Gravel Driveway Maintenance: Raking, Grading, and Refilling

Why Gravel Driveway Maintenance Matters

Gravel driveways cost a fraction of asphalt or concrete, but only if you keep them groomed. Left alone, ruts deepen, weeds invade, and stones scatter into the lawn—turning your “budget” surface into an expensive do-over. A simple rhythm of raking, grading, and refilling every 6–12 months keeps the surface smooth, drains water away from your foundation, and prevents costly re-installation.

Tools & Materials You’ll Need

The right gear cuts labor time in half and gives professional-looking results. Below are the “must-haves” and the “nice-to-haves,” whether you DIY or hire a local driveway service.

Hand Tools for Light Touch-Ups

• 12–14 in. landscape rake: Moves gravel without bending.
• Steel tine rake: Great for pulling weeds and loosening compacted stone.
• Shovel & square-point spade: For cutting edges and moving piles.
• Hand tamper or 4×4 “hand roller”: Packs fresh gravel into ruts.
• Wheelbarrow & buckets: Haul stone from street to back of drive.

Power Equipment for Full Grading

• 36–48 in. pull-behind box scraper: Hooks to lawn tractor; levels high spots.
• Front-loader or skid-steer: Ideal for drives longer than 200 ft.
• Power rake (York rake): Loosens compacted top 2 in. before refilling.
• Vibrating plate compactor: Rents for $60/day; locks stones in place.

Choosing the Right Gravel

Not all stone is driveway stone. Stick to angular, mixed-size aggregate that interlocks:

1. ¾” crushed stone with fines: Forms the rock-solid base.
2. ⅜” pea gravel (limited): Use only as a thin top-dressing; round stones shift.
3. Crusher run (¾” minus): Contains limestone dust—sets up almost like concrete.

Order 10–15 % extra to account for compaction and future touch-ups.

Step 1: Inspect & Diagnose

Walk your driveway the day after a hard rain. Any standing water tells you where the crown (center hump) has flattened or where drainage ditches have filled in. Mark problem spots with spray paint or flags so you can circle back after grading.

Measure Rut Depth

Slide a straight 2×4 across low areas. If the gap is deeper than 1 in., you’ll need fresh stone—not just raking. Anything under 1 in. can usually be feathered back level.

Check Edge Break-Off

Gravel drives lose 6–12 in. of width every year if edges aren’t supported. Look for tire tracks dropping off the side—an easy fix with a shovel and a handful of edge stones.

Step 2: Raking—The 30-Minute Tune-Up

Raking isn’t just cosmetic; it loosens compacted stone so water can drain instead of pooling.

Best Raking Pattern

1. Start at the top of the drive and work downhill.
2. Pull gravel from the edges toward the center to rebuild the crown.
3. Overlap each stroke 6 in. to avoid ridges.

Schedule

• High-traffic homes: quick rake every 4–6 weeks.
• Secondary drives: seasonal (spring & fall) is enough.

Tip: Moisten the surface lightly before raking—dust stays down and stones slide easier.

Step 3: Grading—Restore the Crown & Slope

A proper gravel driveway has a 2–3 in. crown in the center and 2 % side slope (¼ in. per foot) so water runs off into ditches instead of softening your sub-grade.

DIY Grading with a Box Scraper

1. Set scarifier teeth ½ in. deeper than the lowest rut.
2. Drive forward at 3–4 mph, allowing the blade to lift loosened stone.
3. Angle the blade so spoils flow toward the center, rebuilding the crown.
4. Make a second pass with teeth raised to smooth the surface.

When to Call a Pro

If your drive is 500 ft. plus, has multiple potholes, or you don’t own a tractor, hiring a local gravel driveway maintenance service runs $75–$125 per hour but saves you an entire weekend. Pros also bring laser levels to guarantee correct slope.

Step 4: Refilling—Add Fresh Stone the Smart Way

New gravel renews color, fills ruts, and replaces the fine particles that washed away.

Calculate Quantity

Length (ft.) × Width (ft.) × Depth (in.) ÷ 324 = cubic yards.

Example: 24 ft. × 60 ft. × 2 in. = 8.9 cu yd. Round up to 10 cu yd.

Spreading Tips

• Dump small piles every 8–10 ft. instead of one big mound—less shoveling.
• Keep fresh gravel ½ in. higher than the finished grade; it will compact down.
• Blend new stone into old by raking perpendicular to traffic direction.

Compact in Lifts

For layers thicker than 3 in., compact twice: once at 1½ in. and again at final grade. Water lightly before each pass; moisture helps fines lock together.

Bonus: Drainage & Edge Support

Even perfect grading fails if water has nowhere to go. Install or refresh these features during your maintenance window:

Clean Ditches

Shovel out leaves and silt so ditches flow to the street or a culvert. A 1 ft. wide by 6 in. deep V-ditch handles most residential drives.

Add Geotextile Edge Strips

Lay 6 in. wide landscape fabric under new gravel at the edges; it prevents stone from sinking into soft soil and reduces edge break-off by 50 %.

Consider a French Curtain

If spring water seeps across the drive, trench a 4 in. perforated pipe 12–18 in. deep, backfill with ¾ in. clean stone, and top with fabric & gravel. Water drops into the pipe before it can erode your surface.

Cost Breakdown: DIY vs. Pro

Prices vary by region and stone type, but budgeting $1 per square foot per year covers most routine gravel driveway maintenance.

Seasonal Maintenance Calendar

• Early Spring: Rake off winter gravel plow berms, fill potholes while ground is soft.
• Late Spring: Grade and compact before heavy summer traffic (graduations, parties).
• Mid-Summer: Quick rake after every 2–3 heavy rains; spot-spray weeds.
• Fall: Add ½ in. top-dressing to replace stone lost to mowing & leaf blowing.
• Winter: Use a plastic shovel edge; avoid metal blades that scrape stone into the yard.

Troubleshooting Quick Guide

Washboard Ripples

Cause: Fast acceleration or braking. Fix: Grade, then compact; post a 10 mph speed limit sign.

Muddy Potholes That Return in Days

Cause: Sub-grade is pumping water. Fix: Excavate 8 in. deep, lay geotextile fabric, backfill with 4 in. crushed base, then top with gravel.

Constant Edge Loss

Cause: No shoulder support. Fix: Install 4 in. × 4 in. treated timber or concrete curb just below grade; backfill with stone.

Gravel Driveway Maintenance FAQ