How to Install a Gravel Drive

Mark the location of your gravel drive using landscaping spray paint. Dig the foundation hole for the driveway between the marked lines. Remove any rocks from the area and dig down about 4 to 6 inches, depending on the hardness of the soil. The harder the soil the less depth you need for the gravel. Use a spade, or rent a compact excavator for longer driveways. The driveway base must be level with a slight slope toward its base away from any structures.

Compact the base of the drive with a vibratory plate compactor. Run the compactor over the soil in the hole until you've packed the soil as solidly as possible. This solid base keeps the gravel from shifting or sinking and creating potholes.

Cover the soil with a sheet of geotextile fabric. Roll the sheet in place with a helper. Cut the sheet with a utility knife to fit within the hole.

Pour the first layer of #3 stone gravel over the fabric. Make a 2 to 3-inch layer. This is a fist-sized stone with angular sides that won't shift beneath vehicles. Compact the layer of stone with the compactor.

Cover the #3 stone with a 2-inch layer of #57 stone, about the size of ping pong balls. Compact this layer.

Place the final layer of gravel over the #57. Use crusher run, a mixture of stones from thumb-sized down to pea gravel with stone dust mixed in as well.

Shape the final stone layer with a garden rake. Create a slight crown down the length of the drive with the center of the driveway about an inch higher than the sides, sloping slightly from center to edge. Compress the stone with the compactor so that the edge of the drive is even with the surrounding landscape.

Wet down the drive with a hose to help the stone dust bind the crusher run together. Allow the drive to dry before use.