A gravel driveway can provide a charming, rustic look to your home while also being an affordable and low-maintenance option. However, gravel driveways also come with some drawbacks to consider before installing one. Weighing the pros and cons of gravel driveways can help you decide if this is the right driveway material for your home.
Pros of Gravel Driveways
Cost-Effective
One of the biggest advantages of a gravel driveway is its affordability compared to other driveway materials like asphalt or concrete. Gravel is an inexpensive material that can significantly cut down on installation costs. The cost per square foot for a gravel driveway ranges from $0.50-$2.50, making it one of the most budget-friendly driveway options.
Easy Installation
Installing a gravel driveway does not require any complex tools, heavy equipment or specialized skills. The installation process involves excavating the topsoil, installing a sub-base material like crushed stone, then spreading and compacting layers of gravel. This straightforward installation makes gravel driveways a great DIY project for homeowners wanting to save on labor costs.
Low Maintenance
A properly installed gravel driveway requires very little yearly maintenance compared to other driveway types. Asphalt and concrete inevitably crack over time and must be repaired and sealed, but a gravel driveway just needs an occasional application of new gravel. The stones lock together to form a solid driving surface that resists erosion and compaction. Just a few minor touch-ups per year is all that’s needed.
Good Drainage
The loose gravel stones allow for excellent drainage on your driveway. Rainwater can quickly permeate through the spaces between the rocks into the ground below, preventing large puddles or flooding issues. This gives gravel driveways an advantage in wet climates compared to impermeable driveway surfaces.
Flexible Design
Gravel driveways offer great flexibility in shape, width and color. The gravel can be customized into any driveway configuration, widened or narrowed easily over time, and you have numerous natural gravel colors to choose from. This ability to modify the driveway’s size and design allows it to grow with your home’s needs.
Softer Look
Unlike rigid concrete or asphalt, a gravel driveway provides a softer, more natural look that can blend in well with garden landscapes. The tones and textures of gravel can help the driveway seem like a seamless extension of the surroundings. Gravel comes in various neutral earth tones from tans to grays that complement most color schemes.
Traction
Properly compacted gravel creates a very stable driving surface for vehicles. The angular and jagged edges of the stones interlock with each other to provide great traction even in rainy or snowy weather conditions. Tire grip is often better on gravel than smooth asphalt or concrete.
Cons of Gravel Driveways
Dust and Loose Stones
One of the biggest downsides of gravel driveways is managing dust and loose gravel. As vehicles drive over it, the gravel gets displaced and the driveway needs to be re-leveled occasionally. Dust from the gravel can also be kicked up and might blow onto nearby lawns or houses. Applying gravel-stabilizing solutions can help mitigate this.
Weeds
Gravel driveways are prone to weed growth between the stones which looks unsightly and requires manual weeding periodically. Landscape fabric underneath the gravel can help suppress weeds but also reduces drainage. Chemical weed killer sprays provide an easier weeding solution for larger driveways.
Erosion and Ruts
Although properly installed gravel driveways are quite sturdy, erosion can still occur from stormwater runoff or vehicle tires. This leads to depressions, potholes and ruts in the driveway over time that require filling and re-leveling with new gravel. Heavy vehicles also have a tendency to rut the loose gravel.
Tracking onto Adjoining Surfaces
The crushed stone gravel can easily get lodged into the treads of car tires and then tracked or scattered onto adjoining sidewalks, landscaping and home interiors. This can dirt up the premises and make extra cleaning necessary. Using a coarse gravel size minimizes this issue somewhat.
Takes Time to Settle
Freshly laid gravel driveways need some time to fully compact and settle. During the first few weeks, the stones will shift around easily underfoot or tires until they fully interlock and compact into a cohesive driveway surface. Avoid heavy vehicles on it during this settling period.
Not Plow-Friendly
Unlike solid pavements that hold snow on the surface, gravel driveways allow snowfall to permeate into the spaces between the rocks. This makes snowplowing more difficult as the blade also catches stones and flings them around. Using a plow with shoes or rollers minimizes this issue.
Periodic Replacement
Even though maintenance needs are minimal, gravel driveways do eventually show significant wear and need section replacement or resurfacing with fresh stones every 5-10 years. The need for periodic renewal adds to long-term costs that must be factored in.
Not Wheelchair or Stroller Friendly
The loose gravel surface poses mobility challenges for wheelchairs and strollers that can get caught in the stones. Walkers with unsteady gaits may also find it difficult navigating the uneven loose rocks. Solid pavement provides much easier accessibility for those with mobility issues.
Noise
Driveway gravel can create noise pollution from vehicle tires crunching over the gravel, especially along shared driveways or homes with open windows facing the driveway. This constant noise disturbance might become an annoyance over time for some homeowners.
Key Considerations for Gravel Driveways
Base Material
The crushed stone subsurface beneath the top gravel layer on your driveway should be at least 6-8 inches thick. This sturdy base prevents erosion and compaction issues. Using a geotextile fabric over the base further stabilizes the driveway.
Gravel Size
For driveways, a crushed gravel size of 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches works well. Angular gravel provides better stability than rounded varieties. Avoid fine gravels or limestone that compact easily. Larger 3-inch stones can line driveway edges to prevent scatter.
Proper Installation
Having a professional install the gravel driveway is advised to ensure proper base preparation, adequate gravel depth, compaction, and crowning/grading for drainage. Do-it-yourselfers should closely follow installation guides.
