Is your driveway in need of a renovation? Does your home build require a new driveway? Do you desire something different from the standard concrete or asphalt, something that stands out from the pack while also standing up to wear and tear? Then a gravel driveway is a great choice. 

Gravel driveways have come a long way. No longer thought of as a fall-back, budget option when all else fails, today’s gravel driveway types are durable, easy-to-install, functional, cost-effective and stylish! 

While there are many types of gravel, not every kind of gravel is a good fit for a driveway. From limestone to marble and a variety of options in between, read on to learn more about choosing the right gravel for your home based on cost, appearance, drainage, and availability.  

GRAVEL DRIVEWAY TYPES

Limestone

Limestone is a popular choice for gravel driveways and comes in a number of sizes and colors. For example, #2 limestone ranges in size from 1-3  inches, while 304 limestone comes in 1 ½” to a fine powder.

We recommend 57 limestone as it is good for locking into your driveway, limiting the amount of dust in flat areas. 57 limestone is also good for hilly driveways and drainage as it stays put at the top of the hills. However, 57 can cause some vehicles to spin out.

Many homeowners choose limestone as their gravel driveway type because it’s affordable, durable, abundant, and great for areas that require a good deal of drainage due to its exceptional porosity. 

Once installed, limestone packs tightly, creating not only an attractive driveway, but also a long-lasting one, as the hard rocks can withstand the weight of vehicles and all types of harsh weather, resisting moving around and bouncing off or rolling into your lawn. 

Dense Grade Limestone

Dense grade (also called 411 limestone or ¾ crusher run) is a crushed limestone aggregate that is widely available and comes in a smaller stone size, from 3/4″ to powder form.

Typically, dense grade limestone is spread on top of a subgrade stone, then topped with a 304 or limestone. This type of limestone is mixed with stone dust to create a tight, sturdy surface once compacted during installation.

Although perhaps not as pretty as pure limestone, 304 acts as a great topcoat for flat or hilly driveways. Note, however, that dense grade gravel doesn’t drain as well as limestone in wet climates and shouldn’t be used near doorways, as it can get quite dusty. The price of dense grade depends on marketing conditions as well as its availability near you.

Crushed Concrete 

Crushed concrete is recycled concrete that comes from demolished concrete that has been reprocessed, crushed, cleaned, and ground into a reusable gravel. This is a great option if you’re looking for an environmentally friendly gravel driveway type. 

Readily available, crushed concrete (also known as recycled dense grade aggregate) comes in size ranges from 1″ to powder and is great for flat or hilly driveways. It’s also more cost-effective than paying for poured concrete and costs less than a natural stone driveway. 

This type of gravel driveway is good for wet areas, can be used together with other stone types, and works well as an inexpensive base layer upon which to add other types of more attractive gravel. 

Marble Chip 

Similar to the production of dense grade gravel, marble chips (also known as marble aggregates) are made by crushing and processing larger pieces of marble. Typically marble chips are white or off-white and give off a glittery, glossy appearance. 

While marble chips hold up to high traffic, provide adequate drainage, and are easy to find, they are considered one of the more costly gravels on the market. 

Now that you’ve learned all about gravel driveway types, we’re here to help you with an estimate and install.