How to Build a Lasting Gravel Driveway

Build lasting gravel driveways with a well-built base.

Gravel driveways are an inexpensive option for providing your landscape with a low maintenance entry and exit route. In order to have a gravel driveway that lasts for years or decades, you first must develop a well-built base. Building a long-lasting gravel driveway will provide you with a surface that has soil stabilization and proper drainage that aids in directing the water away from the gravel rocks minimizing driveway erosion.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Landscaping spray
• Shovel
• Helpers with shovels
• Vibrating plate
• Geotextile fabric
• Crushed run gravel
• Garden rake
• #57 crushed angular gravel
• #78 crushed angular gravel

Instructions

1. Measure the area where the gravel driveway will run with a measuring tape. Use the measuring tape to calculate the length and width of the area, and multiply these two measurements together to calculate the total square footage.

2. Mark the outline of the intended gravel driveway with landscaping spray, keeping the width of the driveway consistent the entire length with the help of the measuring tape.

3. Multiply the total square foot measurement by 12 to receive your cubic feet. A long-lasting gravel driveway will have a depth of 12 inches. Divide the cubic feet by 27, which will give you the cubic yards of gravel needed for the driveway. Multiply the total cubic yards by 1.5 to receive the calculation for how many total tons of gravel to purchase.

4. Remove the top 12 inches of topsoil with a shovel. Recruit several friends or family members with shovels to help. Pick up and discard rocks, debris or tree roots from the driveway area.

5. Pack down the soil in the driveway area with a vibrating plate. You can easily rent a vibrating plate at equipment rental or hardware stores.

6. Cover the driveway area with geotextile fabric, placing large rocks on the fabric to keep it in place during strong wind.

7. Spread a 4-inch layer of crushed run gravel in the driveway area, removing the large rocks as you go. Use a garden rake to spread and create a crown within the crushed run gravel. The middle of the driveway will be slightly higher than both sides to aid in water drainage.

8. Place 4 inches of crushed angular gravel (#57) on top of the 4-inch layer of crushed run gravel. Spread this second layer of gravel the same as the first, creating a slightly higher middle section.

9. Pour 4 inches of crushed angular gravel (#78) on top of the second layer of gravel, using the rake to spread it out in the same fashion as the first and second layers of gravel.

10. Maintain the gravel driveway by periodically filling low spots and raking high spots even with the surrounding height of the driveway.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many online calculators that can easily figure how much gravel is needed when you type in the length and width of the driveway.

References

• Ask The Builder: Build a Gravel Driveway
• K&W Trucking: Types of Gravel Stone