Complete pricing, materials, and installation breakdown
If you're looking for the most affordable way to pave a driveway, gravel is almost certainly your answer. A gravel driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot, or roughly $400 to $1,200 for a standard two-car driveway. That's a fraction of the cost of concrete ($6-$12/sqft) or asphalt ($3-$7/sqft).
But "cheap" doesn't mean simple. The type of gravel you choose, whether you install it yourself, and how you layer it all affect durability, drainage, and long-term costs. This guide covers everything you need to know before starting a gravel driveway project in 2026.
Gravel driveway costs depend primarily on the size of your driveway and the type of gravel you choose. Here are average installed costs for the most common driveway sizes:
| Driveway Size | Dimensions | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Car | 12' x 20' (240 sqft) | $240 | $480 | $720 |
| Double Car | 20' x 20' (400 sqft) | $400 | $800 | $1,200 |
| Long Driveway | 12' x 40' (480 sqft) | $480 | $960 | $1,440 |
Low = basic crushed stone, DIY install. Mid = quality gravel, professional grading. High = premium gravel with fabric and edging.
These prices include the gravel material, delivery, and basic spreading. If your site needs significant grading, excavation, or the removal of an old driveway surface, add $500 to $2,000 depending on conditions. A longer rural driveway (100+ feet) can run $1,500 to $5,000 or more, since you're covering much more area.
Not all gravel is created equal. The type you choose affects both the upfront cost and how well your driveway holds up over time. Here are the four most common options:
Cost: $1 to $2 per square foot
Pea gravel consists of small, smooth, rounded stones about the size of a pea. It comes in attractive natural colors (tan, brown, white, gray) and is comfortable to walk on barefoot. However, pea gravel shifts easily underfoot and under tires. It migrates out of the driveway area over time and doesn't compact well, which means ruts form faster. Pea gravel works best for decorative borders, pathways, and short driveways with low traffic. It's not the best choice for a main driveway used daily.
Cost: $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot
Crushed stone (sometimes called crushed rock or angular gravel) is made by mechanically crushing larger rocks. The pieces have rough, angular edges that lock together when compacted, creating a firm, stable surface. This is the most popular choice for driveways. Common varieties include crushed limestone, crushed granite, and crushed bluestone. The angular shape means it stays in place much better than rounded gravel, and it compacts to form a surprisingly solid driving surface.
Cost: $1 to $2 per square foot
Item 4 (also called crusher run, DGA, or quarry process) is a mix of crushed stone and stone dust. The fine particles fill the gaps between larger pieces, creating an extremely dense, stable surface when compacted. This is the contractor's choice for driveway base layers and is also excellent as a standalone surface. It packs down almost like pavement and provides excellent drainage. The downside is the appearance — it looks more utilitarian than decorative stone. Many homeowners use Item 4 as the base and top it with a more attractive gravel.
Cost: $2 to $4 per square foot
River rock consists of smooth, rounded stones polished by water. It's the most visually attractive gravel option, available in a wide range of colors and sizes (1-3 inches is most common for driveways). However, river rock is the most expensive option and shares the same problem as pea gravel: the round shape means it doesn't lock together. It shifts under tires, creates ruts, and migrates to the edges. River rock works well as a decorative top layer over a compacted base, but it's a poor choice as the sole driveway material.
| Gravel Type | Cost/sqft | Stability | Appearance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | $1 - $2 | Low | Good | Pathways, light use |
| Crushed Stone | $1.50 - $2.50 | High | Good | Main driveways |
| Item 4 / Crusher Run | $1 - $2 | Very High | Basic | Base layers, heavy use |
| River Rock | $2 - $4 | Low | Excellent | Decorative top layer |
A well-built gravel driveway isn't just a pile of rocks dumped on the ground. It uses a three-layer system that provides stability, drainage, and a smooth driving surface. Skipping layers is the most common mistake homeowners make, and it leads to ruts, mud, and frequent repairs.
The base layer is the foundation of your driveway. It uses large crushed stone, typically 2-4 inches in diameter (often called #3 or #4 stone). These big angular pieces interlock to create a stable bed that distributes the weight of vehicles and prevents the driveway from sinking into the soil. The base layer should be compacted with a plate compactor or roller after spreading. Without this layer, your driveway will develop potholes and soft spots within the first year.
The middle layer uses smaller crushed stone, typically 1-2 inches in diameter (#57 stone is common). This layer fills the gaps left by the larger base stones and creates a smoother transition to the surface. It also improves drainage by preventing the surface gravel from settling into the base. Compact this layer thoroughly before adding the top layer.
The top layer is what you see and drive on. Use smaller gravel (3/4 inch or less) or crusher run for the surface. This layer should be smooth enough for comfortable driving but coarse enough to provide traction. Crushed stone or Item 4 works best here because the angular pieces lock together and resist displacement from tires.
