Best Gravel for Driveways in the Pacific Northwest (Kitsap & Pierce County Guide)

The Pacific Northwest is hard on driveways. High rainfall, clay-heavy soil, and freeze-thaw cycles in winter mean that gravel choices that work fine in drier climates turn into muddy, rutted problems here. This guide covers what actually works for driveways in Kitsap and Pierce County — and what to avoid.

The PNW Driveway Problem

Most of Kitsap County sits on soil with a high clay content. Clay doesn't drain — water sits on top, saturates the ground, and turns the surface into a slick mess under traffic. Add annual rainfall of 50+ inches per year and you have a real drainage challenge.

The wrong gravel makes this worse. Round gravel (like pea gravel) doesn't compact or lock together — it shifts under vehicle weight, rolls to the edges, and leaves soft spots that become potholes. Over time, you lose material and lose the driveway surface.

The right gravel addresses both problems: it drains well and stays in place.

The Best Choice: 3/4" Crushed Rock (3/4 Minus)

For driveways throughout Kitsap and Pierce County, 3/4" crushed rock — also called "3/4 minus" — is the standard choice and our most popular driveway material.

Here's why it works:

• Angular edges lock together: Unlike round gravel, crushed rock has irregular, angular edges that interlock under vehicle weight. It compacts into a stable surface that doesn't shift.
• Drains under load: Even packed down, 3/4 minus allows water to drain through rather than pooling on the surface.
• Handles freeze-thaw: The compacted, interlocked structure holds up better through the mild freeze-thaw cycles we get in Kitsap County winters.
• Same material used commercially: Road construction and commercial projects in the region use the same product. It's proven for Pacific Northwest conditions.

What About Other Gravel Options?

• Pea gravel: Not for driveways. Round stones don't compact or lock. Good for drainage swales or decorative paths you don't drive on.
• Drain rock (1.5"): Better for French drains and drainage applications — allows fast water flow but too large to compact as a driveway surface.
• 3/4" clear: Good drainage layer underneath, not ideal as a finished surface.

How to Layer a Gravel Driveway

A properly built gravel driveway uses two layers:

Base layer: 4–6 inches of compacted 3/4 Minus. This is the structural foundation. It needs to be compacted (with a plate compactor or roller) before you add the top layer.

Top layer: 2–3 inches of 3/4 Minus (or a finer surface material if you want a smoother finish). This is what you drive and walk on.

For patch repairs on an existing driveway, 2–3 inches of 3/4 Minus worked into the damaged area is usually sufficient.

How Much Gravel Do You Need?

Use this formula:

Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = cubic yards

Example: A 12×50-foot driveway, 4-inch base + 2-inch top layer (6 total):

12 × 50 × (6 ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 11.1 cubic yards

Tip: Add 10% to your calculation for settling and waste. You can always use extra for pothole repair.

Delivery to Gig Harbor and Surrounding Areas

Harbor Soils delivers bulk gravel throughout Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Fox Island, Key Center, and surrounding Kitsap and Pierce County communities. Same-day delivery available for most orders. No minimums — order exactly what your project needs.

Call us at 253-857-5125 to confirm same-day availability or to talk through your project. We'll help you get the right material and the right amount.