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    Home » Home Decorating » Outdoors

    Published: Jun 14, 2021 · Modified: Jul 23, 2021 by Rachel

    How To Lay A Budget Friendly Gravel Path

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
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    Sharing our step by step tips for installing this budget savvy walkway. Using traditional materials, like gravel, mulch or crushed brick, this project is affordable and beginner friendly.

    During my parent’s home renovation, one of the biggest goals was to add inviting curb appeal and to spruce up the front exterior. Oddly, there was never a path to the front door. We were on a tight timeline and a budget, so a gravel path was the perfect solution. This simple little project made a HUGE difference!

    Gravel walkway under $100 diy project. Gravel walkway edged with paver stones leading to porch.
    Contents show
    1 Gravel Walkway Ideas
    2 Supplies You Will Need
    3 Types of Gravel for Walkways
    4 Step 1: Decide the Path Shape
    5 Step 2: Foundation and Trench
    6 Step 3: Add The Stone
    7 Step 4: Edge the path
    8 FAQs
    9 How To Lay A Gravel Path
    9.1 Tools
    9.2 Supplies
    9.3 Instructions
    9.4 Notes

    Gravel Walkway Ideas

    In about a weekend’s time, you’ll have a natural-looking, weed-free way to walk through your perfect landscape. These installs are great ways to cover unsightly high-traffic areas where grass just won’t grow. You aren’t limited to just a path! You can use these steps to create seating areas, fire pits, or cover areas that are hard to mow.

    Supplies You Will Need

    • A mattock or shovel to dig
    • Spray paint or string to mark the lines of the path
    • Landscaping tarp like this (you’ll want something tough enough to stand up to the rock grinding into it while walking)
    • Gravel (about 25-30 lbs per square foot depending on gravel size)
    • Edging (options discussed below)

    Pro Tip: For weed control and a strong foundation, sand or stone pack make for a great 2-inch base below the gravel. Landscaping tarp is another budget friendly option but may deteriorate over time.

    Types of Gravel for Walkways

    The size and type of gravel or crushed stone is a matter of personal choice. We chose 1 inch limestone rock chips.

    Gravel is most commonly made of either basalt, limestone, or sandstone. You can also purchase tumbled stone, which is rounded and smoother on the surface. You can use larger rocks or choose something like a pea gravel walkway which uses smaller, rounded stones.

    Step 1: Decide the Path Shape

    The cool thing about a gravel walkway is that you can create any shape you can imagine! Frolicking curves, narrow to wide, or rigidly straight. We used two garden hoses to perfect the shape we wanted and then spray painted the edge.

    Installing a front walkway for house. Spay paint lines mark the shape.

    Step 2: Foundation and Trench

    Dig about 4-6 inches evenly throughout the whole path. This allows for enough stacking of the stone so that none of the bottom will show through. At my parents’ house, the area right next to the steps tends to pool water, so we dug a little less there to compensate for even drainage.

    After digging the trench, we laid landscaping tarp over the area to keep weeds and grass from growing in our new path. The weight of the rocks will hold the tarp down, so there’s no need to stake it in the ground.

    As stated earlier, a sand or stone pack foundation will last longer. However, we were working in rock-hard Tennessee clay, so the soil is already compacted enough for a great foundation. If you live in a sandy soil climate, you may consider adding some stone pack for a solid base.

    Shoveling gravel over landscape tarp to create a walkway. Gravel is being shoveled by hand directly from a pickup truck bed.

    Step 3: Add The Stone

    Truth time. I’m not going to sugar coat it; this is a back breaking job if you’re laying a lot of gravel. We installed nearly 1800 lbs for this walkway. We had a local quarry load the stones into our truck, so that saved at least half of the lifting. The gravel was only $1 per 100 lbs at the quarry, so double win! Our new walkway is about 18 feet long and over 3 feet wide.

    We shoveled the rock into the trench until it matched the same height as the surrounding soil and landscaping. We wanted to allow for settling, so we didn’t skimp on the amount of stone.

    Pro Tip: For a 4-inch-deep trench, you need about 35lbs per square foot of gravel. This does not include additional depth for a base like sand, crushed rock, or smaller gravel.

