Your Guide to Gravel Driveway: Types, Benefits, Installation, and Maintenance
Learn the essential tips for choosing, installing, and maintaining a gravel driveway. We share the best gravel for driveways in 2025 - with costs and maintenance info!
Gravel driveways are showing up in new places and bringing a rustic-chic look to homeowners in the city as well as the country! A gravel driveway is a time-tested and versatile material, offering a blend of affordability, durability, and natural appeal. Whether you are upgrading or building a new driveway, this guide will help you understand the nuances of choosing the perfect gravel driveway. This guide explores various type of gravel, benefits, installation, and maintenance, helping homeowners make an informed gravel choice!
Driveway gravel is made up of crushed rock materials and can be different shapes, sizes and sharpness. Unlike asphalt driveway or concrete driveway, gravel interlocks, creating a stable, permeable - meaning it allows water to drain through it, and cost-effective surface. Its natural aesthetic can even enhance curb appeal.
Choosing the right gravel is important for its function as well as aesthetic appeal. And even though to most people gravel is gravel, there are actually different options within gravel driveways that do create different looks! Let’s go over a few different options homeowners have to choose from.
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This type of gravel is more jagged compared to your average playground gravel. At the same time, angular crushed stone interlocks well, which is ideal for base layers and the top layer. Crushed stone is durable and resists being compacted. It offers good traction and slows down weed growth. Another thing to be aware of is that crushed stone comes in different sizes as well. Common driveway size is #57 (three-quarter inch). The larger #3 size (crusher run or road base) is used for the base layer.
This is the type of gravel you would see at a playground. Pea gravel (one-quarter inch or 3/8 of an inch) is round and smooth. Even though the pieces of pea gravel are small, because of the rounded edges this type of gravel does not interlock well, leading to shifting and ruts. Pea gravel is not used for high-traffic or long driveways. Pea gravel is best for decorative borders, walkways, playgrounds or low-traffic areas.
Decomposed granite is not only crushed into pieces but also kind of crushed into dust. This type of gravel offers a rustic look and compacts well, but can erode and create dust without stabilization, especially if there is heavy rain! Decomposed granite is more suitable for areas with moderate traffic. Homeowners should consider stabilization in wet or windy climates if they choose this gravel.
Smooth river rock is a beautiful choice for decorative areas! It is like pea gravel but the rocks are bigger and you can see their individual shapes and colors. River rock is better for decorative borders or low-traffic areas due to shifting. Its aesthetic appeal enhances landscaping, but larger sizes can be difficult to walk on as they are smooth and rounded and do not compact well.
A good base layer creates stability and support for the gravel on top of it. Crusher run is a mix of crushed stone and stone dust. It compacts excellently, making it ideal for a durable base layer. It is also more affordable than pure crushed stone.
Gravel offers numerous advantages for homeowners. Let’s go over a few of them!
Cost-effective: More affordable than asphalt or concrete, gravel has lower material and installation costs, especially for a DIY project. It is also easier to repair and maintain, and offers long-term savings.
Durability and Longevity: Gravel resists extreme weather and heavy loads, even in parking areas, without cracking. With proper maintenance, a gravel driveway can last many years, even for long driveways.
Drainage Benefits: Using gravel for your driveway ensures proper drainage and prevents runoff and puddling. This benefit is especially crucial for homeowners in areas with heavy rain or poor soil drainage.
Low-maintenance: Simple maintenance for gravel driveways involves raking and filling low spots or ruts. You will not have to worry about getting your driveway resealed or cracks or potholes.
Aesthetic appeal: Gravel driveways are surprisingly versatile in design and color. And gravel complements various architectural styles and landscaping, making it a type of driveway that can enhance curb appeal just about anywhere!
Unlike a concrete driveway, a gravel driveway is a project homeowners can do as a DIY project with proper planning. Here we will explain the basic steps of installing a gravel driveway.
Measure the driveway area in square foot and calculate gravel needs in cubic yards. You will need to calculate for a 4-6 inch depth. Choose the type of gravel for each layer - you definitely need at least a base layer and top layer. There is also an optional middle layer.
Excavate the driveway area, digging and removing any material necessary to create a level base with a slight slope for proper drainage. Compact the subgrade, or soil that will be beneath the base layer.
Consider laying landscape fabric to prevent weeds. This would go directly on the subgrade.
A 4-inch base layer of larger crushed stone or crusher run provides stability and proper drainage. Here is where you will need some machinery! You may need a dump truck for large amounts of gravel. Also, you will need a compactor to compact the base layer thoroughly.
Spread the top layer evenly, using smaller stones like crushed gravel or pea gravel. Avoid large piles because you will want this layer to be evenly dispersed.
Compact the top layer just like you did the base layer to make sure the rocks interlock and to prevent ruts. You may need to take multiple passes with the compactor.
Regular upkeep will help maintain your new gravel driveway's condition and keep it looking its best! Here are a few tips:
Calculate using length, width, and depth, converting to cubic yards. Consult your supplier.
This depends on the project needs and the dimensions of the area you will cover with gravel. Gravel is cost-effective and offers better proper drainage. Asphalt and concrete are smoother but more expensive.
Gravel needs to be replenished every 2-3 years, depending on traffic and weather.
Yes, this actually works well with careful planning. You will need to use angular crushed stone that will catch and interlock better than round gravel. Also, it is important to incorporate drainage and retaining walls. Regular maintenance is crucial!
To stop gravel from washing away, ensure proper drainage, use angular crushed stone, and consider edging and landscape fabric. You can also use stone dust to bind the gravel. While pavers are an option, gravel is often more cost-effective.
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