How to Build a Gravel Drive

Measure and mark the location of the desired driveway. Place a garden hose along the sides and end of the driveway as desired, or mark the location with spray paint. Provide the gravel supplier with these measurements; they will need to know them to provide you with enough gravel to fill the area. The depth will be 12 inches deep, and a typical one-car driveway is approximately 12 feet wide.

Remove the dirt and debris from inside the designated area. Repeatedly measure the depth to maintain a constant measurement of 12 inches. A skid loader can be rented at most equipment rental and home improvement stores.

Compact the dirt inside the area to create a strong surface, using an electric compactor. Fill any low spots, and ensure that the entire area is smooth and compacted.

Place landscaping fabric over the compacted dirt. Smooth the fabric and overlap edges approximately 6 inches. Hammer 6-inch landscaping staples into the fabric to hold it in place. Allow the fabric to overlap and crawl up the sides of the area.

Fill the area with 4 inches of large angular stone. Dampen the stone with a light misting of water to limit the amount of dust that is caused by the compactor. A garden hose with a misting nozzle can be used. Compact the stone with the electric compactor. Ensure that the stone has a constant height of 4 inches and is tightly compacted. Run the compactor over the area several times.

Position landscaping edging against the sides of the driveway. Depending on the type of edging purchased, it may have come with stakes. Hammer the stakes into the ground to hold the edging into place. If the edging purchased does not include stakes, they can be purchased separately.

Measure the distance between the two edges to ensure there is an even measurement down the entire length of the driveway.

Fill the area with another 4 inches of angular gravel of a slightly smaller size than the base layer. Move the gravel inside the area with a metal rake. Dampen the gravel with a light misting of water. Compact the gravel with the electric compactor.

Fill the area with a top layer of 4 inches of smaller angular gravel. The height of the gravel should be 1 inch below the height of the landscaping edging. This should be approximately the same height as the ground level. The edging will protrude from the ground approximately 1 inch and will keep the gravel inside the designated area, preventing it from escaping onto the lawn. Move the gravel inside the area with a metal rake.

Dampen the gravel with a light misting of water. A garden hose with a misting nozzle can be used. This will limit the amount of dust caused by the compactor. Compact the gravel with the electric compactor.