6 Best Types of Gravel to Use for Your Driveway

If you’re going through the process of designing a driveway for your home, you already know there are a multitude of materials to choose from for construction.

The tricky part is selecting the best material that is cost-effective, durable, and looks dang good!

Gravel is one material that we love for driveways because of its versatility and low maintenance character. Plus, it’s super easy to install! In this post, we share 6 of the best types of gravel for driveways.

1. River Rock

River rocks are smooth, rounded stones that are collected from the banks of streams and rivers all over the world. These stones are medium-size, which admittedly shifts under the tires of vehicles. That’s why we recommend using river rock to edge the sides of a driveway, softening the transition from gravel to lawn.

2. Marble Chips

If you want an elegant look, marble ships are unique and lovely, giving off a splendid sheen under the sun. The only drawback is that it’s more expensive than other types of driveway gravel. As well, you’ll need another type of rock to edge your driveway so the chips stay in place when it rains. 

3. Pea Gravel

Pea gravel works best as a top layer for your driveway due to the pretty aesthetic it adds. These stones are small, round, and multi-colored, so they look natural against your landscape. Since pea gravel shifts under car tires, you’ll want to edge your driveway with larger rocks or pavers to keep it from traveling.

4. Jersey Shore Gravel

This pretty gravel mimics beach sand with its gold, yellow, tan, and white hues. It’s also a nice top-layer for driveways because of how it looks, so you’ll need a driveway border to keep it in place.

5. Clean Stone

For the best results, you’ll want to put down at least three layers of gravel, and clean stone is best for the base layer. It’s made from fragments of machine-crushed stones, providing the perfect drainage for your driveway when it rains.

6. Gravel #4

Known simply as #4, this is another great foundation layer that is a mixture of crushed stone, sand, and dirt. This is often used as the layer before paving is put down for roads.