Difficulty
Intermediate
Learn a new skill while beautifying your home.
Time to complete
10 hours
Time estimate varies based on the size of your driveway and the tools you use.
Cost
$1,000+
Only buy supplies if you’re comfortable with advanced-level DIY.
Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Wheelbarrow
- Shovel with a sturdy trough
- Hard metal rake
- Work gloves
- Bulldozer (optional)
- Mechanical compactor (optional)
- Backhoe (optional)
SUPPLIES
- Landscaping stakes
- String or twine
- Weed barrier
- Base layer of rock (1 to 3 inches in diameter)
- Middle layer of rock (2 to 3 inches in diameter)
- Top layer of rock (⅜” to 2 inches in diameter)
A gravel driveway offers a budget-friendly, low-maintenance driveway option with a classic look. Plus, handy homeowners can install a gravel driveway themselves, unlike many other types of driveways. Learn how to make a gravel driveway and install each gravel driveway layer.
Keep in mind that the project can be physically-intensive work if you don’t rent larger equipment. Consider hiring a dependable driveway company if you want professional help with this project.
Prepping to Make a Gravel Driveway
Before you lay your gravel, you’ll need to map out your driveway, calculate the amount of gravel you need, and gather your tools. Putting these pieces in place makes for a smooth, seamless project.
Decide Where to Put Your Driveway
Survey your land and decide the future location, length, and shape of your driveway. Determine if you want to have a parking area or other features.
When picking a location, be sure to consider how the driveway drains. Rainwater should run off the sides and away from your house. If your driveway has a steep slope, you may want to install a drainage system, such as a French drain, before creating your driveway.
Apply for a Permit
Depending on your local ordinances, you may need to get a building permit before constructing a driveway, or pay certain taxes. Check with your city or county offices before beginning the project to determine what type of permits you need and the total cost.
Decide on Your Gravel Driveway Layers
The most stable gravel driveways have three rock layers, though you can create a driveway with two layers. The base layer should be crushed stone, limestone, or concrete with irregular shapes and a diameter of one to three inches. The middle layer is typically two- to three-inch stones. The top layer can be pea gravel, crushed stone, or limestone, ranging from ⅜ inch to 2 inches in diameter.
Calculate the Amount of Gravel for Each Layer
Next, measure your driveway's length and width. If it's a curvy driveway, measuring it in smaller sections and adding it together may be easier. Then, determine the depth of each rock layer, usually at least four to six inches. Convert the depth to feet by dividing the number of inches by 12.
For each layer, multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in feet) by the depth (in feet). Divide the total by 27 to determine that layer’s cubic yards of gravel. Calculate the amount of gravel for each layer the same way.
If you want to add a border of bricks, landscape edging, or timber, determine the total feet of the driveway’s perimeter. The total should include all the edges you want to cover with your border material.
Schedule Your Gravel Deliveries
Now that you’ve done the hard work of calculating your gravel needs, it’s time to purchase and start building your permeable driveway. Order your gravel, ideally with separate deliveries for each layer of stone, scheduled two or three days apart.
This tiered approach allows you to spread each layer and let it settle before spreading the next. Sometimes delivery trucks can help spread the gravel or place smaller piles along the driveway for easier spreading.
Rent Excavation Equipment
You may want to use larger tools to make the job faster and easier, such as a tractor for spreading gravel or a mechanical compactor to press down dirt and rocks. You can often rent tools from a local home improvement store or tool rental company. Be sure to have your other tools and materials set, including your weed barrier and any border material.
Stake the Driveway
Once you have a potential design for your gravel driveway, it’s a good idea to outline it to ensure it works with your space. To mark one long side of the driveway, insert landscape stakes or sticks every eight to 10 feet. Place the second set of stakes at least 10 to 12 feet across from your first set, marking the width of your driveway. Tie string or twine across the stakes to form the outline of your driveway.
A straight, rectangular driveway is often the most straightforward, cost-effective design. A wider driveway is more expensive due to more gravel needed, and a curvy driveway is more time-intensive to build.
