Steep gravel driveway advice

[scoutcub]

Thought it was going to be in the budget for a hard surfaces driveway this year, but as it's going most likely not. Many other projects eating up $$$$.
So, with either blacktop or concrete driveway in mind for the future, (leaning towards blacktop) what kind of gravel should I use for a 180' fairly steep driveway? Concrete contractor was here yesterday, says he uses #57. (under concrete) My concerns are traction in the winter, especially for the wife & kids.
Just #57 alone, or can I add a "filler" on top to make a good surface for traction/plowing this winter?
I've read a few threads on the recycled asphalt and am interested, could I use this over gravel now, and then blacktop over it next year? Same type of gravel for either concrete or blacktop?
Long ago I was at a gentleman's house buying a mower, and he had a perfectly packed, groomed, level gravel driveway.....might as well have been asphalt as nice as it was. He told me the mix he did to get it, but of course I've forgotten those details now....
Will also have a landing to the existing garage & future garage at the top of the driveway, fairly level.
Any and all input is appreciated....I can provide pics if it will help. TIA!

 

[firefighter jim]

57 limestone. Limestone will lock together. Will give good traction until it ices over in Winter. Do not use river and do not use slag on hills. If drive has a southern exposure you're better off. Good luck. We have about 1/2 mile of hilly drive to maintain and it's a constant battle.

 

[MarkV]

Around here on a steep drive I have always had the best luck with crusher run, called road base in some areas. The stone dust helps lock it together and hold it on the hill as long as the road drains well. When I have tried #57 it tends to migrate down hill with time.

MarkV

 

[smstonypoint]

Around here on a steep drive I have always had the best luck with crusher run, called road base in some areas. <snip>

MarkV

And "ABC" in some areas.


Steve

 

[Frankdozer]

My steep driveway is also done with road base. But it's so steep that 2 wheel drive cars have to get a running start to climb it. If they go slow or stop part way up then they can't get going again. Most visitors just gas it and dig holes, then backup and get a running start. I then have to use my 8' wide by 12' long chain link fence to flatten it. The fence digs up all sort of rocks and makes it almost worse.

 

[MikeInEburg]

The "classic" solution is to make is less steep by cutting across the face of the hill instead of straight up. Any possibility of a switchback of sorts? We have a neighbor with steep drive and they simply hate it every winter...
Mike

 

[Frankdozer]

Here's the driveway..............

 

[Dave5264]

Good base of Crusher Run to start. wait a month or so, get it well packed and then add the Ashphalt Gridings on top.


if you already have a good base, just go with the Grindings

 

[firefighter jim]

Here's ours..............Topsoil was stripped, shale base added, 57 limestone topping, ditch on uphill side with rip rap....................

 

[MarkV]

Jim that ditch is a thing of beauty great views also. Looks like you were dealing with runoff from above more than anything. As far as the drive, that isn't near as steep as what I was dealing with. There reaches a point that whatever gravel you use if it is steep enough concrete is the only thing that will stand the test of time.

MarkV

 

[firefighter jim]

Jim that ditch is a thing of beauty great views also. Looks like you were dealing with runoff from above more than anything. As far as the drive, that isn't near as steep as what I was dealing with. There reaches a point that whatever gravel you use if it is steep enough concrete is the only thing that will stand the test of time.

MarkV

Mark, Thanks. Original ditch was deteriorating at a fairly quick pace and therefore had to reditch and add riprap to slow water and keep erosion in check. There's still alot more drive that you can't see in the pics which is fairly steep in spots. A bit dicey in the Winter to say the least!

 

[sjb]

I would talk to the trucker that you are going to use to haul the gravel. What works best is something that varies a bit region to region, and the guys that haul it every day usually have a pretty good idea of what will hold up, and what wont.

I'm in western mass, and have a driveway similar to yours. I used what is known here as shoulder stone. It is similar to crusher run with bigger ( 3/4"") pieces mixed in. It has held up for me.

Stan

 

[Ken45101]

Oh you have it easy, LOL. We have about a 175' elevation climb on our driveway (up to 10% grade). Fortunately, most of it was concrete long before we bought the place.

As has been noted, crushed stone designations vary from state to state. I get mine from both Ohio and Kentucky. Kentucky looks at me in total confusion when I use Ohio designations (e.g. 57, crusher run, 304, #4, etc.) BTW, 304 is crusher run (fines) with up to 3/4 stone mixed in.

If you have good solid ground, you can go with something like 57. But I think that spinning tires will throw it around. #4 may be better. When I modified (widened ours), anything small just disappeared into the clay. I needed #2 (2-3" rock) so that it wouldn't sink in and disappear or be skidded away. #4 would be a compromise with 304 on the top to lock it together.

I've also used #2 as a base at another location on flat soft ground. Then #4 on top.

For a final solution, I would recommend concrete vs blacktop on a hill. Concrete will hold up much better than blacktop where running water may get under the edge and erode it and break it down. OTOH, blacktop may be cheaper (or maybe not) and will warm up somewhat better from winter sun.

Our driveway is bad enough that every winter we have some period where the only way up and down is with a 4 wheeler. Two years, I had to put chains on the 4 wheeler!

Ken

 

[Dave5264]

Another thing to consider (the drainage ditch reminded me), I have a vacation home with avery steep driveway. I put an inverted V shaped shallow trench at the top to prevent washouts.

Imagine the trench starts at the left side of the driveway, as it moves right towards the center it also moves up. At the center of the drive way It continues to the right side but now moves down, in effect foming an inverted V that will channel the water off to each side where its captured by drainage pipes and taken away. (sorry no pics)

this gravel driveway got washed out 3 yrs ago after a major storm and 20 tonnes on gravel got washed away in a heart beat. it was horrendous. didnt want that again so i put in a series of these diversionary trenches and pipes to better manage the water. we back on to a huge rock out-cropping, so when the rain comes on heavy for hours on end (which it has), it doesnt soak into the soil, it just starts running down the rock and ulitmately ends up in my parking lot and cascading down the drive way.

I spent one entire summer watching where the water came from and went to during these storms to better position these water management trenches & runoff areas.