{"id":4014426,"date":"2022-08-28T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-28T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/housecaravan.com\/?p=4014426"},"modified":"2022-09-12T23:33:57","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T04:33:57","slug":"what-size-of-gravel-do-i-need-for-my-driveway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/housecaravan.com\/what-size-of-gravel-do-i-need-for-my-driveway\/","title":{"rendered":"What Size of Gravel Do I Need for My Driveway?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You might be thinking about the best size of gravel that you need for your driveway. Gravel comes in a wide array of sizes. They can be as little as grains of sand to as big as crushed rocks. Moreover, it is made from any natural stone and comes in many colors. If you are planning to have a gravel driveway, one of the things that you need to consider is the size of the gravel that you need to use. Read below to learn more about the topic.<\/p>\n

What size of gravel do I need for my driveway? There is no standard size of gravel for driveways and you can use any size that you think would suit best your property. On the other hand, the common gravel size that homeowners use for driveways is #3 gravel. This gravel measures 1 to 2 inches in diameter. It provides a solid, sturdy foundation, and adequate drainage for your driveway.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gravel is one of the cheapest options that you can have for your driveway. However, they need regular maintenance. Which gravel should you use for your driveway? What size of gravel is best for driveways? How long does a gravel driveway last? What are the different layers of a gravel driveway? These are some of the questions that we will discuss below.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"What
Photo by Timcompound<\/a><\/strong> from Pexels<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

What is the Best Size of Gravel for a Driveway?<\/h2>\n

Generally, the gravel for driveways should be between about 3\/8 and 3\/4 inches in diameter. They should be larger as compared to gravel that is used in pathways. Moreover, you need to consider the number of fines or the small granular material in the gravel. If you are not sure what gravel to use, you can ask for advice from professional driveway installers.<\/p>\n

Which Gravel to Use for Your Driveway?<\/h2>\n

The type of gravel that you need to use for your driveway depends on what you prefer as well as what best suits your area. There are three common sizes of gravel used in driveway installation. For the first layer, choose gravel that is as big as baseball-size rocks. These are referred to as the #3 gravel which provides a good foundation and drainage for your driveway. Moreover, the size of gravel prevents smaller rocks from disappearing into the soil.<\/p>\n

Different Sizes of Driveway Gravel to Choose From<\/h2>\n

There are different sizes of gravel that you can choose from for your driveway which include base gravel #3, item #4, crushed stone #57, crushed stone # 411, and pea gravel. Let us learn more about the different gravel sizes below.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"What
Photo by PAN XIAOZHEN<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Base Gravel #3<\/h3>\n

Bear in mind that gravel is graded by size. Usually, three different sizes of gravel are used in driveways. The gravel is placed in layers to provide a solid foundation and also to make sure that there is proper drainage. For the bottom layer, #3 gravel is a common choice. This size of gravel is made from machine-crushed stone and rock fragments.<\/p>\n

Item #4<\/h3>\n

Another gravel size that you can have for your driveway is item #4. This gravel is made up of sand, dirt, and machine-crushed stones that measure about the size of a golf ball. Furthermore, item #4 is available in various compositions. For instance, one composition is made up of recycled brick, concrete, rock, and other stones. Regardless of what it is made of, this size of gravel is ideal as a base layer for driveways.<\/p>\n

Crushed Stone #57<\/h3>\n

This size of gravel is usually used for the middle layer of the driveway. Crushed stone #57 is made from golf-ball-size crushed stone. Aside from driveways, this machine-crushed stone is a good choice when it comes to landscaping. The size of the gravel provides proper drainage.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"small-sized
Photo by Joshua Fernandez<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Crushed Stone #411<\/h3>\n

For the final layer of the gravel driveway, you can use crushed stone #411. It is made up of smaller gravel that is mixed with coarse rock dust called fines. The mixture of small stones and rock dust helps form a stable and solid surface that can withstand heavy traffic and vehicles.<\/p>\n

Pea Gravel<\/h3>\n

This size of gravel is an attractive option that you can use for the top layer. It is made up of smooth, small, and rounded weathered stones. Furthermore, this type of gravel is available in many colors. It is a popular choice for gravel driveways because it provides an attractive finish and smooth texture. On the other hand, the downside to this gravel is that the rounded stones do not lock together so they will move when a vehicle runs over them. As a solution, you can have an edging added to the driveway so that the material holds in place. We have also written this article that discusses if all concrete driveways crack<\/a>. You can check out the article to learn more about the topic.<\/p>\n

\u2705 Video – Gravel Types – Colors & Sizes<\/h4>\n

Cat in a Hammock shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses the different colors and sizes of gravel. If you are planning to use gravel for your driveway, you should take note that there are many gravel options to choose from. Check out the article for more tips and information.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n