Tulsa, known for its rich history in the oil industry and its art deco architecture, is a sprawling city with diverse landscapes, making it a great place to practice driving. Whether you’re a new driver or simply trying to master the art of shifting gears, finding the right location is essential. Tulsa has plenty of parking lots and open spaces to give you the perfect environment to learn, especially on the city’s quieter outskirts. Before heading out, make sure you’re familiar with Tulsa’s traffic laws and rules to ensure a safe experience.
Here are 8 of the best places around the greater Tulsa area to practice manual driving.
1. Tulsa Hills Shopping Center
7336 S Olympia Ave, Tulsa, OK 74132
Tulsa Hills Shopping Center offers a large, multi-lot parking area that’s often less crowded, especially on weekday mornings. The smooth, open space makes it ideal for practicing shifts and stops without much traffic. Plus, you’re close to the shops if you need a break.
2. Union Public Schools Education Service Center
Address: 8506 E 61st St, Tulsa, OK 74133
The Union Public Schools parking lot is a great option during weekends or after school hours when it’s mostly vacant. The lot is flat and wide, giving ample space for manual driving practice, especially learning to navigate in and out of parking spaces.
3. LaFortune Park
Address: 5202 S Hudson Ave, Tulsa, OK 74135
LaFortune Park offers several parking areas that are mostly open, especially early in the mornings. The spacious lots provide an ideal spot to work on your clutch control and gear shifting in a serene environment, away from heavy traffic.
4. Promenade Mall (Lower Levels)
Address: 4107 S Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK 74135
The lower parking levels of the Promenade Mall are usually quieter, particularly on weekdays. This offers a mix of slopes and flat areas where you can refine your manual driving skills in a space that mimics real-world traffic conditions without the stress of heavy congestion.
5. Bixby High School Parking Lot
Address: 601 S Riverview Dr, Bixby, OK 74008
Located just outside of Tulsa in the nearby town of Bixby, this high school parking lot is usually empty on weekends. Its wide-open spaces and minimal traffic make it a perfect place to practice, especially for those looking for a quieter location outside Tulsa proper.
6. Owasso High School
Address: 12901 E 86th St N, Owasso, OK 74055
For those in the northern parts of Tulsa, Owasso High School offers a massive parking area that is mostly empty after school hours and during weekends. The smooth terrain is ideal for practicing gear transitions and handling the clutch.
7. Hillcrest Hospital South Parking
Address: 8801 S 101st E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74133
The parking lots near Hillcrest Hospital South are generally not busy during the weekends. The expansive lots provide plenty of room to maneuver and practice, and the presence of small inclines can help learners practice hill starts in a low-pressure environment.
8. Woodland Hills Mall Overflow Parking
Address: 7021 S Memorial Dr, Tulsa, OK 74133
The overflow parking areas at Woodland Hills Mall are often quiet during non-peak shopping hours. This area provides a smooth surface and wide lanes to practice shifting gears and mastering manual driving without the worry of heavy traffic.
Conclusion
Tulsa and its surrounding areas offer plenty of quiet, spacious parking lots that are perfect for manual driving practice. Whether you’re near downtown or venturing into the suburbs, these locations provide ample opportunities to work on your skills at your own pace. If you’re ready to take your manual driving abilities to the next level with expert instruction, you can book a lesson with Manual Driving Academy here.
