A well-crafted driveway is not just a functional necessity. It’s the welcome mat to your home, giving curb appeal and setting the tone for visitors to your property. Many homeowners choose crushed stone driveways because they are functional, beautiful, and affordable. 

The timeless allure of crushed stone transforms your driveway from ordinary to extraordinary. In this article, we look at the benefits of installing a crushed stone driveway and how it can provide durable, low-maintenance access to your property. 



Materials Needed

Constructing a crushed stone driveway involves excavating ground cover or the current driveway, installing a sub-base layer, and spreading the top gravel layer.

Key materials:

  • Landscape fabric: Lay this before the stone. It blocks weeds and prevents sinking into soft soil. Use a heavy-duty driveway fabric.
  • Crushed stone: The sub-base layer uses 3- to 5-inch diameter stones. The 1- to 1.5-inch top gravel creates a smooth driving surface.
  • Edge restraints: Borders like plastic curbing, treated wood, or metal landscape edges keep gravel contained.
  • Geotextile drainage fabric: Optional over the sub-base for extra weed and moisture protection.
  • Base material: Compacted soil, crushed concrete, sand, or recycled asphalt.
  • Shovels: Use this to dig up the ground.
  • Rake: Use a rake to level the gravel.
  • Tamper: A tamper is used to create an even surface.
  • Wheelbarrow: A wheelbarrow will make transporting gravel and other materials easier. 
  • Plate compactor: For compressing sub-base layers. It can be rented.

Installation Steps

Let’s go through the steps needed to install a crushed stone driveway.

The first step is to grade the area where you’ll install the gravel. Ensure it’s graded in a way that prevents water from pooling in any spots and from running toward your property. 

Take off a layer of topsoil and check if the ground is strong enough to drive on. Otherwise, you may need to replace some of the soil with gravel to provide a more stable base material. 

Use spray paint or stakes to map the route and width. Most single-car driveways are 9 to 12 feet wide. Avoid trees and allow 1 foot of clearance from foundations.

Dig out 4-6 inches with a shovel or frontloader to establish your grade. Slope away from structures at 1/4 inch per linear foot. Compress loose and soft soil with a tamper. Add fill material like sand or crushed concrete if needed. 

Spread stones measuring 3-5 inches about 4 to 6 inches deep as your sub-base layer. Rake smooth. Compact the stones multiple times, checking for even coverage. The sub-base should compress to about 3 inches deep.

Consider putting a geotextile fabric barrier over the sub-base before the layer of gravel.

Use 1-inch crushed bluestone, angular gravel, or pea gravel for a smooth driving surface and spread these stones at least 2-3 inches deep. Compact the gravel multiple times using your tamper, leaving a sturdy driving surface. 

Spray a magnesium chloride dust control aggregate to stabilize the gravel further.

Install edge restraints. You can use curbs, treated wood, or metal landscape borders after the gravel installation. Contain the gravel and provide clean edges by tamping until all open spaces are removed.


Maintenance

Here’s how to make your stone driveway durable and long-lasting:

  • Inspect twice yearly, in spring and fall. Check for erosion, low spots collecting water, or weeds.
  • Regrade and add gravel as needed to fill depressions or worn areas. Adding a fresh 1/2-inch top layer annually helps maintain a smooth surface.
  • Pull weeds by hand when possible to avoid herbicides. Spot treat with vinegar and soap-based sprays.
  • In cold climates, plow snow carefully to prevent damage. Limit salt usage.
  • Repair or reconstruct thoroughly every five to 15 years if needed. Signs of wear include extensive cracking, ruts, and gravel loss.

Cost Comparison

Crushed stone driveways cost $1–$3 per square foot to install on average, about half the cost of concrete or asphalt.

Comparison of popular driveway materials:

  • $1–$3 per square foot
  • $3–$8 per square foot
  • $5–$10 per square foot
  • $10–$20 per square foot

Expect maintenance costs of $100 to $300 per year for re-grading and fresh gravel. Long-term repairs add 50 cents to $1 per square foot every five to 15 years. Lifetime cost averages around $8 per square foot.


So, Is a Crushed Stone Driveway Right for You?

When choosing whether to build a driveway and what to build it out of, think about several key aspects of the job. Among them: 

Crushed stone is one of the most affordable options, cutting total costs roughly in half compared to concrete or asphalt.

In cold climates, asphalt and concrete hold up better long-term. Gravel driveways need vigilant snow removal.

Expect to spend time twice a year inspecting for dips or erosion and spreading fresh gravel. Occasional weed control is required too. For a low-maintenance surface, concrete and asphalt are usually better.

Gravel driveways allow drainage, reducing runoff and giving an environmental advantage over paved surfaces.

Crushed stone offers a classic, textured look. But concrete or pavers provide a more elegant finished appearance.

Today’s Homeowner Tips

If keeping costs down is critical, gravel is hard to beat. It provides a great eco-friendly driving surface because of its permeability.

More Driveway Information

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FAQs About Crushed Stone Driveways

What is the best gravel size?

The best grave sizes are 3-5 inches of crushed stone or angular gravel for the sub-base, and a 1- to 1.5-inch top gravel size creates the smoothest driving surface.


How deep should the crushed stone be?

Crushed stone for driveways should be 4-6 inches deep with a 3-5 inch sub-base layer. Cover with 2-3 inches of top gravel.


Is landscape fabric needed?

Construction experts recommend blocking weeds with landscape fabric to help prevent the driveway from sinking into the soil. Use a heavy-duty driveway fabric.


What are the best edge borders?

Plastic and concrete curbing provides a crisp edge and harnesses a gravel driveway. Treated wood edging is another low-cost option. Metal landscape borders also work well.


How much does a crushed stone driveway cost?

A crushed stone driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot on average. The total cost depends on driveway size and excavation depth. Expect around $100–$300 per year for maintenance.


How long does a crushed stone driveway last?

With routine care, a crushed stone driveway lasts 15 to 25 years. Once installed, keep an eye out for signs that the driveway needs repairing. Signs include extensive cracks, ruts, and significant gravel loss.


Should a gravel driveway be sealed?

Sealing a gravel driveway is optional. Magnesium chloride agents help stabilize the surface but require re-sealing every 1-3 years.


Is crushed stone better than gravel?

Crushed stone provides better stability and a smoother driving surface than natural smooth gravel. Avoid rounded pebbles.


How are weeds removed?

Hand-pull when possible. For extensive growth, use vinegar, soap-based sprays, or careful spot treatments with herbicides. Prevent weeds by installing landscape fabric.

Crushed stone driveways provide a classic, budget-friendly option that blends well into natural landscapes. Proper installation and maintenance will ensure many years of trouble-free use.


Editorial Contributors
avatar for Coty Perry

Coty Perry

Expert Writer & Reviewer

Coty Perry is a lawn and garden writer for Today’s Homeowner. He focuses on providing homeowners with actionable tips that relate to the “Average Joe” who is looking to achieve a healthier and greener lawn. When he isn’t writing he can almost always be found coaching youth football or on some trail in Pennsylvania in search of the next greatest fishing hole.

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Sabrina Lopez

Editor

Sabrina Lopez is a senior editor for Today’s Homeowner with over 7 years of writing and editing experience in digital media. She has reviewed content across categories that matter to homeowners, including HVAC services, home renovations, lawn and garden care, products for the home, and insurance services. When she’s not reviewing articles to make sure they are helpful, accessible, and engaging for homeowners like herself, Sabrina enjoys spending time with her family and their two parrots.

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