Salt Lake City, nestled between the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake, offers scenic beauty along with a blend of urban and suburban spaces. Whether you’re new to manual transmission or refining your skills, there are plenty of open parking lots around Salt Lake City where you can practice driving stick. The wide spaces and quiet spots make it easier to focus on mastering gear shifts and clutch control.
1. Maverik Center (Event Overflow Lot)
3200 Decker Lake Dr, West Valley City, UT 84119
Located in West Valley City, the Maverik Center has large parking lots that are generally quiet when there aren’t events. It’s perfect for practicing manual driving, with plenty of open space to work on stopping, starting, and maneuvering.
2. Salt Lake Community College (Taylorsville Campus)
4600 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84123
The Taylorsville campus of SLCC offers wide parking lots, particularly on weekends when classes aren’t in session. It’s an ideal spot to practice clutch control and gear shifting in a low-traffic environment.
3. Jordan Landing (South Lot)
7533 Jordan Landing Blvd, West Jordan, UT 84084
Jordan Landing, in West Jordan, features large parking areas toward the southern end of the complex. These spots are usually quiet during non-peak hours and are excellent for practicing manual driving techniques in a spacious, open lot.
4. The Gateway (Overflow Parking)
400 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
The Gateway shopping complex has several overflow parking lots that are less frequented. The flat, wide areas are great for practicing gear shifts and smooth starts and stops.
5. South Towne Expo Center (Far Parking Area)
9575 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070
The South Towne Expo Center in Sandy offers large parking lots that are generally empty during the weekdays. With open spaces and long stretches, it’s perfect for practicing different manual driving techniques without much traffic.
6. Salt Lake City International Airport (Economy Parking)
776 N Terminal Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
The economy parking lot at the airport is often sparsely populated during certain hours of the day. It’s an expansive area to practice shifting gears and coordinating clutch control without worrying about heavy traffic.
7. Mountain View Village (Far End Parking)
4500 W 13400 S, Riverton, UT 84065
Just outside Salt Lake City in Riverton, Mountain View Village offers open parking spaces toward the back of the shopping complex. These lots are typically quiet during the mornings and allow for uninterrupted manual driving practice.
8. Rio Tinto Stadium (Overflow Parking)
9256 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070
When there are no games or events, the overflow parking lot at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy is a peaceful and spacious place to practice. The open, flat layout provides plenty of room for working on clutch control and smooth gear shifts.
Conclusion
Salt Lake City and its surrounding areas offer plenty of quiet, open spaces where you can refine your manual driving skills. If you’re ready to take your driving to the next level, you can book a lesson with Manual Driving Academy here. Our experienced instructors will guide you through everything you need to know, whether you’re a beginner or looking to perfect your handling of high-powered vehicles.
