DIY Builds
Photo by Francisco Davids Pexels Logo Photo: Francisco Davids

How many inches deep should a gravel driveway be?

12-18 inches The answer is anywhere from 12-18 inches. This is to give stormwater the proper amount of space to drain through your aggregate and into the soil below without flooding. The ideal depth of your gravel driveway will depend on how much rain your area typically gets.

truegridpaver.com - How Deep Should a Gravel Driveway Be? - TRUEGRID Pavers
Do you need a permit to build a fence in California?
Do you need a permit to build a fence in California?

Fence Laws In California: A Quick Overview Under California's Building Code, you must obtain a permit before building a fence that will be over 6...

Read More »
Last updated Jun 21, 2019
How can I save money building a garage?
How can I save money building a garage?

How to Save Money on the Cost to Build a Garage Forgo the windows or skylights. ... Build to size. ... Eliminate upgrades and accessories. ......

Read More »
Last updated Aug 19, 2020

Filed under Permeable Driveway • 5 minute read

Aside from asphalt and concrete, gravel driveways are some of the most popular nowadays. With so many different types of gravel as well as different methods of installing a new gravel driveway, it’s no surprise that many people are flocking towards this driveway material. You might be wondering how deep your new gravel driveway should be. There are a number of factors that can determine the depth of a gravel driveway, so in case you’re looking to build one, let’s take a look at everything that goes into determining how deep your gravel driveway should be.

Types of Gravel Driveways

There are two main types of gravel driveways, loose and stabilized. Loose gravel driveways are gravel driveways built without any subsurface of stabilizing elements, save for an exterior border around the edges. Loose gravel driveways don’t need to be deep at all because they don’t really require any digging. Even if you do prepare the surface of the earth by removing grass and cleaning up the area a bit, chances are you’ll be pouring your gravel right on the ground, so you don’t need to worry about digging. How deep should gravel be for a driveway with a sub-base? The answer is anywhere from 12-18 inches. This is to give stormwater the proper amount of space to drain through your aggregate and into the soil below without flooding. The ideal depth of your gravel driveway will depend on how much rain your area typically gets. If you aren’t using stabilizing pavers for your gravel and you’re just installing a gravel surface above a gravel sub-base, you may want to extend the depth of your driveway down to 18 inches, 6 inches for each layer of gravel. Assuming you’ll be using three types of gravel for this type of driveway, if you’re wondering how deep the gravel base should be for a driveway, it’s about 6 inches. The sub-base and the surface will also be about 6 inches of gravel as well, for a total of 18 inches.

Building a Gravel Driveway with TRUEGRID

Using stabilizing pavers like the kind made by TRUEGRID is the best way to make your gravel driveway last as long as you can. If you’re using TRUEGRID pavers and wondering how many inches deep a gravel driveway should be, the answer is about 7 inches (6” base depth, 1 or 1.8” TRUEGRID height). The TRUEGRID PRO LITE and TRUEGRID PRO PLUS paving systems are both 100%-permeable, so a driveway made with these pavers only needs 8 inches of depth to get the job done. The installation process for TRUEGRID pavers is very simple and requires only a basic excavation tool. This is great for anybody nervous about how deep a gravel driveway needs to be, in case you thought you might need some serious heavy-duty machinery.

How much smaller should a door be than the frame?
How much smaller should a door be than the frame?

Ideally, there should be a gap of about 1/8 inch at the top and along each side, and about 3/8 inch at the bottom. Aug 10, 2022

Read More »
Last updated Jan 5, 2018
How much would it cost to run plumbing to a shed?
How much would it cost to run plumbing to a shed?

And if you're looking to trick out your shed with a wet bar or convenient bathroom? Plumbing is an even more costly addition, starting at $1,000 to...

Read More »
Last updated Jun 8, 2021
Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »
Promotion

First, the driveway is excavated 7 inches deep (6” base depth, 1 or 1.8” TRUEGRID height), at which point a piece of fabric is laid at the bottom to provide separation for optimal drainage. Next, the base aggregate is spread and compacted, after which the interlocking TRUEGRID pavers are snapped into place as easily as LEGO blocks. Once this is complete, more gravel is spread over the top of the pavers to infill the TRUEGRID’s cells. This anchors down the pavers and prevents them from shifting at all. Once this is complete, so is the installation process. TRUEGRID pavers are great because there’s no guesswork involved. 7 inches is the standard depth of any residential gravel driveway built with TRUEGRID pavers, though you can go deeper in commercial settings or extremely flood-prone areas.

Take the Guesswork Out of Digging a Gravel Driveway

Installing a new gravel driveway can be a bit of an unsure process if you aren’t schooled on the topic. Whether you’re just looking to install a cheaper driveway option or you want to maximize your flood protection, the depth of your gravel driveway could vary anywhere from 12-18 inches in most cases. It can be harder to decipher your necessary driveway depth while using unstabilized gravel, but TRUEGRID can help you take the guesswork out of the process. Almost any driveway built with TRUEGRID permeable plastic pavers is going to be 7 inches deep (6” base depth, 1 or 1.8” TRUEGRID height). The permeability of the pavers and their effectiveness at draining stormwater makes it so that you don’t need to go deeper unless you are requiring more subsurface drainage and detention. If you want to build a durable, permeable, clean-cut, stylish, and eco-friendly gravel driveway that will never spread, rut, or require significant maintenance, get in touch with a pavement professional at TRUEGRID today for a free quote.

Related Posts

truegridpaver.com - How Deep Should a Gravel Driveway Be? - TRUEGRID Pavers
Will insulating a metal shed stop condensation?
Will insulating a metal shed stop condensation?

The insulation reduces condensation by stopping the warm moist air inside the shed from touching the cold metal surface. Insulation in between...

Read More »
Last updated Apr 10, 2021
What vegetables can you plant in March and April?
What vegetables can you plant in March and April?

Planting out vegetables and herbs. When the soil begins to warm and becomes workable, direct-sow early hardy crops: beets, broad beans, Brussels...

Read More »
Last updated Apr 7, 2021
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »
Promotion
What rodent repellent is best?
What rodent repellent is best?

Top 5 Best Mouse Repellents MaxMoxie Pest Repeller. Peppermint Essential Oil. Rodent Repellent 4 Scent Pouches. Exterminator's Choice Vehicle...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 31, 2020
Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »
Promotion
How do I keep rodents out of my shed?
How do I keep rodents out of my shed?

Walk the perimeter of your shed and look for any holes or cracks. You want to seal any that are larger than the size of a dime, as most mice will...

Read More »
Last updated Jun 6, 2021