Gravel driveways are cheap to install but can be a nightmare to maintain if done wrong. Simply dumping fresh gravel into a pothole does not fix it—it just hides it for a week.
The Layer System
A solid driveway needs three distinct layers:
- Base (4-6 inches): Large, jagged rocks ("#3" stone) that lock together.
- Crown (2-3 inches): Medium stone ("#57") for structure.
- Top (1-2 inches): Crusher run or fines mixture for a smooth driving surface.
The Crown
Water is the enemy. Your driveway should be higher in the middle than on the sides (a "crown"). This forces rain to run off into ditches rather than pooling in the middle, which creates mud and potholes.