Nashville, known for its rich musical heritage and vibrant culture, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Whether you’re exploring Music City for its country music scene or its bustling neighborhoods, Nashville also provides ample spaces for those learning to drive a manual transmission. For new drivers, having a quiet, open space to practice can make a huge difference. In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the best places in the greater Nashville area where you can hone your manual driving skills in spacious, low-traffic environments.
1. Nashville State Community College Parking Lot
120 White Bridge Pike, Nashville, TN 37209
Located on the west side of the city, the Nashville State Community College has a large parking lot that is generally quiet during non-class hours, particularly on weekends. It offers a spacious area to practice manual driving and handling.
2. Global Mall at the Crossings
5252 Hickory Hollow Pkwy, Antioch, TN 37013
This mall in Antioch, just outside of Nashville, has wide, open parking lots that tend to be less crowded, especially on weekdays. It’s a great spot to practice gear shifting and clutch control without too much foot or vehicle traffic.
3. Elmington Park
3531 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37205
Elmington Park is located in a quieter neighborhood and offers a small but open parking lot that is rarely busy during weekdays. The peaceful park setting makes it a great location to practice manual driving in a calm environment.
4. One Bellevue Place
7620 Hwy 70 S, Nashville, TN 37221
This shopping center in the Bellevue area has a large parking lot that’s rarely crowded on weekdays. It’s perfect for practicing manual driving with wide lanes and plenty of space to maneuver your vehicle.
5. Wave Country Parking Lot
2320 Two Rivers Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37214
Wave Country is a popular waterpark during the summer months, but the parking lot is largely empty during the off-season. It’s an ideal spot to practice without the distractions of other vehicles, making it great for beginners.
6. Cane Ridge Park
419 Battle Rd, Antioch, TN 37013
Located in the Antioch area, Cane Ridge Park has a spacious parking lot with minimal traffic, especially during weekdays. This is an excellent place to practice manual driving skills, offering both space and a peaceful setting.
7. Nashville International Airport Cell Phone Lot
1 Terminal Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
The cell phone waiting lot at Nashville International Airport is usually not too crowded, especially outside peak flight times. This open area provides a good space to practice starting, stopping, and gear shifting without much interference from other drivers.
8. The Fairgrounds Nashville
625 Smith Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
The Fairgrounds Nashville hosts various events throughout the year, but when there are no events, the parking lots are expansive and mostly empty. This gives you plenty of room to practice manual driving in a stress-free environment.
Conclusion
Nashville offers plenty of great places to practice manual driving, from large open lots at shopping centers to quieter parks and community spaces. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your skills, these locations provide the ideal settings to get comfortable behind the wheel of a stick shift. Ready to take your manual driving skills to the next level? You can book a lesson with Manual Driving Academy here.