Yearly Maintenance
Plan on reshaping bumps or depressions and adding fresh gravel as needed each year. Inspect the driveway after major storms and fill any significantly eroded areas immediately to maintain a level surface.
Sealing
Specialty gravel binder products can be applied to lock gravel stones together for added stability and reduced dust/scattering. Resealing sections every few years is recommended, especially for high-traffic areas.
Winter Care
Remove snow as soon as possible before it melts and settles into the gravel voids. Use de-icing salts sparingly as they can leach down and damage the base over time. Calcium chloride is a more driveway-friendly de-icing chemical.
Edging
Installing a border of landscape edging, railroad ties or boulders around the perimeter keeps the gravel contained neatly on the driveway. This prevents the stones from migrating into grass or garden beds.
Weed Control
Applying corn gluten-based weed inhibitors two or three times per year can control gravel driveway weeds organically. Vinegar-based sprays are another natural weed killing option.
Accessibility
For improved wheelchair, walker or stroller access, create a paved pathway of pavers, concrete or asphalt through the center of the gravel driveway near the garage entrance.
Gravel Driveway Pros and Cons Comparison Chart
| Gravel Driveway Pros | Gravel Driveway Cons |
|-|-|
| Very affordable material and installation costs | Can develop potholes, erosion and ruts over time |
| Easy DIY project with simple installation| Requires periodic resurfacing and stone replenishment every 5-10 years |
| Extremely low yearly upkeep requirements | Gravel scatter can dirty adjoining surfaces |
| Allows excellent drainage compared to paved driveways | Not ideal for snow plowing |
| Highly customizable size, shape and color| Provides mobility challenges for wheelchairs/strollers |
| Softer, more natural look than paved driveways | Tends to have weed growth between stones |
| Provides good traction for driving in all weather |Noise pollution from crunching gravel under tires |
| Easier to repair and widen than asphalt or concrete | Vehicle and foot traffic can displace stones |
| No need for specialist contractors for install or repairs|Dust from loose gravel requires occasional re-leveling |
Frequently Asked Questions about Gravel Driveways
Is a gravel driveway cheaper than concrete?
Yes, gravel driveways are significantly cheaper to install than concrete driveways. Gravel costs $0.50-$2.50 per square foot on average installed compared to $5-15 per square foot for concrete. The simple installation process also makes DIY gravel driveways very cost-effective.
How long does a gravel driveway last?
A properly constructed gravel driveway can last 5-10 years or more before needing resurfacing, compared to 15-20 years for concrete. Longevity depends on climate, drainage, traffic volume and quality of installation. Proper maintenance also prolongs the lifespan of a gravel driveway.
What kind of gravel is best for driveways?
Angular crushed gravel in 3/4 to 1 1/2 inch size works best for driveways. The angular stones interlock well for stability. Smooth and round gravel compacts too easily. Larger stones up to 3 inches can line edges to prevent scatter.
Does gravel get into the house?
Some gravel tracks can get into home interiors from vehicle tires and footwear. Laying down outdoor mats at entrances helps remove grit before entering the house. Avoid fine gravel sizes that easily get lodged into tread. Installing a paved driveway apron also minimizes track-in.
Is it cheaper to pave or gravel a driveway?
For long narrow driveways, gravel is the cheaper option, while paving is lower cost for wider driveways, based on material and labor costs. Asphalt prices are comparable to gravel for smaller driveways but concrete is far more expensive. Overall gravel is the most economical driveway material.
Is a gravel or dirt driveway better?
Gravel is better than a dirt driveway in every way – more stable surface, better traction and drainage, and lower maintenance. Dirt turns to mud easily, requires frequent reshaping/grading, and causes far greater dust issues than gravel. The crushed stone gravel provides a much more reliable driving surface.
How do you strengthen a gravel driveway?
Use a geotextile fabric base, make sure the gravel is angular crushed stone, and compact it thoroughly during installation. Applying gravel binders or sealants helps lock stones together for added strength. Proper grading/crowning for drainage and maintaining a 6-8 inch gravel depth also improves the structural integrity of the driveway.
How do you stop gravel from shifting?
Gravel shifing and scatter can be minimized by using larger gravel stones, sealing the driveway with binder products, installing borders/edging along the perimeter, and re-compacting the surface whenever depressions appear. Avoid excessive turning of vehicle tires which flings gravel.
How do you fix ruts in a gravel driveway?
Fixing ruts and depressions in a gravel driveway involves removing the displaced stones, filling the rut with fresh gravel, compacting it down firmly, and grading the surface to improve drainage. Severe ruts may require rebuilding that section of the base beneath the gravel before refilling and resurfacing the area.
How do you get rid of weeds in gravel?
To remove weeds from gravel driveways, use manual weeding, vinegar-based sprays, or corn gluten-based organic weed inhibitors. For severe weed problems, solarization with clear plastic sheeting can heat up the gravel to kill underlying weed seeds and roots. Avoid herbicides that linger in the soil.
Conclusion
Gravel driveways provide many benefits like affordability, drainage, and low maintenance that make them a smart choice for homeowners wanting to save on costs. However, potential issues like tracking of gravel, erosion, and dust need consideration as well when deciding about a gravel driveway installation. With proper construction and maintenance, a gravel driveway can be very long-lasting while enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Weighing the advantages against the drawbacks will help determine if a gravel driveway is the right fit for your home and lifestyle.