    Paver stone border of loose gravel path walkway. Small garden with young plantings and fresh dark mulch sandwiched between house and path.

    Step 4: Edge the path

    There are a couple of different options for edging and designing the gravel path.

    For a tall edging, like these practical steel sections or these fun wooden logs, I recommend placing them before putting the gravel stone in. Most can come in both curved and straight variations or can be bent for customization.

    We chose to top the edges of our path with paver stones that interlock. To complement the path, we added new landscaping on the house side. The plants look a little small for now. But in a few years, those bushes will be bursting!

    Log style cabin home with bay window overlooks affordable walkway and small garden.

    What do you think? Big improvement- right?!

    If you’re curious about some of the other improvements we’ve been making to this craftsman log home, check out our other posts (seriously, the BEST before and afters!):

    • Painting a House Exterior
    • Seashell 80s Bathroom Remodel Reveal
    • How To Restore an Old Deck

    FAQs

    How do I calculate how much gravel I need?

    For a depth of 4 inches, you will need approximately 35lbs per square foot.

    Can I lay a gravel driveway?

    Yes, the instructions are similar as with a path. The base needs to be sturdy so I recommend a 2 or 3 layer system to keep the driveway lasting for a long time.

    How deep should a gravel driveway be?

    The gravel top layer should be at least 4-6 inches deep and laid on top of a bottom layer of crushed rock that is ideally 2-4 inches deep.

    What do you put under a gravel path?

    A gravel path is comprised of two layers. The layer under the gravel can be comprised of a landscaping tarp, crushed rock, or stone pack if using paver stones.

    Weekend DIY project. A pegboard organizer in the craft room above the desk workspace.

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    PS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag #cravingcreative on Instagram! You can also stay in touch with me through following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and subscribing to the newsletter!

    Gravel walkway path with flagstone border next to a small garden.

    How To Lay A Gravel Path

    Step by step tips for installing a budget friendly gravel walkway. Using traditional materials, like gravel, mulch or crushed brick, this project is affordable and beginner friendly.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 40 minutes
    Project Time: 2 days
    Total Time: 2 days 40 minutes
    Author: Rachel
    Cost: $100

    Tools

    • a mattock or shovel

    Supplies

    • Marking Paint or String to mark the lines of the path
    • Weed Control Base *See Notes for options
    • Gravel 30-35lbs per square foot depending on size
    • Edging Material

    Instructions

    • Decide the shape of the path. Spray the outer shape with marking paint or use string.
      Installing a front walkway for house. Spay paint lines mark the shape.
    • Dig a 4 inch deep trench evenly throughout. Adjust for areas that may pool water. If you plan to use a 2 layer system, dig at least 6 inches deep.
      Installing a front walkway for house. Spay paint lines mark the shape.
    • Lay a foundation to keep weeds out and to help keep the gravel packed down. For sandy or loamy soils, adding stone pack creates solid base. For hard soils that don't grow grass well, you can use a landscaping tarp to keep weeds out.
      Shoveling gravel over landscape tarp to create a walkway. Gravel is being shoveled by hand directly from a pickup truck bed.
    • Add the gravel stones. For a 4 inch depth, you need about 35lbs per square foot.
      Gravel walkway path with flagstone border next to a small garden.
    • Edge the path with landscape edging, paver stones, or natural barriers like logs.
      Front of craftsman log cabin house with bay window and staircase that are stained.

    Notes

    Weed Control and Foundation Options
    For weed control and a strong foundation, sand or stone pack make for a great 2 inch base below the gravel. Landscaping tarp is another budget friendly option, but may deteriorate over time.
    What Gravel To Use
    The type of gravel you use is a personal choice. Gravel is most commonly made of either basalt, limestone, or sandstone. You can also purchase tumbled stones, which are rounded and smoother on the surface. You can use rocks from 0.5 inches up to 1.5 inches, or choose something like a pea gravel walkway which uses smaller, rounded stones. Smaller rocks tend to be more comfortable to walk on, but shift more under weight and weather.
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Bonnie Evans says

      July 07, 2022 at 5:41 am

      5 stars
      Directions were clear & concise. I ‘can do’.

      Reply
    2. Romayne says

      August 11, 2021 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars
      I’m doing this now. Great and simple instructions.

      Reply

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