Pros and Cons of Gravel for Driveways
Marvel at the best gravel for your driveway
Gravel is the elegant, practical, and durable choice for driveways. In addition to being an economical choice for longer driveways, gravel also offers excellent water drainage in wetlands or areas with heavy rainfall totals. However, "gravel" can actually refer to many different types of driveway materials that offer unique pros and cons. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that there are several different types of gravel for driveways after they begin researching this project. If you're wondering about the best gravel for driveways, this rundown of six types of driveway gravel to consider will help you narrow down your choice!
Pea Gravel
A top aesthetic choice for driveways, pea gravel is made of small, round river stones of different hues. The most common shades of pea gravel are cream, tan, grey, gold, black, and white. These stones have irregular characteristics that are caused by the smoothing that takes place due to natural weathering and erosion. Pea stone is considered so aesthetically elegant that it is commonly used for garden ponds. The average pea gravel cost is $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install | Can move over time |
| Generally comfortable under bare feet | Not suitable for tamping |
| Reasonably priced | Allows weed growth |
| Excellent drainage | Can be tough to clean |
| Little maintenance needed |
Crushed Gravel
Crushed gravel is a hybrid option that combines coarse sand with chunks of small stones with rounded edges. The most common rock types used to make crushed gravel include basalt, sandstone, and limestone. While it's possible to form a driveway entirely from crushed gravel, most people prefer to add an aesthetic touch by adding pea gravel or marble chips to the top layer. The average cost of crushed gravel runs from $0.75 to $1.80 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install | Doesn't perform well in areas with frequent snow removal |
| Resistant to shifting | Prone to ruts and bald spots |
| Comes in many different styles | Gets dusty |
Quarry Process
Also known as "crusher run" gravel, quarry process gravel is made from a combination of crushed stone and fine particles of stone dust. Its ability to settle into a compact, semi-solid form makes this one of the smoothest and most durable options. However, installing this material to slope toward the sides of a driveway is imperative for maximizing drainage. The average cost for crusher run gravel is $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Superior compaction properties create stability | Not as aesthetically appealing as other gravel styles |
| Excellent drainage when installed properly | Prone to weed growth |
| Durable |
Decomposed Granite
Also known as DG, decomposed granite is crushed granite that has been weathered and sized down into smaller pieces. Praised for its rustic look, this driveway material offers superior drainage due to its nearly unmatched permeability. It comes in a wide range of colors that include gold, grey, green, tan, and red. The average cost for decomposed granite is $1 to $3 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Earthy, natural appearance is perfect for a rural look | Often becomes dusty when dry |
| Excellent drainage in areas with heavy rainfall and runoff | Sometimes requires stabilization after a few years |
| Provides good traction for tires | |
| Good at suppressing weeds |
Jersey Shore Gravel
Commonly used in the Northeast, Jersey Shore gravel is known for its attractive golden color. While it is similar in size and smoothness to pea gravel, it actually takes on the look of sun-kissed beach sand. Its rounded structure makes this type of gravel a nice choice for homeowners seeking a pebble-like look. The average cost for Jersey Shore gravel is $4 to $8 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers a unique, high-end look | Doesn't compact as well as other options |
| Durable | Requires significant edging to prevent gravel from rolling away |
| Resistant to displacement when installed properly | Beach aesthetic might not work in all settings |
57 Granite Gravel
Also known as #57 stone, this option is made from crushed and screened aggregate. The "57" in the title refers to the sieve used to achieve the right particle size during manufacturing. A batch of 57 granite gravel is made from a collection of hard rocks that typically includes limestone and granite. After being crushed into smaller pieces, they are fed through sieves with mesh filters that only allow rocks sized between 1 inch and 1.5 inches to pass through. The crushing and filtering used to create #57 stone give this style its signature jagged edges. The average 57 granite gravel cost per square foot is $1 to $3.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent drainage | Angular style is more difficult to walk on compared to smoother alternatives |
| Uniform look | Larger stone size can cause tires to spin |
Choosing the Best Gravel for Your Driveway
All of the most popular types of gravel for driveways are suitable in most environments. However, you may get better results by selecting gravel for your new driveway based on the specifics of your property and region. Here's a look at the top factors to consider.
Drainage
Compared to asphalt or concrete, granite provides better overall drainage due to its permeability. However, some gravel materials are better than others when it comes to drainage. Quarry process, decomposed gravel, pea gravel, and 57 granite gravel are considered the best choices if the goal is to avoid the need to create a complex system for catching runoff in an environment with heavy rainfall.
Appearance
Gravel can either look rugged or refined. For a rough and rustic look, 57 granite gravel and decomposed granite can help to create a rougher, more unfinished aesthetic. Jersey Shore gravel is considered the most ornate type of driveway gravel. Pea gravel and crushed gravel both offer midline aesthetics that can vary based on the hues that are in the batch of gravel selected for your project.
Cost
With gravel priced between $0.50 and $8 per square foot, homeowners have a wide price range to select from when choosing different types of driveway gravel. At just $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot, pea gravel is considered the budget option. Jersey Shore gravel, which costs between $4 and $8, represents the highest end of the price spectrum. This option is an outlier for price due to the fact that it's mined by being dredged from the waters of southern Jersey.
Slope
If you have a sloped driveway, gravel that can be easily packed is optimal, and a local gravel driveway company can help you make the best choice. Choosing gravel with various angles and shapes can also help to keep gravel pieces interlocked to ensure good traction for vehicles. Some popular gravel options for sloped driveways include crushed stone and quarry process stone.