A gravel driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot to install. Laying The Gravel. Now the easy bit, the finished surface. A heavy vehicle will shift the gravel around if you drive on it. To keep this from happening, purchase a gravel grid from a … It’s also a good idea at this point to lay down a layer of landscaping fabric. If you have a long approach to your garage from the street, you might want to install a gravel driveway. How Much Do Gravel Driveways Cost to Install? In order for your gravel driveway to have a solid and firm foundation, it needs to be carefully tamped or compacted down and all weeds, roots and other debris need to be removed. Leblanc said landowners can always go back in and build a culvert if one is needed to re-route water flow. The biggest mistake made by DIYers is laying the gravel too deep. Watch great videos here. Gravel Driveway Cost. Be sure to remove any grass or topsoil from the marked-off area. A gravel driveway installed using Gravelrings will produce a fully permeable gravel retention system and ensure SuDS compliance. The gravel performs no other purpose than to provide a decorative finish to the driveway. If your driveway is steeply sloped or close to your house, you’ll want to install a drainage system that reduces gravel loss, ponding, and potential damage to your driveway or foundation. Lay a gravel grid out if you’re pouring gravel for a driveway. A 12×25 (1-car) gravel driveway costs $300 to $900, and a 24×24 (2-car) driveway is $600 to $1,800.Costs depend on the size and depth, gravel type, soil conditions, labor, excavation, grading, permits, and optional grid stabilization. That’s a huge difference. Hunker has a good primer on a basic French drain system, which can be as simple as a gravel … Prepare: Determine the area that will make up the driveway using stakes and string. Build a gravel driveway in just days with the right gravel. Once the driveway is built and you begin using it, keep an eye out for gravel loss, unexpected water flow, and any potholes that may develop. A professional dump truck driver can spread the gravel as the truck moves and dumps. How to Create a Gravel Driveway. A gravel driveway is the least expensive driveway when comparing to other types, and if installed properly, can last up to 3 to 5 to even 10 years with regular upkeep and maintenance. Video Playback Not Supported. Gravel driveways cost a fraction of asphalt driveways. How to Install a Gravel Driveway. Do it right and the gravel driveway can last for decades with minimal care. Click here to read where one gravel driveway contractor says an $8,000 asphalt driveway would only cost $1,500 if done with gravel. Maintaining Your Gravel Driveway. Laying the gravel too deep not only costs more and takes longer but has no benefit to the performance of the finished driveway. Creating a stable gravel driveway Regardless of whether you are installing a gravel retention system on a flat or sloped surface, securing the system in place is a key step, but even more crucial on a sloped driveway. The key to a gravel drive is to make sure you have a good base of well compacted material before applying 4”- 5” of rock or limestone. Gravel that is spread on a surface without secure wooden forms or edges will eventually be squeezed outward from the driveway and will scatter on adjacent surfaces such as sidewalks, lawns, patios, or even a nearby street.