Albuquerque, New Mexico, known for its stunning desert landscapes and the iconic Sandia Mountains, offers a variety of wide, open spaces perfect for practicing manual driving. Whether you’re a beginner or want to perfect your skills, Albuquerque’s vast parking lots and lightly trafficked areas provide an ideal setting. The city is also known for its diverse terrain, which makes it a great place to master the art of manual driving, as you’ll experience different road conditions across its urban and suburban regions.
Here are eight great places around the Albuquerque area to practice driving a stick shift.
Coronado Center Parking Lot – 6600 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
The Coronado Center offers an expansive parking lot that’s typically less crowded during weekdays. It provides enough space to practice shifting, clutch control, and braking without too much external pressure. It’s especially quiet in the morning, making it perfect for beginners who need a bit of extra time to adjust.
Cottonwood Mall Parking Lot – 10000 Coors Bypass NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Cottonwood Mall, located on the northwest side of the city, has a spacious parking lot with various inclines, making it ideal for hill-start practice. Be sure to head there in the early morning or late afternoon when the mall traffic is low.
Journal Center – 7777 Jefferson St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
This business park area has numerous wide roads and parking lots that remain fairly empty on weekends. It’s a great space to practice shifting and maneuvering in a controlled environment, with plenty of room for turns and gear changes.
Balloon Fiesta Park – 9401 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Known for the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the Balloon Fiesta Park also has large, open areas for driving practice. The lot is not used frequently when events aren’t taking place, making it an excellent choice for mastering stick shift skills.
Academy Hills Park – 9700 Russell Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122
A quieter area in northeast Albuquerque, Academy Hills Park has a small but open parking lot with minimal traffic. It’s ideal for practicing the basics of manual driving in a serene and distraction-free environment.
West Mesa High School Parking Lot – 6701 Fortuna Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121
When school is not in session, the parking lot at West Mesa High School is a perfect place to practice driving. With its long stretches and ample space, it provides enough room to work on gear transitions and braking techniques.
Sandia High School Parking Lot – 7801 Candelaria Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Another school parking lot, Sandia High School’s lot is wide and generally empty during weekends. It’s a great location for practicing manual driving basics like stopping, starting, and shifting gears without the hassle of heavy traffic.
Cibola National Forest Parking Area – Forest Rd 462, Tijeras, NM 87059
Just a short drive from Albuquerque, Cibola National Forest offers vast, open areas to practice driving. This spot is perfect for those looking to hone their skills in a scenic and calm environment, with the added challenge of natural terrain for more advanced practice sessions.
Conclusion
Albuquerque offers a variety of locations perfect for practicing manual driving, with plenty of open parking lots and areas that aren’t too busy. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or need a quiet spot to perfect your skills, these eight places provide excellent opportunities to master driving a stick shift.
If you’re interested in booking a lesson in Albuquerque, you can do so with Manual Driving Academy here.
