Need some input on driveway

6 years ago

So we’re building a house and are having a hard time deciding on how to make the driveway flow correctly. The garage is a side entry on the right hand side. We would like to have an area for guest parking and then also a “S” sweep to connect to the garage concrete pad that will be added. There will also need to be a ”pass through” past the garage pad to go back to a barn I will have installed.

We we will be using either crushed shell or a type of pea gravel as a surface. Anyone have any ideas? I’d really appreciate it! Thanks!!

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Mark Bischak, Architect

6 years ago

The site circulation should be planned out as part of the house design. I do not say that for your benefit, but for others that will be in the process of designing a home any time in the future.

At this point in your project, one theoretical way is to pave the entire site, see where cars drive and people walk, and eliminate the pavement where they don't. A more practical way to perform this method would be to simulate it on paper. On a site plan draw a line where your car would travel from the road into your garage. Then draw a line where the UPS truck would travel from the road to place a package at your front door and drive out your drive. Then draw a line where your golf buddies would travel from the road to pick you and your clubs up and drive out your drive. Then draw a line where your not so sober golf buddies would travel from the road to drop you and your clubs off and drive out your drive. Then draw a line where your mother would travel from the road to park while she visits and drive out your drive when the visit is over. Go through as many scenarios as you can think of, and with each scenario thinking about turning radiuses, ease of travel, headlight paths, snow removal (if applicable), feet slipping off the brake onto the gas pedal, and life in general. Pave where the lines are.

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Comments (10)

bpath
6 years ago
is the entrance location from the road fixed, or can it be moved to the left?
Chuck
Original Author
6 years ago
It is fixed. I have multiple large oaks along the entire fence line. I can move the gate to the other post however.
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dan1888
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Draw up a 2D scale layout with the res and entrance at the road. And the normal direction you arrive from. Include the future barn.
User
6 years ago
Do you have a plot map of your lot with the house yet? That would help us visualize the space you have to make a driveway.

Have you considered a circle drive in front of the house?

Our last house on 2 acres had a long drive that led to a side entry garage with a sidewalk to the front door and no one would use our front door! (Like 1 out of 5) So everyone came through the garage or around to the back patio. [We couldn't have a circle or front entry parking space because there was a giant 100yr old oak and the arborist said the concrete would kill it.]

We also never would make the right turn into the the parking area. We'd only pull through straight (but we're in south Texas and never parked in the garage).

Here's our old drive:

(not pictured: walking path from driveway to front porch to encourage people to come to front door. It didn't work.)

Possible circle drive:

Another thing I find super helpful is Google Maps satellite view. Search your area and 60+ miles out and see what others have laid down for their drive. Picture yourself driving down and parking and imagine yourself as a guest coming to your home.
Chuck
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for all your comments. Cd773, we have 2.5 acres and We’re in FL. We have the same issues. There will be a walk way from the garage drive to entry way which I’m sure no one will use. Your drawing is what I had already pictured in my head.

Thank you Mark as well as it makes sense.
bpath
6 years ago
Which direction will you and visitors/delivery people usually approach from? The left, or the right?
ulisdone
6 years ago
Definitely include a large radius circular driveway for deliveries and visitors to the front door. For your driveway to the garage and barn, pass through a gateway of some sort to discourage people from using your private space. This could be done with plants and a bit of decorative hardscape, or an attractive segment of fence.
worthy
6 years ago
gateway of some sort to discourage people from using your private space.

Or, more to the point:
Lori Wagerman_Walker
6 years ago
@worthy or this (at the end of our drive):