Why three layers matter: A properly layered gravel driveway drains water efficiently (preventing puddles and mud), distributes vehicle weight evenly (preventing ruts), and lasts significantly longer than a single-layer installation. The total depth should be 9-13 inches. For most residential driveways, plan on approximately 1 ton of gravel per 50 square feet at the proper depth.
See how gravel stacks up against asphalt, concrete, and pavers for your specific driveway size.
Use the Free Calculator →One of gravel's biggest advantages is that it's a realistic DIY project for handy homeowners. But there are trade-offs to consider before renting equipment and ordering a truckload of stone.
Potential savings: ~50% off total cost
DIY gravel installation eliminates labor costs, which typically account for 40-60% of a professional quote. For a standard two-car driveway, you can expect to spend:
The biggest challenge with DIY is achieving proper grading. Your driveway needs a slight crown (higher in the center) or a slope to one side so water runs off rather than pooling. Without proper grading, you'll get puddles, erosion, and soft spots. If you have a flat, well-drained site, DIY is very doable. If you need significant grading or excavation, consider hiring a professional for at least that part of the job.
Typical cost: $2 - $5 per square foot (fully installed)
A professional installation includes site evaluation, excavation of the existing surface (if needed), proper grading for drainage, landscape fabric installation, all three gravel layers, compaction, and edging. For a standard two-car driveway, expect to pay $800 to $2,000 total. Professionals have the heavy equipment to grade the site properly and can complete the job in a day. They also know the local soil conditions and can adjust the base depth accordingly — clay soils need a deeper base than sandy soils.
| Cost Factor | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Materials (400 sqft) | $400 - $800 | $400 - $800 |
| Equipment / Labor | $275 - $475 | $400 - $1,200 |
| Grading & Prep | Included (your time) | Included |
| Total | $675 - $1,275 | $800 - $2,000 |
| Time Required | 1-2 full days | 4-8 hours |
Gravel driveways are affordable to install, but they do require more ongoing maintenance than paved surfaces. Here's what to budget for:
Over time, vehicle traffic pushes gravel to the sides and creates ruts in the tire paths. Regrading involves pulling the displaced gravel back to the center and smoothing the surface. Most homeowners need this done once or twice a year. You can do it yourself with a landscape rake and a few hours of work, or hire someone with a box blade attachment for $100-$200 per visit. This is the single most important maintenance task for keeping your driveway in good shape.
Gravel gradually migrates, sinks, and gets displaced. Plan on adding a fresh 1-2 inch top layer every two to three years to maintain the proper depth. For a 400 square foot driveway, that's $200-$400 every few years. You'll need to add material more frequently in areas with heavy rain, steep grades, or frequent traffic.
Weeds will grow through gravel, especially if you didn't install landscape fabric underneath. Options include pulling weeds by hand, applying granular weed preventer in spring ($25-$40 per application), or spot-treating with herbicide. Landscape fabric installed during construction significantly reduces weed problems for the first 5-10 years.
Snow removal on gravel is trickier than on paved surfaces. You can't scrape a plow blade flat against gravel without catching stones and tearing up the surface. Set plow blades 1-2 inches above the gravel surface to avoid displacement. Snow blowers work poorly on gravel. The best approach is a plow with shoes or skids set above the surface, followed by sand or additional gravel for traction. Budget an extra $50-$100 per winter for additional gravel to replace what the plow displaces.
| Maintenance Task | Frequency | DIY Cost | Professional Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regrading | 1-2x per year | Free (your time) | $100 - $200 |
| New gravel top-up | Every 2-3 years | $200 - $400 | $300 - $600 |
| Weed control | Ongoing | $25 - $75/yr | $75 - $150/yr |
| Winter gravel replacement | Annual (cold climates) | $50 - $100 | $100 - $200 |
Gravel is the cheapest driveway material upfront, but how does it compare over the long run? Here's a side-by-side comparison of the three most common driveway materials:
| Factor | Gravel | Asphalt | Concrete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per sqft (installed) | $1 - $3 | $3 - $7 | $6 - $12 |
| 400 sqft driveway cost | $400 - $1,200 | $1,200 - $2,800 | $2,400 - $4,800 |
| Lifespan | Indefinite* | 15 - 25 years | 25 - 40 years |
| Annual maintenance cost | $100 - $300 | $50 - $200 | $0 - $50 |
| Estimated cost per year | $150 - $350 | $110 - $290 | $85 - $195 |
*Gravel driveways last indefinitely with regular top-ups and maintenance, but require ongoing investment. Cost per year includes amortized installation + annual maintenance.
Gravel is the clear winner for homeowners on a tight budget or those who need a driveway quickly. It's also the best choice for very long rural driveways where paving would be prohibitively expensive. However, if you're looking at the 20-year total cost, concrete often wins due to its minimal maintenance needs and long lifespan.
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