How to Improve a Wash Stone Driveway

Re-grade the driveway. Run a riding mower or vehicle with a drag or blade attachment over the driveway several times. Maintain or create a slight crown in the middle of the driveway so that water will drain easily. A suitable driveway cross-section may have about one-half inch of rise per horizontal foot. Make sure that there are no berms, gravel, or soil that have built up along the driveway edge, preventing drainage. For a short driveway or small area, ample effort with a garden rake may provide a more efficient option than large machinery.

Fill in any potholes or low spots with additional stone either imported or scraped from high spots.

Apply a herbicide, if needed, to address any vegetation. Avoid pulling large amounts of weedy vegetation at a time unless the area will be compacted shortly, as this can loosen the stone.

Clear or otherwise maintain ditches or other features that the gravel driveway may have, especially if the driveway is located on a slope. Maintain gently sloping, vegetated ditches that direct runoff away from the driveway and any structures.