📋 Free Gravel Road Maintenance Checklist
Four-season checklist for private road and driveway owners. Print this page or use it on-screen to track annual maintenance tasks.
🌱 Spring Checklist (After Frost Thaw)
- Wait for ground to firm up — probe test confirms subbase is stable
- Inspect all culverts — probe each one, confirm flow (see daylight)
- Clear all side ditches of winter debris and sediment
- Walk entire road — document frost heave, ruts, soft spots
- Full surface regrade — restore crown, fill heaved sections
- Repair soft spots with geotextile + base material if recurring
- Top-dress with fresh gravel where surface material is thin
- Seed bare shoulder and ditch slopes immediately after grading
- Check culvert outlets — clear any debris or ice dams
☀️ Summer Checklist (June–August)
- Apply calcium chloride for dust control — early June (initial: 1.0–1.5 lb/sq yd)
- Maintenance grade every 4–6 weeks (light traffic) or 2–4 weeks (heavy)
- Inspect road within 24 hrs after any rain event over 1 inch
- Second CaCl₂ application mid-July to early August if dust has returned (0.6 lb/sq yd)
- Mow ditch vegetation — keep ditches clear for flow
- Check culvert inlets — clear summer debris accumulation
- Note any washboard forming — knock down ridges before they deepen
- Check drainage at road edge — erosion channels forming?
🍂 Fall Checklist (September–November)
- Full ditch cleaning — most important fall task
- Clear all culverts before leaf fall clogs inlets
- Final surface grading of the season — re-establish crown
- Add gravel to thin sections before ground freezes
- Repair shoulder erosion and seed before freeze-up
- Mark road edges with stakes for winter plowing
- Confirm all culvert outlets are clear and unobstructed
- Check that ditch outlets won't create ice dams in winter
❄️ Winter Checklist (December–February)
- Plow with blade set 1–2 inches above hard surface (don't dig in)
- Restrict heavy vehicle use during mid-winter thaw events
- Use sand (not salt) for traction on steep gravel sections
- Check culvert outlets for ice dam blockage after cold snaps
- Note problem areas — frost heave, icing patterns, soft spots — for spring priority list
📐 Gravel Order Worksheet
Fill in your road dimensions, then use the Gravel Calculator for exact tonnage.
Formula: (Length × Width × Depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = cubic yards × 2.85 (crusher run) = tons
Use your browser's Print function (Ctrl+P / Cmd+P) to save as PDF or print directly.
Recommended Maintenance Frequency
| Task | <5 vehicles/day | 5–20/day | >20/day |
|---|
| Surface grading | 2–3× / year | 4–6× / year | Monthly |
| Calcium chloride | 1× / season | 2× / season | 3× / season |
| Ditch cleaning | Every 3–5 yrs | Every 2–3 yrs | Annually |
| Culvert inspection | Spring + Fall | Spring + Fall | Quarterly |
| Gravel top-dress | Every 3–5 yrs | Every 2–3 yrs | Annually |
Full detail: Seasonal Maintenance Calendar →