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Yes, and in many cases, you should. Large gravel works best as a base layer because it improves drainage and keeps the surface stable. A top layer of smaller gravel fills in gaps and creates a smoother, more compacted surface. This combination is common in driveways and high-traffic areas where both stability and comfort matter.

A yard of crushed concrete costs between $20 and $50. A single-car driveway will need 1.5 to 2.5 yards of crushed concrete, putting your material costs between $30 and $125, which is much less than you’ll pay for most driveway paving methods. Your total could vary based on the thickness you’re going for, and, of course, total prices will increase with added square footage for driveways that fit multiple cars.

There are a few ways you can reduce the cost of mulch delivery, including the following:

• Place your order in the winter months for spring delivery

• Choose a more affordable mulch color

• Opt for a more affordable type of mulch

• Place larger orders to get a lower cost per cubic foot

• Opt to lay your own mulch to save on installation costs

• Add on other delivery or landscaping services to save on travel costs

• Prepare a single delivery site in the front of your property, and use a wheelbarrow to move smaller quantities 

Keeping your gravel driveway beautiful—or any gravel structure for that matter—does call for regular maintenance. You may occasionally need to add more gravel to low areas if you notice any pooling after rainfall. Gravel might also become excessively dusty over time. You can compact it with a mechanical compactor, which you can rent for around $80 to $85 per day.

To minimize maintenance requirements for your gravel, it’s important to ensure your land is properly graded before installing the gravel. It’s also helpful to lay landscaping fabric beforehand to keep it in place.