Learning to drive a manual transmission vehicle is a rewarding skill, but finding the right place to practice is key. Jacksonville, Florida, the largest city by area in the contiguous United States, offers plenty of open spaces and parking lots perfect for manual driving practice. Whether you’re new to driving stick shift or looking to refine your skills, here are the top 10 spots in the greater Jacksonville area where you can practice in a safe, low-traffic environment.
1. Regency Square Mall
9501 Arlington Expy, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Regency Square Mall has a large, underutilized parking lot that’s ideal for practicing manual driving. The lot offers ample space with minimal traffic, especially during weekdays. It’s also located near major roads, allowing you to practice city driving once you’re ready.
2. Avenues Mall
10300 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256
This mall is another great option, particularly in the evening when it’s less crowded. The parking lots behind the mall offer a wide-open area to practice gear changes, reversing, and clutch control without the pressure of other vehicles around.
3. St. Johns Town Center
4663 River City Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32246
Located in the Southside area, St. Johns Town Center offers spacious parking areas. While the center itself can get busy, the outer lots, especially near the north end, are quieter and less trafficked during off-peak hours.
4. Florida State College at Jacksonville – South Campus
11901 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246
During evenings and weekends, the campus’s parking lots are mostly empty, providing a safe, controlled environment for practicing manual driving. It’s an ideal spot if you’re looking for a place with minimal interruptions.
5. Ed Austin Regional Park
11751 McCormick Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
While primarily a sports and recreation park, Ed Austin Regional Park has some isolated parking areas near the back that are generally quiet. It’s an excellent spot to work on maneuvering, parking, and stop-and-go driving with a manual vehicle.
6. Orange Park Mall
1910 Wells Rd, Orange Park, FL 32073
Located in the greater Jacksonville area, Orange Park Mall’s parking lots are spacious, especially near the southern entrance. It’s a great spot to practice in a low-stress environment.
7. River City Marketplace
13000 City Station Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32218
Located in North Jacksonville, River City Marketplace has several open parking areas with light traffic during off-peak hours. These lots offer enough space to safely practice shifting gears and stopping on inclines.
8. Jacksonville Equestrian Center
13611 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32221
This location is less conventional but offers plenty of wide-open space, particularly in the large gravel parking areas. It’s ideal for practicing without much interruption, and you can practice handling a vehicle on different surfaces.
9. Craig Municipal Airport
855 St Johns Bluff Rd N, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Craig Municipal Airport has open parking lots around the perimeter that are generally less busy. Practicing here gives you the added benefit of wide, flat areas where you can focus on shifting and gear control without much distraction.
10. Westland Park Plaza
6705 103rd St, Jacksonville, FL 32210
This shopping center on the Westside offers large, open lots that are quiet, especially on weekday mornings and evenings. It’s a convenient spot for anyone in the western part of Jacksonville to practice manual driving.
Conclusion
These locations around Jacksonville and the surrounding areas offer the perfect environment to safely practice your manual driving skills. If you’re looking to get more hands-on instruction or refine your driving techniques, you can book a lesson with Manual Driving Academy here.
