How do I build a gravel driveway?

Stake out the path of the driveway.
Clear grass or topsoil from staked area.
Calculate cubic yardage of gravel needed for each driveway layer.
Schedule and prepare site for gravel delivery.
Level the ground along the path of the driveway.
Spread and compact the base layer of gravel.
Add middle layer of driveway gravel.

Considering this, how thick should a gravel driveway be?

Your driveway should be composed of various layers of gravel, but unless each layer is compacted, the driveway will not retain its shape. Each layer should be about four inches thick and should have gravel pieces smaller than those of the layer below it.

Secondly, what gravel is best for a driveway? Top layer choices for gravel driveways might include crushed shale, limestone, granite and concrete, along with other types of gravel in various colors to meet your aesthetic needs.

Also, how much does it cost to put in a gravel driveway?

Cost of a gravel driveway Schott estimates the average cost for him to install a gravel driveway is $1,200 to $1,500. According to CostHelper, the prices range drastically, from as low as $300 to thousands of dollars. A 12-by-25-foot driveway, with at least 4 inches of gravel, can cost about $300 to $1,000.

Do I need a permit for a gravel driveway?

Grading an existing access or placing gravel does not require a permit; however, if you are upgrading a driveway to a hard surface (concrete or asphalt), a permit is required. Also, any time there is a change in property use, a permit is required.

24 Related Question Answers Found

Can you lay gravel on top of grass?

You can lay the barrier right on top of the grass without mowing. Keep in mind what the gravel is intended to support. If it is heavy trucks, then at least a base layer of larger stone is needed under the gravel. Place the soil barrier under the stone.

Is pea gravel good for driveways?

Pea gravel is made up of small, smooth rounded stones that can be used on any walking surface and on driveways. The stone's brown and white color gives it a natural look that's attractive with any landscaping. Pea gravel is much cheaper and more environmentally friendly to install than concrete or asphalt.

How do I keep weeds out of my gravel driveway?

How to Keep Weeds Away from Your Gravel

Weed the area thoroughly yourself. Before you put the gravel down:
Use garden fabric to keep weeds away. Some people take this a step further and use garden or landscape fabric instead of, or in addition to, the mulch.
Use salt for your weed control.
Talk to your Lawn Doctor lawn care professional.

How deep do you dig for a gravel driveway?

The depth of the gravel can vary, but should be at least 4 to 6 inches. To determine this measurement in feet, divide the number of inches by 12 (for example, 6 inches is 0.5 feet). If you plan to do two to three layers, each layer will need to be 4 to 6 inches thick, so you will to calculate each layer separately.

How much is a dump truck load of gravel?

The cost of gravel ranges from $10 to $50 per ton, $15 to $75 per yard, $1 to $3 per square foot, or $1,350 per truck load depending on the rock type, volume, and travel distance.

How much sub base do I need for a gravel driveway?

The depth of the sub-base will depend on the size of vehicles using the drive with a typical domestic construction requiring a minimum depth of 100mm but preferably 150mm to be able to take cars. The most common sub-base material is DT Type 1 (MOT) which consists of crushed rock graded from 40mm down to dust.

What is Type 3 sub base?

Consists of: Pure crushed granite or limestone. This is a 40mm product that has been screened to create a reduced fines aggregate not zero fines. MOT Type 3 can be made from Granite, Limestone or clean Crushed Concrete and has become increasingly popular as a permeable sub-base aggregate.

How much does 2 tons of gravel cover?

Using 2 inches for the depth, the following measurements are a guide to the amount of gravel coverage per ton: 1/4 to 1/2 inch gravel, 100 square feet per ton; 1/2 to 1 inch gravel, 90 square feet per ton; and 1 1/2 to 2 inches gravel, 80 square feet per ton.

How much area does a ton of gravel cover?

A ton of gravel can cover anywhere from 20 square feet to 240 square feet depending on depth. More rocks per square foot result in a lower coverage rate. At a depth of 1 inch, the coverage is up to 240 square feet, and 3 inches can reduce the coverage rate to 80 square feet.

How long will a gravel driveway last?

100 years

Is a gravel driveway cheaper than concrete?

Gravel is a whole lot cheaper than a concrete, asphalt, or other paved surface. It can cost less than 1/2 of paved driveways. Even though you will have to maintain the gravel, it is inexpensive to do so.

What is the best material for driveways?

The five best materials to pave your driveway with

Exposed aggregate. This is a type of concrete finish obtained by removing a thin layer from the top of laid concrete to reveal the pebbles, shells, stones and/or sand near the surface.
Concrete.
Bluestone pavers.
Clay brick pavers.
Timber sleepers.

How many tons of gravel do I need?

Length in feet x Width in feet x Depth in feet (inches divided by 12). Take the total and divide by 21.6 (the amount of cubic feet in a ton). The final figure will be the estimated amount of tons required.

How much does a ton of 57 stone cost?

#57 Granite Gravel---$52 per ton

Typical construction, driveway, and drainage gravel.

How often should you re gravel driveway?

Gravel driveways need maintenance every one to five years, depending on how often they're used and weather conditions, Terry says. Typically, the most common maintenance task includes adding additional gravel and packing it down again with a weighted roller or hand tamper.

What is #2 gravel?

Crushed #2 Gravel. This primarily 1″ crushed, washed gravel with a top size of 1-1/2″ is often used for drainage around perforated pipe, under concrete slabs, and as a coarse driveway topping for soft, very muddy driveways. NYSDOT 703-2, size 2.