Clear and Dig the Area
To prepare the ground for gravel, remove grass, topsoil, shrubs, or other vegetation from the staked area. In general, you should dig four to six inches of soil for each layer of rock.
You can use a shovel or backhoe or hire a local excavator to handle this part of the project for you. Clearing the ground can be labor-intensive depending on the tools, so don’t hesitate to hire a pro for the prep steps.
Grade the Driveway’s Surface
After digging out the top soil but before laying any rock, level the surface of the driveway with a backhoe, metal rake, mechanical compactor, or another tool. The surface should be relatively even to prevent water pooling, but elevate it 2% to 5% in the middle to promote water drainage.
Put Down a Weed Barrier
To prevent grass and weeds from growing through your driveway, lay down a fabric weed barrier. This step will also create a cushion layer of support for your vehicles, preventing irregular surfaces that can damage car tires.
Cover the driveway, aiming to create a flat layer without any areas bunching up. You should aim to lay the weed barrier immediately after leveling and compacting the soil surface.
Create Your Border
The next step is constructing your gravel driveway’s border. If you're using bricks, landscaping stones, or timber to line your driveway, place them before laying your rock. If you’re not placing a border, you can skip this step.
Spread and Compact the Base Layer
Using a wheelbarrow, spread a layer of base rock across the length of your driveway. Use a shovel or hard metal rake to spread the rocks evenly across the width of your driveway.
Then, compact the rocks with a bulldozer roller, heavy truck, or mechanical compactor to create a solid foundation for your driveway. Keep in mind that this step requires operating heavy machinery, so don’t hesitate to hire a pro for this part to ensure your safety.
Add the Middle Layer
One layer down, two more to go. Spread and compact your next layer of rock the same way as your base layer. Neaten the perimeter of the driveway with a shovel and rake. If you're only making a two-layer driveway, skip this step.
Install the Top Layer
Photo: Noel/Adobe Stock
Almost done! Spread the top layer of gravel onto your driveway and smooth it down to eliminate bumps or divots. Be sure to grade the sides so that they’re slightly higher than the middle to allow for effective rainwater drainage.
If you’re satisfied with your work, it’s time to clean up your tools and materials, including removing stakes and twine markers. The only step left is to maintain your gravel driveway year after year for durability, longevity, and appearance.
Building a Gravel Driveway Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
With some heavy lifting, time, and experience, you can create a DIY gravel driveway. However, this project involves renting heavy-duty machinery and exerting plenty of sweat equity. Plus, any errors made during the installation process may be difficult and expensive to fix.
In addition to the cost of the gravel, about $1.25 to $1.80 per square foot, you’ll need to account for some basic supplies (wheelbarrow, shovel, hoe, steel rake, etc.) plus the cost to rent an excavator if you need to dig up grass and topsoil, which is about $350 per day. There is also the cost of renting a mechanical compactor to settle the stones, which costs $100 per day to rent. Ultimately, the gravel driveway cost to DIY might not be worth it for the average homeowner.
If you want to ensure the job is done faster and more accurately, consider hiring a local driveway paving contractor. The price of driveway paving labor costs $30 per hour on average.
Frequently Asked Questions
The total depth of a gravel driveway should be 12 to 18 inches thick. Each layer should be four to six inches thick—three layers are best for durability and longevity. Grading the ground and laying a weed barrier before the gravel layers prevents driveway drainage problems and the growth of grass and weeds through the driveway.
You put a weed barrier under a gravel driveway, plus a base layer and middle layer of rock. The top layer of gravel finishes the driveway and comes in a variety of types, shapes, and colors to meet your chosen aesthetic. The system works together to create a durable, long-lasting driveway that drains rainwater and melted snow.
The best gravel for the base is limestone gravel with a diameter of one to three inches. It’s usually irregularly shaped, forming a solid foundation with proper drainage. The base layer should be four to six inches deep and covered by a middle layer and top layer of rock.
