How to Add Gravel to the Top of a Driveway

Gravel driveways call for regular maintenance, as weather and daily wear disperse and break down the top layer of rocks. Once the crown develops tracks and berms along the edges, poor drainage can wash gravel away, making the surface difficult for vehicles to navigate. Adding new gravel over an existing driveway is a do-it-yourself project you can finish with basic tools and a day or two of labor, depending on the driveway length.

Rake
1 1/4 inch gravel
4-by-4 inch board
3/8 inch gravel
Shovel
Wood boards

Instructions

- 1
  Rake the sides of the driveway to level any berms and gather stray rocks from the lawn.
- 2
  Dump large gravel measuring 1 1/4 inches into any deep holes until it is 2 inches from the surface. Tamp it down with the end of a 4-by-4 inch board. Fill the remaining hole with small 3/8 inch gravel, rake it smooth and tamp it.
- 3
  Add a 2 inch layer of small gravel over the entire driveway. Spread the rocks out with a shovel and rake them so the surface is even. Compact the rocks to stabilize them and prevent them from scattering. If you don’t have access to a compactor machine, lay thin wood boards over the rocks and drive over them several times to apply equal force.
- 4
  Shovel a 2-inch layer of gravel onto the center of the driveway and rake it into a smooth crown so the sides are about 1/2 inch lower than the peak in the middle.

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