Gravel driveways are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. They’re a high-quality, affordable solution compared to gravel and can even be a DIY project. If you’re interested in installing a gravel driveway, don’t jump the gun and purchase a truckload of gravel. You’ll need to do specific measurements to set yourself up for success. Plus, there are other factors to take into account, such as the type and size of gravel you choose.
If you’re wondering, “How much gravel do I need for my driveway?” You’re in the right place.
A Guide To Installing a Gravel Driveway
What Is Gravel?
Gravel is loose rocks or stones that are larger than a grain of sand but smaller than cobble, with typical diameters ranging from 2.5 – 6.5 cm. There are different kinds of gravel, but it often consists of a mixture of rocks, sand, and clay.
What Are the Benefits of a Gravel Driveway?
Some of the main benefits of gravel driveways are that they are budget-friendly and offer quick installation. They’re one of the most affordable types of driveways, with the average cost as low as $1.25 – $1.80 per square foot. Plus, if you have the right tools, maintenance can usually be done without hiring a professional, saving you even more money.
How Much Gravel Do I Need for My Driveway?
Before you can determine how much gravel you’ll need for your driveway project, there are specific factors you need to consider:
- The size of the area the gravel needs to cover
- The desired depth of the gravel surface
- The type of gravel you’re using
The Size of the Area the Gravel Needs To Cover:
1. First, measure the length and width of the area in feet.
2. Then, multiply the length by the width to get your surface area in feet.
The Desired Depth of the Gravel Surface:
3. Determine your desired depth of the gravel on the driveway. It’s recommended that a gravel driveway should be at least 4 inches deep, but between 12 and 18 inches is ideal.
4. After you have these three measurements – length, width, and depth, you can utilize a Gravel Driveway Calculator.
There are many helpful tools available online, such as this gravel calculator that also allows you to convert your measurements into cubic yards, tons, and other units, which will be helpful when you’re communicating with your gravel supplier.
The Type of Gravel You’re Using:
5. There are many types of gravel to choose from, depending on your preferred aesthetic and maintenance requirements. The most common types of gravel for driveways are crushed stone, pea gravel, and Jersey Shore gravel. When you make your gravel selection, your supplier can work with you to determine if your estimate needs to be altered.
Additional Gravel Driveway Tips
After you’ve determined how much gravel you need for your project, you can make the order. You can purchase bags of gravel, but for large projects requiring 10 or more tons, it will probably be more cost effective to order a “loose load” delivered in a dump truck rather than individual bags.
No matter what kind of gravel you choose, you’ll likely need a tool to level it. For that, you can’t get better than our award-winning Agritek DS Series Driveway Scrapers. Our DS Series is available in three sizes and includes rigid and flat modes for flat or contoured surfaces.
Not only will you be able to use our Driveway Scraper for installation, but also driveway maintenance. It’s recommended to grade your driveway at least twice a year to prevent vehicle damage and potholes, and that task with be a breeze with this tool.
The Best Tool for Gravel Driveway Installation and Maintenance
Are you interested in learning more about our Agritk DS Series Driveway Scraper? We’d love to chat! Take a look at our website or contact our team today. The Driveway Scraper quickly and easily hooks up to your tractor and allows you to smooth out and recondition your dirt or gravel driveway, path, or lot. It’s the ultimate tool that allows you to extend the life of your gravel driveway. Check it out today!
The material and information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. You should not rely upon the material or information on the website as a basis for making business, legal or other decisions.