Spirited Away and the theme from Neon Genesis Evangelion. These roads combine tourism and traffic safety.
5. South Korea – Songs for Safety
Near Anyang, a stretch of road plays “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” It’s not just for fun—this tune keeps sleepy drivers alert and focused, proving that music can save lives.
6. Indonesia – Birthday Beats
On the Ngawi–Kertosono Toll Road, Indonesian drivers hear the tune of “Happy Birthday.” Installed to promote steady speeds, this musical lane has helped lower accident rates on that route.
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7. Hungary – A Rocking Tribute
In 2019, Hungary unveiled a musical road that plays “67-es út” by the band Republic. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the band’s late singer, László Bódi (Cipő), and offers drivers a 30-second musical journey when they drive at the right speed.
