Gravel Driveway - reduce/control aggregate movement

paulsharvey · Aug 29, 2023

The difference between regional prices, and trucking distances, really do drive a lot of what is 'common' in an area. So at DBs prices, sand-clay would make zero since for driveway material; when asphalt millings (a better product IMO) is cheaper. We have lots of sand clay locally; but rock, only comes from pretty much Ocala/Newberry area (still us a shell-rock mine in Hastings, but they no longer vendor, only supply their own concrete plants).

Trucking was about $2/mile, don't know current rates; or the current hourly lease truck rates.

screamin400 · Aug 29, 2023

Pea gravel in a driveway? I have seen it. I have taken it out and never put it in. I cannot think of anything much tougher to walk on. When we build a driveway the first consideration is what is the goal. Meaning what does it have to hold. We just did a parking lot at a recycling co. that had tractor trailers in the 100k range parking on it. This was a very heavy clay base. We dug it down 24" and put down fabric. The put down 16" of number 4 crusher run. Here number #4 crusher run is 4 inch crushed stone with fines in it. It can take the weight. We then went into 6" of number 2 crusher run. 2' stone. The top coat was 2" of 3/4 minus. Makes it nice to plow etc. We never go over a 2" top coat due to the fact if you pull in your driveway the same way every day this fine stone will start to make tracks. The top coat is only there for appearance, ease to walk on and ease to plow. It has no real value in what it can hold. That is the job for the base. If not going to put in a base you may as well put stone on the grass. Last week we put in a 1600 foot driveway where the client was sure he wanted straight stone. I tried and tried to talk him out of it to no avail. When it snows he is going to hate me. I had him sign of that he wanted straight stone. I get asked to do one a year. We get a lot of snow here. I bet next spring he is calling for me to put on another top coat. I will post a couple pics of it if I can.