Cost to Install a Gravel Driveway
With all the different types of driveways to choose from, why would you consider building a gravel driveway at your home? Driveways can be expensive to build or replace, but selecting gravel is a lower cost alternative to an asphalt or concrete driveway and it will be inexpensive to maintain.
Installation of a gravel driveway can be a DIY project, but it is recommended to have a professional driveway installer take care of it so it is installed at the proper depth for drainage and the materials are selected that will best suit your project.
In this Driveway Guides article we will outline the different types of gravel you can choose from, the advantages of each and help you estimate the cost of having one installed at your home.
Gravel has come a long way and you can find stones in other colors than grey such as blue, tan and red. Most of the stones used for gravel driveways are not the sharp sided gravel you are used to, but now have smoother edges and look very nice. Natural gravel will range in size from 1/10′ to 2.5 inches, while gravel that is primarily used for driveways is a mix of stone, clay and sand. Either can be used, but the mix will be less expensive.
Advantages of a Gravel Driveway
- Durable
- Can withstand heavy weight
- Inexpensive
- Low maintenance
- Designed to shed water and not flood
- Good for large or small areas
- Won’t crack or sink
- Can last upwards of 50 years with proper maintenance
Types of Gravel
Self Binding
A self-binding gravel is the most commonly used gravel – especially for a larger driveway. This gravel has many different sizes and will interlink (or bind) together as it is used under the weight of the vehicles. Over time, this driveway becomes a lot like concrete with repeated use.
Pea Gravel
Pea stone gravel (sometimes considered Pebble Gravel) comes in rich colors, not as sharp as regular gravel and has more consistent size. Since it is a bit more expensive, you probably want to consider pea gravel for a small driveway or pad.
River Stone
River stone is much like pea stone, but is even more attractive because of the many colors available. These rounded stones make it the least desirable for a large driveway because with repeated use the stones will separate and need to be raked often.
Cost of Gravel Driveway
Gravel costs anywhere from $25-$30 a ton plus the additional cost for delivery – usually $50-$100 based on how far the company has to come to deliver. Around 6 tons should be enough for an average single car driveway of 12 ft x 25 ft.
Cost of Gravel: $150 – $180
Delivery: $50-$100
Labor (includes grading): $60 – $100 per hr
Additional Cost Considerations
As it is with most jobs, there may be additional costs that are incurred than what we have listed above.
- Driveway is an odd shape
- Sloping of driveway
- Dramatic curves
- Cost to tear out existing driveway (Averages $50-$60 per hour)
- Depth of driveway (more than 3″ deep)
- Double width driveway
As you can see, there are many advantages to having a gravel driveway installed with cost being the most desirable. Always make sure to get several quotes from driveway installers because labor costs can vary dramatically in different areas.
