Compacted gravel with gravel cells as a parking space?

Hello everyone,

we would like to create an additional parking space in our front yard. Our electric car is supposed to find its place there. We actually like the idea of a gravel or pebble base very much, but I have already read some posts here in the forum advising against gravel for various reasons. The main topic was always the carrying of gravel into the house and the high noise level when driving over it.

Yesterday, while walking, we came across the compacted gravel paths typical for parks. We find this natural approach very nice, so I wondered if anyone here has already implemented something similar or has experience with it. I would create a coarse gravel base, put a weed control fabric on it, and then honeycomb grids on top of that. The honeycomb grids in the hope that they will reduce ruts. I would also compact the gravel additionally. Due to the fine and compacted gravel, we should carry no or at least few stones into the house, and the issue of high noise should also be addressed.

I have attached a picture as an example.

I would appreciate your assessment and opinion.

I believe your example picture shows a water-bound surface, which is constructed quite differently than a gravel area with honeycomb grids. It would not necessarily be used for a parking lot.

I can hardly say more about it, except that the neighbors next door have a parking lot with coarse gravel and honeycombs, and so far (1 year) it has worked without problems. In my opinion, the acoustics are not disturbing at all; my "eco lawn liner" is probably even louder in comparison due to the larger gaps. In the long run, however, they will occasionally have to recompact the gravel – this has not been necessary so far, but it will come.

However, electric cars are generally noticeably heavier – depending on how often you drive in and out, and especially how much you have to steer, I can definitely imagine that it might wear out faster after all.

Thank you very much for the quick and super helpful response! Now I also know what to google to better familiarize myself with the topic.

May I ask why you would rather advise against a [wassergebundene Wegedecke]? Is it about the constant drivability or dirt/dust formation?

Thanks again!

But I have already read some posts here in the forum that advise against gravel for various reasons.

There are also posts that recommend it.

The main topic was always the bringing of gravel into the house and the loud noise when driving on it.

You reduce that by not using too small gravel.

And loud noise, why should it be disturbing? The three seconds of rustling: sounds nice, especially when you know from inside that a resident is coming home.

There are also posts that recommend it.

And high volume, why should it disturb? The three seconds of noise: sounds nice when you know inside that a resident is coming home.

Because the arriving resident might come at night when the other is already sleeping and might wake up (if you sleep with the window open)?

In any case, gravel is unsuitable for all two-wheelers. It rides badly with bicycles and motorcycles. If maybe children also have to ride their bikes over it, it is completely unsuitable in my opinion.

It is also bad for animal paws.

The question is also how to properly remove snow from gravel.

May I ask why you would rather advise against a water-bound pathway surface?

You will notice it after a longer period of rain at the latest. Then you will get deep ruts in the very soft pathway surface and holes when turning.