How to gravel a driveway: A step-by-step guide to getting the job done

Jun 27, 2025

Gravel driveways are a relatively easy DIY addition to update the entrance to your home. There’s something about that familiar crunch of tyres on a gravel driveway that signals the sound of home.

If you’re looking to recreate that charm, or simply need a durable, low-maintenance surface, knowing how to gravel a driveway is a great place to start.

Gravel driveways are cost-effective, low maintenance, and excellent for drainage. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to colours and stone types too, giving your home kerb appeal and plenty of character.

What’s more, if you prepare it properly, and put some effort into maintaining it, a gravel driveway can last for years, standing up to vehicles, foot traffic and the elements.

This step-by-step guide will take you through everything you need to know to create a durable, great-looking gravel driveway.

Why choose a gravel driveway?

Gravel driveways are a popular choice across the UK as they’re incredibly versatile and relatively cheap to install. Here’s why you might consider one:

Affordable: Gravel is a lot cheaper compared to block paving or tarmac, making it ideal for those who have a tight budget or for longer driveways where the cost quickly adds up.
Natural look: Gravel looks great in rural areas, period properties, and traditional homes, allowing your home to blend beautifully with the surrounding landscape.
Excellent drainage: As it’s a permeable surface, gravel allows rainwater to drain naturally into the ground, this helps to reduce the risk of puddles, flooding or the need for more drainage.
Easy to maintain: Unlike a fixed surface, gravel can be topped up, levelled, or reshaped over time with little effort. It’s also easy to make small repairs without having to redo the entire area.

Tools and materials you’ll need

Knowing what you’ll need before you get started is the key to getting the job done quickly, rather than having to run out to the shops every hour or waiting on deliveries. This is what you’ll need to gravel a driveway:

Gravel: Popular choices are golden gravel with its warm tones, limestone chippings which come in subtle greys and whites, or granite gravel which is hard-wearing and ideal for drives that are used heavily.
Sub-base material: MOT Type 1 crushed stone is essential for giving you a stable, well-draining foundation.
Weed membrane: A geotextile membrane will help stop weeds from growing, but water is still able to drain through it.
Rake, shovel, and wheelbarrow: To spread and level the materials.
Compactor plate: You can hire these from tool shops, they’re essential to compact the sub-base and gravel layers.
Edging materials: Keep your gravel contained and tidy with the installation of sturdy edging. Timber sleepers, stone blocks, or metal edging are all great options.

Step-by-step: How to gravel a driveway

Creating a long-lasting gravel driveway is all about preparation and layering. Here’s our step=by-step guide to getting it done right:

Step 1: Plan and measure

Measure the area you’re going to be covering so you know how much gravel and sub-base material you’ll need. (There are online calculators you can use.)
Decide on the gravel depth – typically you’ll want 50mm for walking on, and up to 100mm for vehicles.

Step 2: Clear and excavate the area

Remove turf, topsoil, or the old surface of the drive.
Excavate to a depth of 150-200mm, to give you room for the sub-base and gravel layers to go on top.

Step 3: Install a sub-base layer

Add a layer of MOT Type 1 hardcore in a minimum of 100mm depth.
Use a plate compactor to compress the material so that you get a firm, level base. This will create the structural support that is needed for vehicles.

Step 4: Add a weed membrane

Roll out a permeable weed membrane to sit across the entire area.
Not only will it block weeds from growing, it still allows water to drain through, so you get a low-maintenance driveway.

Step 5: Install edging

Keep the gravel contained within your drive and stop it spreading past your boundary with sufficient edging.
It also creates a smart, uniform look by defining your driveway shape.
Timber sleeps, stone blocks, or metal edging can all be great for edging.

Step 6: Spread the gravel

Tip or shovel gravel across the area to a depth of 50-75mm.
Rake it evenly, you could also lightly compact it for added stability.
Then you can add a second later to top it up or to finish off your driveway.

Best types of gravel for driveways

Not all gravel is made equal; choosing the right type will affect the look and performance of your driveway.

Pea gravel is smooth and rounded, which means it will move both underfoot and wheel. Angular gravel, also called crushed stone, locks together more securely, giving better stability for vehicles.

Popular gravel options include:

20mm Golden Gravel: Warm and decorative, this gravel also has excellent durability.
Cotswold chippings: The creamy limestone chips are ideal for traditional properties.
Grey slate chippings: This gravel will give you a bold, modern look for your driveway. Plus, it’s great for drainage and adding texture to your exterior.

The important thing is to avoid smooth, rounded stones like river rock or pea gravel. These aren’t ideal for driveways, as they don’t compact well and can easily shift.

Maintenance tips for gravel driveways

One of the big upsides to a gravel driveway is the fact that they’re relatively low-maintenance. But to help keep it looking its best, you can try out these simple tips:

Rake regularly: By taking the time to rake your gravel you’ll help to keep the surface even, this can be needed after heavy rain or when the drive has been used excessively.
Top up when it’s needed: Over time, you might find that your gravel things out or scatter. Try and keep it topped up so it looks fresh and neat.
Control weeds: When the membrane gets old or damaged, you might find that weeds start to poke through. Pull them out as and when you see them, and apply weed killer periodically.
Check for potholes: If dips or ruts start to appear in your driveway, fill the area with more gravel and compact it to help keep it in place.

Should you DIY or hire a professional?

The beauty of a gravel driveway is that it’s relatively simple to do, making it a great DIY job. If you have a small or simple drive, you’ll save money on labour costs by doing the work yourself. If you don’t have the tools needed, you can always hire them from local businesses.

However, if your drive is quite big, sloped or uneven, you might need professional help. If you’re not sure how to gravel a driveway, how to properly level the ground, install drainage, or lay a stable sub-base, hiring experts means you’ll get a professional finish without the worry of having to spend more later on if you do a botched job.

Gravel drives are still a popular choice for homes, with a timeless look that suits many styles of houses. Whether you’re going the DIY route or want a hassle-free, professionally finished result, Ovation Landscaping is here to help. We’ve got all of the materials you’ll need and can offer our expert advice on the next steps to take. Get in touch with us today.