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Step by step
How to build a gravel path or driveway
A gravel path is quick to build and easy on the budget, and it lets rain soak away. Done well, it stays firm and weed-free for years.
1. Plan the route and width
Mark the route with string or a hose. A garden path for one person needs about 60–90 cm of width, for two people walking side by side about 1.2 m; a driveway about 3 m. Make sure water drains away from the house and that the path has a slight fall.
2. Excavate
Remove turf and topsoil. For a path, dig about 10–15 cm deep; for a driveway, 20–30 cm or more on soft ground. Compact the bottom with a plate compactor or tamper.
3. Fit edging and membrane
Edging (timber, metal, brick or stone) keeps the gravel in place. Lay a permeable weed membrane (geotextile) over the compacted soil: it stops weeds and keeps the sub-base from mixing with the soil while letting water through.
4. Lay the sub-base
Spread crushed stone sub-base, about 7–10 cm for paths and 15–20 cm for driveways, in layers of no more than about 7–10 cm, compacting each layer. A firm sub-base is what stops ruts and soft spots.
5. Spread the gravel
Finish with a 3–5 cm layer of decorative gravel. Angular gravel of about 10–20 mm locks together and is easier to walk on; round pea gravel moves underfoot. Too thick a top layer feels like walking on a beach.
6. How much to order
Volume = length × width × depth for each layer. Add about 10% for compaction. Gravel is usually sold by weight, at about 1.5–1.7 tonnes per m³. The Gravel calculator works out both volume and weight.
Common mistakes
- Laying gravel straight onto soil without a sub-base.
- No edging, so gravel spreads into the lawn.
- A top layer that is too deep and loose.
- Using round pea gravel on a slope or driveway.
- Forgetting drainage, so water pools on the path.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should a gravel path be?
About 10–15 cm in total: 7–10 cm of compacted sub-base and 3–5 cm of gravel.
What size gravel is best for paths?
Angular gravel of about 10–20 mm; it locks together and is comfortable to walk on.
Do I need a weed membrane?
It is strongly recommended; it reduces weeds and keeps the layers separate.
How much does a cubic meter of gravel weigh?
About 1.5–1.7 tonnes, depending on the stone.
Can I build a gravel driveway myself?
Yes, but driveways need a deeper sub-base and a compactor.