A gravel driveway offers a budget-friendly, low-maintenance driveway option with a classic look. Plus, handy homeowners can install a gravel driveway themselves, unlike many other types of driveways. Learn how to make a gravel driveway and install each gravel driveway layer.
Keep in mind that the project can be physically-intensive work if you don’t rent larger equipment. Consider hiring a dependable driveway company if you want professional help with this project.
Prepping to Make a Gravel Driveway
Before you lay your gravel, you’ll need to map out your driveway, calculate the amount of gravel you need, and gather your tools. Putting these pieces in place makes for a smooth, seamless project.
Decide Where to Put Your Driveway
Survey your land and decide the future location, length, and shape of your driveway. Determine if you want to have a parking area or other features.
When picking a location, be sure to consider how the driveway drains. Rainwater should run off the sides and away from your house. If your driveway has a steep slope, you may want to install a drainage system, such as a French drain, before creating your driveway.
Apply for a Permit
Depending on your local ordinances, you may need to get a building permit before constructing a driveway, or pay certain taxes. Check with your city or county offices before beginning the project to determine what type of permits you need and the total cost.
Stake the Driveway
Once you have a potential design for your gravel driveway, it’s a good idea to outline it to ensure it works with your space. To mark one long side of the driveway, insert landscape stakes or sticks every eight to 10 feet. Place the second set of stakes at least 10 to 12 feet across from your first set, marking the width of your driveway. Tie string or twine across the stakes to form the outline of your driveway.
A straight, rectangular driveway is often the most straightforward, cost-effective design. A wider driveway is more expensive due to more gravel needed, and a curvy driveway is more time-intensive to build.
Clear and Dig the Area
To prepare the ground for gravel, remove grass, topsoil, shrubs, or other vegetation from the staked area. In general, you should dig four to six inches of soil for each layer of rock.
You can use a shovel or backhoe or hire a local excavator to handle this part of the project for you. Clearing the ground can be labor-intensive depending on the tools, so don’t hesitate to hire a pro for the prep steps.
Decide on Your Gravel Driveway Layers
The most stable gravel driveways have three rock layers, though you can create a driveway with two layers. The base layer should be crushed stone, limestone, or concrete with irregular shapes and a diameter of one to three inches. The middle layer is typically two- to three-inch stones. The top layer can be pea gravel, crushed stone, or limestone, ranging from ⅜ inch to 2 inches in diameter.
Calculate the Amount of Gravel for Each Layer
Next, measure your driveway's length and width. If it's a curvy driveway, measuring it in smaller sections and adding it together may be easier. Then, determine the depth of each rock layer, usually at least four to six inches. Convert the depth to feet by dividing the number of inches by 12.
For each layer, multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in feet) by the depth (in feet). Divide the total by 27 to determine that layer’s cubic yards of gravel. Calculate the amount of gravel for each layer the same way.
If you want to add a border of bricks, landscape edging, or timber, determine the total feet of the driveway’s perimeter. The total should include all the edges you want to cover with your border material.
Schedule Your Gravel Deliveries
Now that you’ve done the hard work of calculating your gravel needs, it’s time to purchase. Order your gravel, ideally with separate deliveries for each layer of stone, scheduled two or three days apart.
This tiered approach allows you to spread each layer and let it settle before spreading the next. Sometimes delivery trucks can help spread the gravel or place smaller piles along the driveway for easier spreading.
Rent Tools and Buy Materials
You may want to use larger tools to make the job faster and easier, such as a tractor for spreading gravel or a mechanical compactor to press down dirt and rocks. You can often rent tools from a local home improvement store or tool rental company. Be sure to have your other tools and materials set, including your weed barrier and any border material.