How to Build a Gravel Driveway — Materials, Layers & Cost Guide

A gravel driveway is one of the most durable and affordable driveway options available — if built with the right layered base. This guide covers the 3-layer system, exact material quantities, and how to do it right the first time.

The 3-layer system

A gravel driveway that lasts needs three distinct layers, not just a single dump of stone:

Layer	Stone type	Depth	Purpose
Base	#2 or #3 crushed stone (2–3 in pieces)	4–6 in	Structural foundation, drainage
Middle	#57 crushed stone (3/4 in)	2–3 in	Binds base to surface, bridges gaps
Surface	3/4 in crusher run or DGA	2 in	Driving surface, compacts firm
Total		8–11 in

Material quantities for common driveway sizes

Driveway size	Area	Each layer (cu yd)	Total tons
10×20 ft	200 sq ft	~0.8	~5 tons
12×50 ft	600 sq ft	~2.5	~14 tons
14×100 ft	1,400 sq ft	~5.7	~32 tons
16×200 ft	3,200 sq ft	~13	~72 tons

Based on 4 in base + 2 in middle + 2 in surface = 8 in total. Crushed stone ≈ 1.4 tons/cu yd.

Calculate your driveway

Step 1: Length × Width = sq ft

Step 2: Sq ft × Depth (in) ÷ 324 = cubic yards per layer

Step 3: Cubic yards × 1.4 = tons

Or use the Gravel Calculator to get all three layers at once.

Step-by-step build process

Step 1 — Mark and excavate

Stake your driveway edges. Excavate 8–11 inches below finished grade. Grade toward the center or edges for drainage — crown at center (2–3% slope to each side) is standard.

Step 2 — Install base layer

Spread 4–6 inches of #2 or #3 crushed stone. Compact with a plate compactor or vibratory roller. This layer must be completely level and well-compacted before adding the next.

Step 3 — Add middle layer

Spread 2–3 inches of #57 stone. Compact again. This layer fills voids in the base and provides a transition to the finer surface material.

Step 4 — Surface layer

Spread 2 inches of 3/4 in crusher run or DGA. Compact thoroughly. This is the layer that will be compacted into a near-solid surface by vehicle traffic over time.

Step 5 — Edge restraints and drainage

Install plastic or timber edging along both sides to keep gravel from migrating. Dig shallow drainage ditches alongside the driveway if the area doesn’t drain naturally.

Maintenance schedule

Task	Frequency
Regrade after winter	Every spring
Add 1–2 in fresh surface stone	Every 3–5 years
Clear drainage ditches	Every fall
Fill ruts and low spots	As needed

Cost estimate

Driveway size	Material cost	Professional grading
10×20 ft	$150–$400	$300–$700
12×50 ft	$450–$1,100	$800–$2,000
14×100 ft	$1,000–$2,500	$2,000–$5,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How much gravel do I need for a driveway?

A standard 2-car driveway (12 ft wide × 50 ft long = 600 sq ft) at 4 inches deep needs 7.4 cubic yards or about 10–11 tons of crushed stone. Add 10% waste for a total order of about 8 cubic yards / 11–12 tons.

How many layers of gravel does a driveway need?

A properly built gravel driveway has 3 layers: 4–6 inches of large base stone (#2 or #3 crushed stone), 2–3 inches of intermediate stone (#57), and 2 inches of surface stone (3/8 inch crushed gravel or pea gravel). Total depth: 8–11 inches for a new driveway.

How long does a gravel driveway last?

A well-built gravel driveway lasts indefinitely with annual maintenance — regrading and adding 1–2 inches of fresh surface gravel every 3–5 years. Total stone is never truly "used up," it just migrates to the edges over time.

How do I keep gravel from washing away?

Grade the driveway to crown in the center (higher in the middle than edges) so water runs off to the sides. Install drainage ditches alongside the driveway. Use angular crushed stone rather than rounded pea gravel — angular stone interlocks and stays in place better.

What type of gravel is best for driveways?

Crusher run (also called road base or item 4) is the best base layer — it compacts hard like asphalt. For the top surface, 3/4 inch crushed stone or dense grade aggregate (DGA) is ideal. Avoid pea gravel and river rock — they shift under traffic.

How to Build a Gravel Driveway — Complete Project Guide