Your driveway is one of the first things people notice when they visit your home. It sets the tone for your front yard and can have a huge impact on the curb appeal of your property. However, along with adding value to your property, it should also be wide enough to accommodate your cars. So, if you are currently in the process of renovating your house and are wondering how wide should a driveway be, this article is meant just for you.
Typically, the driveway width depends on multiple factors. If you are thinking about expanding your existing driveway, you should think about how many cars you will park there every day, the average size of each vehicle, the area surrounding the driveway, and if you will be using the space for purposes other than parking the cars.
There should also be enough space on your driveway for someone to walk along with the car without having to step into the grass right next to it. Similarly, you wouldn’t want to step into dirt or get scraped by a potted plant while getting out of your vehicle.
In addition, the tires of your car should not touch the front yard or damage the pavement. You should also have enough room in your driveway to maneuver around the car while taking out groceries, work equipment, golfing gear, fishing rods, and other items.
If you are interested in driveway paving and want to know how wide should a driveway be, here are some standard measurements that may help you out.
How Wide Should a Driveway Be for One Car?
The average parking space for a car should be around 10 feet. Therefore, the standard single-car driveway width for residential property is 12 feet since you will need extra space on either side of the vehicle to prevent parking on its edges or to bump into the garden bushes.
For the uninitiated, parking on the edges of your driveway can crack the top layer of concrete or asphalt, resulting in deterioration. Moreover, you wouldn’t want to accidentally hit the pavement backing up your car or ruin your beautiful garden by crushing the plants or landscape features underneath your tires. Furthermore, if your driveway has a wall or fence on each side, you must measure the area carefully to ensure you can easily open the car doors without hitting either of the objects.
Meanwhile, if you own a large vehicle, such as an RV or a work truck, you will probably need a driveway wider than 12 feet to accommodate your vehicle.
How Wide Should a Driveway Be for Two Cars?
The ideal width of a double-car driveway is between 20 and 24 feet.
While 20 feet is considered enough space to park two cars next to each other, it may not leave you enough room to open their doors while they are standing side by side. Hence, if you own two vehicles and want to park them together, it would be best to put in a driveway that is at least 24 feet wide.
How Wide Should a Driveway Be for Three Cars?
Using the measurements above, we can deduce that a triple-car driveway should have an additional 10 feet of parking space for the third vehicle. If you factor in the extra room required for opening the doors and unloading the car, the total figure comes up to about 36 feet.
It is also important to remember that there should be sufficient space to walk between the cars while they are parked side-by-side.
What Is an Ideal Circular Driveway Width?
If you plan to put in a long driveway in front of your home, you will probably require a circular turnaround area. It will allow you to reverse into the turnaround and drive forward down the driveway instead of backing all the way down to the street.
A circular or horseshoe driveway should be around 10 feet to 12 feet wide. If your vehicle has a bigger cab, you may want to add a few more feet to these measurements.
Most Popular Driveway Options
Some of the most popular materials for driveways include:
- Gravel
- Pavers
- Concrete
- Asphalt
- Basalt
- Shell
How to Make Your Driveway More Functional and Attractive
Let’s look at some top-rated items that can make your driveway, and ultimately your house, safer and more aesthetically appealing.
1/2 Mile Long Range Solar Wireless Driveway Alarm
This easy-to-install driveway alarm system will warn you against trespassers or burglars. It is also weatherproof and comes with a solar sensor and adjustable sensitivity control feature.
Solar Powered Outdoor Deck Lights
These small solar-powered LED docks can light up your driveway and help you park the car without any trouble. They are also sturdy enough to bear the weight of a passing car.
Polar Aurora Barcelona Decorative Post Mailbox
Spruce up your driveway with this elegant, heavy-duty aluminum mailbox. Available in a sophisticated white color, this item will soon become the talk of the neighborhood.
Rubber Cable Protector Ramps
These anti-slide and heavy-duty cable ramps can help protect any cables on your driveway.
Our Final Thoughts
To sum it up, the width of a standard single-car driveway should be approximately 12 feet. If you own more cars and plan to park them side by side outside your home, you can multiply their number by 12 to find out the total area required to put in a driveway.
Hopefully, this guide on how wide should a driveway be has answered all your pressing questions about the topic. Whether you are planning to hire a contractor or take the DIY route, it is recommended to measure the area more than once to eliminate any errors in the calculations. Moreover, if you notice any cracks appearing on the surface of your driveway, make sure to fix them before they deepen or widen any further.
