Where are the Movie Scene Locations and the Truck from Duel (1971)

SetJetting the Filming Locations of "Duel”

By Erik Nachtrieb, SetJetters CEO & Cofounder

Steven Spielberg's directorial debut, "Duel" (1971) took viewers on a gripping journey through real-world locations.

The high-stakes thriller follows traveling salesman David Mann, played by Dennis Weaver, as he encounters a menacing and mysterious tanker truck that relentlessly pursues him on the desolate roads of California's high desert. (Watch the Duel Official Trailer for a quick memory jog!)
Since its release in 1971, enthusiasts have embarked on SetJetting adventures to revisit the locations that shaped "Duel," proving that a film's impact can often extend well beyond the screen.

With the SetJetters film location app, fans can find the exact locations of the scenes and even take a shotsync photo to recreate their favorite moments. Let's drive to these famous locations and explore this intense cinematic journey and other activities available for you nearby.

FILMING LOCATIONS

**Soledad Canyon Road: Tunneling Through Movie Memories**

**Location:** *Soledad Canyon Tunnel - Forest Park, California, USA*

The school bus scene was shot near Soledad Canyon Road at a tunnel location. The turn-off and the tunnel itself remain, surrounded by the same rockwork. The careful alignment of movie frames and current images gives away the location in a ShotSync.

*Image*ⓒ *American Broadcasting Company (ABC) & SetJetters app*

**Highway 14: The Heart of the Chase**

**Location:** *Highway 14, California, USA*

Most of the film unfolds along Highway 14 outside Santa Clarita. The Acton Laundry and gas station - though no longer standing - left a mark on the movie's landscape. The mountains in the background still align with the shots, creating a connection between the past and present.

*Image*ⓒ *Touchstone Pictures & SetJetters app*

**Chuck's Cafe: Time-Traveling to Film History**

**Location:** *Le Chêne French Cuisine, Agua Dulce, California, USA*

Chuck's Cafe, a pivotal location, retains its river rock exterior. Now a French restaurant with a different interior, it allows visitors to sit in the alcove where David contemplated his next move. The view from the window still offers a chance to check for pursuers.

*Image*ⓒ *Touchstone Pictures*

**Railroad Scene: Unveiling Familiar Hills and Tracks**

**Location:** *Thousand Trails Road Railroad Crossing, Acton, California, USA*

The desolate railroad crossing might have changed, but the surrounding hills and road angles reveal its true identity. The truck's departure from this area aligns seamlessly with the movie's sequence, creating a visual link between fiction and reality.

*Image*ⓒ *Touchstone Pictures*

**Snake O' Rama Gas Station: A Changed But Recognizable Location**

**Location:** *Valero Gas Station & Pepper Tree Liquor, Agua Dulce, California, USA*

The gas station where David narrowly avoids the truck crushing the phone booth still stands, albeit with changes. While the station itself looks different, the open lot area to the right remains, offering a chance to recreate that iconic moment.

*Image*ⓒ *Touchstone Pictures*

**Mesa Drive: Heading Towards the Climax**

**Location:** *Mesa Drive off Vasquez Canyon Road, California, USA*

The final scene takes us up onto Mesa Drive, with an accessible off-ramp still present today. This journey through time sets the stage for the intense conclusion as the truck hurtles towards the cliff.

*Image*ⓒ *Touchstone Pictures*

WHERE IS THE TRUCK FROM DUEL?

The quest to find the truck from the 1971 movie "Duel" is a journey filled with mystery, rumors, and intriguing revelations. Understanding the fate of the original truck involved uncovering the details surrounding its demise at the bottom of the cliff during filming.

According to "The Drive" magazine, (we can no longer find this link) the original TV movie featured a 1955 Peterbilt 281, which was destroyed during the cliff scene. Rumors suggest that fragments of the truck may still be found at the location, emphasizing the sacrifice of the original vehicle for cinematic art.

To bring a longer version of the film to theaters, two similar trucks were crafted for additional scenes. The surviving truck used in the theatrical release is a 1961 Peterbilt 351, equipped with a tanker from 1946. Contrary to initial beliefs, truck enthusiasts claim that the original truck, rather than the copy, was the one sent off the cliff. This implies that the copy truck indeed lives on.

"10-4 Magazine" reveals the existence of an exact copy truck created for the theatrical release. The only differences lie in the air cleaners and a change in engines from CAT to Cummins, featured on a 1960s Peterbilt.

*This truck was said to have been parked in Agua Dulce, California, for three decades. Until 2022, it was visible on a* *car collector's lot in Lincolnton, North Carolina*.

Complicating the search, claims arose that a copy truck resides in Jerome, Arizona. However, a thorough comparison of the truck in North Carolina and the one in Jerome reveals significant differences in the grill, bumper, upper cab lights, and the tank build. While the North Carolina truck appears to be a near-exact copy of the movie truck, questions linger about its authenticity.

The investigation raises intriguing questions: Were two copies made for theatrical release, and if so, where is the second copy? Is the truck in Jerome, Arizona, a rudimentary version or unrelated to the movie "Duel"? Is there a third copy yet to be discovered?

The elusive nature of the truck's whereabouts adds an extra layer of mystery to the legacy of "Duel" and fuels the curiosity of movie enthusiasts and SetJetters alike. The quest to find the truck becomes not just a search for a vehicle but a journey through the cinematic history of a Steven Spielberg classic.

Conclusion

"Duel" not only left an indelible mark on cinema but also imprinted its scenes onto real-world locations.

Exploring these places today allows fans to step into the shoes of David Mann and witness the enduring legacy of Spielberg's first masterpiece.

The debate over the truck's driver and the rumored remnants at the cliff's bottom only add to the mystique of this cinematic classic. As we continue to celebrate film history, "Duel" stands as a testament to the timeless connection between the silver screen and the world around us.

Where are the Movie Scene Locations and the Truck from Duel (1971)?

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