Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Ontario, WI

A gravel driveway costs from $1.25 to $1.80 per square foot, including materials and installation. Cost factors for this project include the type of gravel, its thickness, and the amount of site preparation required.

Consider these cost estimates for a 20-foot-long driveway:

• 1-car (240 square feet): $300–$432

• 2-car (480 square feet): $600–$864

• 4-car (960 square feet): $1,200–$1,728

Here are gravel driveways costs for a 50-foot-long driveway:

• 1-car (600 square feet): $750–$1,080

• 2-car (1,200 square feet): $1,500–$2,160

• 4-car (2,400 square feet): $3,000–$4,320

To prepare your yard for river rocks, smaller rocks may require laying landscape fabric to keep the stones from sinking into the ground while encouraging proper water drainage. You should also clear the land of weeds and larger boulders and, in some cases, test the density of the soil to ensure it can handle the weight.

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.

If you’re using crushed stone or gravel as a base material, then yes, you should compact it to prevent movement of the top layers. For instance, if you don’t compact crushed stone or gravel and you lay pavers on top of them, the pavers will shift over time. However, if you’re using gravel or crushed stone as a top layer for aesthetic purposes, you might not want to compact the materials.