Planning Guide for Designing a New Driveway

If you are considering installing a new driveway or replacing one, a little prior planning can make a huge difference in the performance and increased property value you end up with. Planning a driveway isn’t rocket science, but for the average homeowner, it’s something you may only do once or twice in a lifetime. Taking into consideration the drive’s design can result in a much more satisfying experience the main purpose of a driveway paving company is utilitarian, providing a way to get from the street to the garage, but there is no denying the impact it has on the value of your property.

A driveway doesn’t have to be just a way to get from the street to the garage.

Before You Start, Think About This

Slope and Width: Generally speaking, you have to work with the terrain you have. Ideally, the slope of your driveway should be 15% or less meaning your drive should drop 15 feet or less over 100 feet. That said, a flat driveway can be just as problematic as a steep drive. Flat drives can create drainage issues particularly if you have a nonporous surface like concrete or pavers. If your front lawn is flat, you want to be certain that the contractor constructs a crown in the center of the drive to allow rain to run off. Further, you want to make sure that runoff doesn’t create its own problem and provide for adequate drainage.

Steep driveways have the obvious problem of creating dangerous, slippery surfaces in inclement weather. In extreme circumstances, switchbacks may be required to bring the slope into a manageable range. If that’s required, the curves in the switchback should be wider than the straight runs to accommodate for over and under steering.

As a general rule, driveways are 10 to 12 feet wide. Then there’s the area where the drive meets the garage. If you have the space, add an “apron” (12 feet x 18 feet or larger) to allow for turning around or to be used for additional parking space.

Curved, Circular, or Straight? If your garage is a short distance from the street, then the straight shot approach is your best option. Just because it’s straight, it doesn’t have to be boring. Its appearance will depend significantly on which paving material you select, gravel, asphalt, concrete, or pavers. But it doesn’t have to end there. All four of those materials can be enhanced with color and patterns and of course a decorative border doesn’t care what design the driveway is.

If you have the room in your front lawn, a curved drive can add a great deal of character to the property. A curved driveway paving contractor can also solve the problem of trees or landscape features that block direct access to the garage, or if your street access point doesn’t line up with the garage. If you use curves, be certain to make them sweeping and avoid tight curves.

Circular drives can be one of the most effective sales feature a house has if it’s located on a busy street. Nobody wants to back out onto a road that has heavy traffic. On the other hand, a circular driveway takes up a lot of real estate. They also require a second access point (exit) to the street. If a second access point isn’t an option, a “teardrop” drive can still give you the ability to pull out in traffic as opposed to backing out. Teardrop driveways start out straight then become a “circular drive.”

Permits: Before you start your perfectly planned driveway, check with the city and county to see if any permits are required. You may have to create a new access point which means you’ll also probably be crossing an easement. Don’t make the mistake of starting this project only to have it shut down by a municipal inspector.

There’s more to planning a driveway but this guide gets you pointed in the right direction. Establishing a budget, selecting a paving material, and finding a reputable, experienced paving contractor are your next challenges.