How to Build a Dirt Driveway

If you are planning on putting in a new driveway, you should consider the advantages that dirt driveways offer. A dirt driveway is inexpensive. No concrete or asphalt is needed, and you can often use the dirt that is already on your property. Because dirt driveways are unpaved, you save the time and effort involved in paving. You can also always upgrade your driveway to gravel , concrete or any other type later without having to tear up your existing driveway.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Spray paint
• Backhoe
• Tamping machine

Instructions

1. Dig a series of test holes along the route you intend your driveway to run. Each hole should penetrate at least 1 foot below the layer of topsoil. If you find gray soil below the topsoil, then your soil becomes saturated for long periods of time and is not suitable for supporting a driveway.

2. Mark out the boundaries of your driveway with the spray paint. The driveway should be 10 to 12 feet wide if it is to be used by ordinary automobiles. Make it 20 feet wide if it will be used by large trucks. If there is a possibility that you will be doing large landscaping projects in the future, put in the wider driveway just in case.

3. Remove all of the topsoil within the lines using the backhoe. Make sure that you dig down at least 6 inches below the surface.

4. Fill the driveway bed with dirt that is free of roots, sticks and all other organic material. Use the backhoe to move the soil.

5. Tamp the dirt down with the tamping machine. If the level of dirt in the driveway is lower than the surrounding ground, add more dirt and re-tamp until the driveway is a little higher than the ground bordering it. Build the center of the driveway up until it is higher than the edges. This double slope will encourage rainwater to run off of the driveway instead of pooling in it and washing it out.

Tips & Warnings

• If your driveway has to be built on the side of a hill so that the ground on one side of the driveway slopes uphill, then dig a ditch along that side of the driveway. This will direct runoff water from the hill away from the driveway, preventing erosion.

• Do not let your driveway intersect the road at an angle of less than 60 degrees. A right-angle intersection is ideal.

References

• Ask the Builder; Build a Gravel Driveway; Tim Carter
• University of Connecticut Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials: Driveways
• Texas A&M University; Rural Driveway Design; James C. Thomas