Driveway Construction & Repair

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Your driveway is often the first impression of your property - and it needs to stand up to equipment, weather, and daily use. SOKY Elite Contractors builds driveways that last, from initial excavation through final surface installation. 

New Gravel Driveways Complete installation from raw land:

• Path clearing and rough grading
• Excavation and base preparation
• Proper crowning and drainage
• Quality gravel placement and compaction
• Culvert installation where needed

Gravel Driveway Repair Restoration of existing drives:

• Regrading to restore crown and drainage
• Pothole repair
• Adding new gravel to restore depth
• Widening for equipment access
• Improving problem sections

Paved Driveways Asphalt or concrete paving:

• Complete base preparation
• Proper thickness for use
• Asphalt or concrete installation
• Aprons and transitions
• Long-lasting surface

Rural Access Roads Longer drives and farm roads:

• Corridor clearing
• Efficient installation over distance
• Proper drainage design
• Turnarounds and parking areas
• Cost-effective construction

Proper Base The key to long-lasting gravel drives is proper base:

1. Clear vegetation and topsoil
2. Excavate 8-12 inches deep
3. Install geotextile fabric (prevents gravel from sinking into soil)
4. Place and compact base rock layer
5. Add and grade driving surface gravel

Drainage Design Water destroys driveways. Proper drainage includes:

• Crown (center higher than edges) so water runs off
• Side ditches or swales where needed
• Cross-culverts to pass water under drive
• Positive grade to prevent ponding

Gravel Selection

• Base layer: Larger crushed rock (2-3 inch)
• Surface layer: Smaller crushed rock (3/4 inch to fine)
• We use proper materials, not round river gravel that rolls

Width & Thickness

• Single lane: 10-12 feet wide
• Two-way: 16-20 feet wide
• Thickness: 8-12 inches total (base + surface)
• Equipment access: wider and thicker

When to Refresh Gravel

• Gravel worn thin, soil showing through
• Deep ruts and potholes
• Lost crown, water standing on surface
• Every 3-5 years typically

Maintenance Options

• Regrading: Reshape existing gravel to restore crown ($300-$800)
• Additional gravel: Add depth and regrade ($500-$2,000)
• Full restoration: Add gravel, recompact, restore base ($2,000-$5,000+)

Asphalt Driveways

• Smooth, all-weather surface
• 3-4 inch thickness over prepared base
• 15-25 year lifespan with sealcoating
• $4-8 per square foot installed
• Best for longer drives (lower cost than concrete)

Concrete Driveways

• Extremely durable surface
• 5-6 inch thickness with reinforcement
• 30-50+ year lifespan
• $7-10 per square foot installed
• Best for shorter drives and equipment traffic

New Gravel Driveway Installation $8-15 per linear foot (12 foot width) Example: 500 foot driveway = $4,000-$7,500

Varies based on:

• Distance (longer is cheaper per foot)
• Width needed
• Site conditions (flat vs steep, clear vs wooded)
• Culvert requirements
• Access and material delivery distance

Gravel Driveway Repair/Refresh

• Regrading only: $300-$800
• Add gravel + regrade: $1,000-$3,000 (depends on amount needed)
• Major restoration: $3,000-$6,000+

Paved DrivewaysQuoted based on square footage, base condition, and length.

How often does a gravel drive need maintenance? Expect to refresh every 3-5 years depending on use and weather. Annual grading may be needed for heavily used drives.

What type of gravel do you use? Crushed limestone or crushed concrete base with smaller crushed rock on top. We don't use round gravel that rolls and spreads.

Can you pave over my existing gravel drive? Sometimes yes if the base is solid. Often the gravel needs to be removed or reworked first. We assess and advise.

How wide should my driveway be? 12 feet for single lane, 16-20 feet for two-way. Equipment users often want 14-16 feet minimum.

Do you install gates and cattle guards? We install culverts and can prepare for gates. We coordinate with gate installers but don't install gates ourselves.

Can you build a driveway on a steep slope? Yes, but it requires special design - switchbacks, heavy gravel placement, and excellent drainage. We have experience with challenging sites.

SOKY Elite Contractors provides land clearing and grading services throughout south central Kentucky:

Primary Service Area:

• Warren County
• Barren County
• Allen County
• Simpson County
• Butler County
• Edmonson County
• Hart County

Serving:

• Bowling Green and surrounding areas
• Glasgow
• Scottsville
• Franklin
• Cave City
• Horse Cave
• Rural communities throughout the region

We'll travel further for larger projects - contact us to discuss your location.