My existing driveway, about 175 yards long, is gravel, with the area outside of my garage being blacktop. I live on a 13 acre horsefarm. I want to create more of a country estate feel by having a packed pea-gravel drive and parking area to replace the granite and blacktop. Does anyone know the procedures for doing this or a good link that goes into detail on how to do it? Thanks.
Pea gravel driveway
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dholly
Platinum Member
I used pea gravel on a drive once. It just ended up rolling off into the grass. Then I topped with crusher run which locked everything together and stayed in place much better. Can't roll if it ain't round. Alot easier on the snowblower too. Just a thought.
dmftoy1
Silver Member
I'm not an expert, but around here they have what they call "tar and chip" roads which are basically a layer of oil, followed by a layer of tar which they then drop pea gravel on top of very thickly. The pea gravel packs down into the tar and looks almost like what you're talking about. FWIW.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
PineRidge
Super Member
You don't want pea gravel unless you like to slide in and out of your drive. There are much better choices for drive toppings. We use crusher run w/dust to hold it and pack it together.
djradz
Veteran Member
Pea gravel is a poor choice as it forever moves and is also more prone to wash-out. Used crushed stone, about 1/2" to 1" in size. The unwashed grade is best as it will have some fines in it that will help it even further to stay put. Usually you want at least 1" thick but often more is used. Too much and the drive will have a little softer feel however. Best bet is to use as much fill of something like a "road-mix", equivalent to what counties use to construct their roads, to build up the drive, then top it with the stone 1" to 2" thick.
Tim_in_IA
Platinum Member
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dholly,
I had a pile of pea gravel that I was going to use for a kennel and ended up not needing it. I put it down on the drive that goes to the back of my place, and just as everyone has pointed out, it moves all over the place. I was interested in your post about putting crushed rock on top. Will it work into the pea gravel and stabilize it or do I need to scrape this crap up and start over. (I am crossing my fingers for option 1
)
I had a pile of pea gravel that I was going to use for a kennel and ended up not needing it. I put it down on the drive that goes to the back of my place, and just as everyone has pointed out, it moves all over the place. I was interested in your post about putting crushed rock on top. Will it work into the pea gravel and stabilize it or do I need to scrape this crap up and start over. (I am crossing my fingers for option 1
)dholly
Platinum Member
Tim -
I put healthy layer of unwashed fine crusher (1/2" I think?) directly on top of the drive and it worked in just fine. Once the crusher settled it got very hard, and the pea gravel stayed put and never 'floated' to the top. It held up quite well to traffic, so no reason to think it wouldn't work for your kennel too. 1"-2" unwashed crusher may a little too large though, to properly fill in the voids if your pea gravel is on the smallish side. You know, just plan accordingly...
I put healthy layer of unwashed fine crusher (1/2" I think?) directly on top of the drive and it worked in just fine. Once the crusher settled it got very hard, and the pea gravel stayed put and never 'floated' to the top. It held up quite well to traffic, so no reason to think it wouldn't work for your kennel too. 1"-2" unwashed crusher may a little too large though, to properly fill in the voids if your pea gravel is on the smallish side. You know, just plan accordingly...