We can see the house but have no idea where the garage is. Nor the road that the driveway would connect to.

Can’t see the front door either, but I assume it’s in that alcove furthest to the left end of the house.

I also see the aerial view-is that this same house? I can’t tell what’s where when comparing it to the ground-level house picture.

Here‘s a picture that also shows the garage location.

The aerial view is the house and the front door is the alcove in the far left. I hope this picture helps.

I assume the garage was used as their main entrance. Is there a mudroom there? Do you have a side door? Do you need a side door...? I wouldn’t add a driveway. I’d do a walkway instead. Is the garage in a practical spot for bringing groceries in?

The garage was used as their main entrance, but there isn’t a mud room. There’s a very large vestibule, but we plan on putting in a mud room. The garage is the best place to bring groceries in. There isn’t a side door, but there are two back doors.

That additional picture helps. So do you NEED a drive-up to the front door? Do you have multiple visitors who wouldn’t be using the garage entrance? A resident with physical impairment who would benefit from a drop-off at the front door rather than using the garage entrance? Vehicular deliveries (UPS, FedEx) regularly?

If you don’t have a drive-up to the front door, it’s a long hike from the parking pad by the garage to the front door.

Does anybody use the front door now? Do you want anybody to?

My preference is for guests to use the front door. I only want me and my husband using the garage. It’s a really long walk, so that’s why I’m leaning toward circular drive. Plus I think it may add to the curb appeal.

I’ll add a photo of the front door and I also have a photo of what the builder had planned, but the previous homeowner didn’t complete. I’m not sure if it’s too much or just right. Thanks for the help!

My preference is for guests to use the front door. I only want me and my husband using the garage. It’s a really long walk, so that’s why I’m leaning toward circular drive. Plus I think it may add to the curb appeal.

I’ll add a photo of the front door and I also have a photo of what the builder had planned, but the previous homeowner didn’t complete. I’m not sure if it’s too much or just right. Thanks for the help!

It’s pretty! And practical. I just don’t know if the lush plain neat grass is prettier. It’s more of a personal preference. Maybe a drop of a style thing. I do think you’ll end up with the circular driveway and love it lol

If you want guests to use the front door, add the circular drive. Our previous home had a similar set up with only a narrow paver path to connect the driveway to the front porch.

No one used the front door except solicitors... Everyone came through the garage.

We wanted to add a loop drive but a hundred yr old Oak was too close.

I have been spending a lot of time looking at circular driveways and feel like I’m leaning towards it also, but afraid it’s a bit much.

the builder had the driveway planned as asphalt with concrete walkways, that’s the other big dilemma. endless decisions to make! 😬

I wouldn’t have touched the oak either; it’s beautiful!

No one uses our front door now either! I really dislike people coming through the garage!

I feel the same! We had a grand, double door, with a 25 ft high ceiling foyer... annnnnd everyone came through the garage full of dirtbikes and greasy parts. LOL

Oh my goodness, that’s so sad!! I would’ve kept the door closed to anyone that wasn’t greasy 😂 make them come through the front and see your grand entrance!

...the garage door*

Lol you guys. 😂
Regarding material choices there’s a lot to consider
The main question is what’s important to you and your families needs.
Do you value functionality over aesthetics? Or the opposite.
Aesthetically I’d love to see a concrete circular driveway with concrete walkways.
Functionality asphalt is probably better because it has less maintenance and will match the current pad.
Combination of the two would probably be asphalt driveway with matching stone to the house for the walkway.
Ideally, budget allowing I’d wanna say
To do all new work in the matching stone to the house. The driveway included. I think it’ll be beautiful,functional. And will match /won’t be an issue with the current garage area.
Thoughts?

I‘d really hate to tear out all that new asphalt, but I fear if I keep it, the asphalt will need to be replaced or repaired in a couple of years anyway. so, I’m leaning towards concrete, but the cost is going to be outrageous. the builder had the plans with an asphalt driveway and parking pad with only concrete walkways. that seems odd to me, but wondering if that would work functionally and aesthetically. That way I don’t have to tear out the new asphalt and I save a little money. 🤷🏻‍♀️

With the amount of land you appear to have and the style of your house, a circular drive makes sense. The only question is, will it get enough use to be worth the effort?

I do not like the builder's 'keyhole' circular drive. Keep it simple. Branch off before you get to the garage's asphalt pad, go across the front of the house, return to the main drive via what already looks like a cut in the trees. A long slow scenic sweep through the grounds.

The long drive in appears to be dirt/gravel so unless you plan on paving that long expanse (a huge expense), a gravel circular drive will be perfectly fine. You can edge the gravel drive with stone or pavers to give it a cleaner more formal look across the front.

Keep the circular drive 25' at least away from the house, maybe a bit wider in front for a couple parking spots and put a walkway to the front door from there.

Christopher, are you thinking something like this? All the new stuff would be gravel or crushed stone?

I Agree with Christopher. Gravel would not only be less of an expense but pulling the stone into the overall look of the driveway would be beautiful. Work with a landscaper to tie it all together.

Yes exactly. That way you can have the asphalt pad for the garage, the rest is all gravel. That combination is fine and a whole lot cheaper.

Now that I may have talked you into a gravel drive and just come back from a walk UP my gravel drive to the mailbox where my truck is currently parked, one big factor in deciding what material to use is SNOW plus slope. You can't really plow a gravel driveway and any major slope will only make that worse.

Looking at your neighbor's drive that shows in the mockup of my preferred route, it looks to be gravel so hopefully SNOW is not a big issue.

We have a similar set up with a 3-car garage on the side with a long driveway. Is there any way you can add a side door? We considered making a circular driveway but decided against it because mostly everyone uses our side door and We love our big front lawn. But we do have a concrete walkway to the front door for anyone who isn't familiar with our house and for deliveries etc.

Christopher, snow is definitely not an issue where we’re buying. The neighbor is gravel and theirs is about a mile long. They have concrete pads in Tony of their house though.

itsourcasa, there’s no where to put a side door!

I often see homes that have a circular drive going right to the door. It does not allow room for landscaping.

I'd suggest a drive a bit further back with a path to the door. Something like this.