No More Standard Gravel Driveways: The Affordable, More Attractive Alternative

Gravel forms the bedrock of many driveways, but there are alternatives if you're sick of having to smooth and level a gravel driveway or are shopping for a more attractive look for your home. Crushed granite sounds like gravel going down, and looks a lot like regular gravel from afar, but it lasts much longer once it's properly installed. Gravel is a byproduct of natural erosion, so every piece is a different shape; some are smoother, while others are rougher. Crushed granite is made by, well, crushing solid granite into uniform, angular pieces that lock together much more tightly under compaction than gravel.

Crushed granite can be more thoroughly compacted than gravel while still allowing water to drain. Even if you take steps to keep gravel locked in place, it will shift and develop ruts over time. Properly installed and maintained, a crushed granite driveway can last for 20 years or more. The result is a stone driveway that keeps its signature look much longer than gravel.

In terms of cost, crushed granite is fairly competitive with gravel, averaging $25 to $50 per cubic yard, compared to $15 to $75 per cubic yard of gravel. However, the installation process is a bit more involved. A crushed granite driveway starts by excavating to the proper depth. For driveways expecting regular vehicle traffic, installers recommend digging to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Then, the base is graded with a slope to encourage proper drainage and may be covered with a layer of landscape fabric to keep the crushed granite from sinking into the soil.

Edge restraints are put in place along the driveway's perimeter to prevent shifting over time. The crushed granite is then dropped in and compacted in layers, 2 inches at a time. Installers recommend against dropping the full depth all at once because it won't compact properly, leading to eventual shifting. Water is applied during the process to aid compaction. Finally, the top layer, usually a finer grade of crushed granite to help fill in any gaps, is applied and compacted.

If you want a stone driveway that looks great and will last longer than gravel, crushed granite is the way to go. But there are other options out there. Another very popular alternative to gravel is decomposed granite, not to be confused with crushed granite! Although they are the same basic material, decomposed granite is very fine, almost like sand. You can buy crushed granite in various grades, but it's never as small as decomposed granite. Like crushed granite, decomposed granite can be compacted, but heavy rain and vehicle traffic can lead to rutting and displacement over time.

Crushed limestone is another alternative to gravel that offers many of the same benefits as crushed granite. Crushed limestone is usually cheaper than crushed granite, and its angular shape also compacts very well, but it doesn't resist long-term weathering and erosion like granite does. In fact, erosion from crushed limestone can gradually raise your soil's pH level, which gardeners with acid-loving plants should keep in mind. The decision between limestone and granite usually comes down to cost and which material is more readily available in your area.