Skip Standard Gravel - There's A Type That's More Affordable For Long Driveways

There are plenty of positive aspects to living on a spacious property, but building and maintaining a long driveway isn't one of them. Adding new material to a long driveway can feel daunting, and cost will likely weigh heavily on your choice. Standard gravel — one of the popular driveway materials that is permeable – is a great choice if you want something inexpensive and functional. However, if you're installing a long driveway, the scope of work and material needed compounds considerably, which means stretching an already limited budget. In that case, the best gravel to choose for your driveway might be caliche. Caliche is made of a mix of rock, clay, and sand bound together by the naturally occurring calcium carbonate. It has a light white-gray or beige color and is found mostly in arid and semi-arid areas like the southwestern United States.

Compared to standard gravel which costs about $10 to $50 per ton, caliche can be much easier on the pocket. It can go for as little as $6 per ton to about $20 per ton, or roughly $0.45 per square foot. Price also depends on your location and the type, such as non-spec base, spec base, 57 rock, or chat, also known as "fines." Besides being an affordable choice for long driveways, caliche compacts over time into a hard-wearing surface similar to concrete that withstands heavy traffic. When properly installed, you won't need to worry about ruts and potholes forming or tires spinning, especially during the rainy seasons. 

While caliche makes an excellent choice for expansive driveways requiring huge amounts of gravel, the overall performance and durability of your road will mostly depend on the quality of material and the installation. Hire a skilled professional to install it if you can, since heavy machinery is required to achieve the best results. This way, your driveway will have no problem weathering harsh weather conditions like heavy rainstorms. But even if you go the DIY route, just make sure you follow the correct installation procedures, including properly grading and compacting the caliche and to prevent erosion and puddles. If you ever decide to pave your driveway in the future, caliche makes an excellent starting base.

So long as you stick to regularly maintaining your caliche driveway, this super affordable road can serve you for years to come. Small particles known as "fines" can turn into airborne dust when the weather is hot and dry, which may coat your vehicle or affect air quality. To minimize dust, it is advisable to occasionally spray the surface of the driveway with water, particularly during hot seasons. While some people may claim that caliche isn't aesthetically pleasing, that may not be everyone's outlook. If you love a rustic, homestead vibe, then this type of gravel works pretty well and can be a great way to improve curb appeal in areas where caliche suits the natural environment. The most expensive part of ordering caliche is often the transportation, so you may want to weigh your other options if there are no caliche quarries near you.