How to Make a Gravel Driveway From a Solid Driveway

Break up the solid driveway so you can remove the existing concrete, stones or pavers. Use a jackhammer to cut into the surface and a pry bar if stones were laid over sand. Remove any remaining chunks of concrete with a hammer and chisel. Clear the site until the soil beneath is exposed.

Measure the width of the timber you are using for the border and double this number, since you will install the border on both sides of the driveway. You will be expanding the width of the driveway to account for the border. For example, if the width of your timbers is 2 inches then you will add 4 inches total width. Use landscape paint to draw a line that is 4 inches from and parallel with the existing driveway border.

Remove soil and other growth from the ground between the driveway and the painted line. Measure the depth of the drive and continue digging until the surface is at least 8 inches below ground or deeper than the frost line.

Flatten the soil with a hand tamper and lay landscape fabric over the top to deter weeds from growing through the gravel.

Arrange the wooden 2-by-4-inch boards, metal edging or other border pieces along the sides of the driveway. Drive 10-inch nail spikes through the pre-cut holes to lock the border in place.

Layer 4 inches of gravel over the surface and tamp it down with the hand tamper. Continue adding gravel and tamping it down every 3 to 4 inches until the driveway surface is level with the border.