How to Build a Gravel Driveway

Intermediate · 2–3 days

A gravel driveway is far cheaper than asphalt or concrete and, built right, holds up for years. The secret is layers: a coarse base for strength and drainage, topped with finer gravel for a smooth driving surface. Skip the layering or the compaction and you get ruts, potholes, and gravel that migrates into the yard. Most of the cost is in the stone, so estimate carefully.

What you'll need

• Coarse base stone (#3 or 4 in crushed) for the bottom layer
• Crushed stone for the surface (3/4 in minus / 'crusher run', which has fines that lock together)
• Use the gravel calculator to size cubic yards and tons per layer
• Landscape fabric (geotextile) to separate gravel from soil
• A plate compactor or, for larger jobs, a rented roller
• Excavator or skid steer (or a strong back and a shovel for small drives)

Steps

1. 1

   Mark and excavate

   Stake out the driveway and dig down 8–12 in to firm subsoil, removing topsoil and organic material — they hold water and shift. Grade the bed to slope slightly for drainage (a crown or a tilt to one side).

2. 2

   Lay landscape fabric

   Roll geotextile fabric over the excavated soil. It stops the gravel from sinking into the dirt and keeps weeds from growing up through the drive.

3. 3

   Build the base layer

   Spread 4–6 in of coarse base stone and compact it thoroughly with a plate compactor or roller. This layer carries the load and drains water away.

4. 4

   Add the middle layer (optional)

   For heavy use, add a second 3–4 in layer of medium stone and compact again before the surface course.

5. 5

   Spread the surface gravel

   Top with 3–4 in of crushed stone with fines (crusher run). The fines pack down and lock the surface together so it drives smoothly.

6. 6

   Crown and compact

   Rake the surface to a slight crown — higher in the middle so water sheds to the sides — then make a final compaction pass over the whole driveway.

Pro tips

• Order by the ton, not guesswork: a cubic yard of gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons, and the calculator converts volume to both for you.
• Compact every layer before adding the next. Compacting one thick lift instead of several thin ones leaves a soft drive that ruts.
• Always build a crown or cross-slope. Standing water is what destroys a gravel driveway, not the traffic.
• Plan to top up the surface course every few years — some loss to plowing and traffic is normal.

FAQ

Ready to estimate materials? Use the Gravel & Driveway Calculator →