How To Make More Space In Your Driveway On A Budget

Parking in a small driveway can be frustrating, especially if you need space to fit several cars. It can be challenging to park, and even harder to open the car door without hitting another vehicle. Unfortunately, building a new and much larger driveway costs thousands of dollars. If your driveway is too small, then you may wonder if there are some cost-effective and DIY ways to make it bigger.

To make your driveway bigger on a budget you can extend the width of your driveway. Use various materials including gravel, bricks, concrete pavers, shells, and various cheap and free materials. Organize your garage to make space for parking, or use cobblestones to provide more room while giving your driveway a face lift. If you just need one more parking spot, consider adding one close to the street.

Building a bigger driveway to suit your parking needs can cost a fortune, but it doesn’t have to. There are many inexpensive ways to make your driveway longer, wider, and more spacious. Below is a list of several unique and relatively cheap DIY ways to add more space to your driveway, as well as the pros and cons of each method.

How Much Does A New Driveway Cost?

A new driveway is a costly home improvement. The average price of a brand-new driveway is around $5,000 on average, but it can cost as little as $2,000 to well over $10,000. There are all sorts of factors that impact the price of a new driveway. Driveway extensions cost less, but when done professionally, can still cost several thousand dollars.

The size of the driveway and the labor involved in constructing it are two huge factors that will dictate the price. The type of driveway and materials you plan to use can also make the driveway cheaper, or more expensive, depending on what you use. 

If you don’t have an extra $5,000 to build a new and improved driveway, then consider expanding your existing driveway using one of the methods listed below.

9 Ways To Make Your Driveway Bigger On A Tight Budget

1. Add Bricks To The Sides Of Your Driveway

One way to add several feet of width to your driveway is to lay bricks along both sides of your driveway. To lay bricks you may need to dig up some turf and level it with some gravel. Next, you lay the bricks in whatever decorative pattern you like. The result is a stylish border on both sides of your existing driveway. 

Pros: This is an attractive DIY method. It will improve the look of your existing driveway, and it is ideal for those who feel their driveway is too narrow.

Cons: Bricks are more expensive than some other materials on this list. 

2. Make A Gravel Border To Your Driveway

If you want to add more length or width to your driveway or wish to create a small additional driveway somewhere, then consider a gravel driveway. Gravel is a durable and long-lasting option for those looking for more parking without breaking the bank. To widen a driveway, create a border on either side using gravel. 

Pros: There are many types of gravel to choose from to suit your needs. You can usually find affordable gravel no matter where you live.

Cons: It is difficult (and not recommended) to shovel gravel driveways. Some gravel, including pea gravel, can damage your lawn mower as well.

3. Construct A Permeable Driveway

Another popular and relatively cheap way to make your driveway larger on a budget is to build a permeable driveway. Permeable pavers allow you to park on secure ground but also allow water to seep through. These pavers come in all sorts of materials, from concrete grids to rubber slabs.

Pros: They are easy to install, and can be placed on nearly any flat surface to add more space to a driveway (or build an additional one).

Cons: Since there are holes, this type of driveway can fill with weeds, and even get muddy, depending on how you construct your permeable driveway.

4. Add Decorative Cobblestones To The Side Of Your Driveway

Cobblestones are another stylish border option for those looking to increase the width of their existing driveway. Cobblestones are perfect for those looking to add some country or classic charm to their home, while also increasing the size of a driveway.

Pros: Cobblestones look fantastic, and will make the exterior of your home look better, and more like a classic countryside home.

Cons: Cobblestone can be costly if you don’t find it on sale. It can also be challenging to maintain, as there is usually weeding required, and the stones may cause uneven surfaces over time.

5. Use Shells To Increase Your Driveway’s Width

If you want to make your home look more like a beach house and also want to make your driveway larger, then add shells along the borders of your driveway. If you live near the sea or a bay, there’s a good chance you can get truckloads of shells for cheap, especially oyster shells.

Pros: This is a fun, cheap, and beachy way to add width to your driveway. It is particularly great for those who live near the beach.

Cons: Shells aren’t always cheap and easy to come by, especially if you live far from the ocean. They are also hard to walk on barefoot.

6. Make Space In Your Garage

If you have a garage but can’t squeeze a car into it due to various other stored items, then you may want to rethink your garage storage. If you can free up enough space in your garage to fit one of your cars then you free up a lot of space in the driveway. Try using various garage organizing methods to make more space.

Pros: This method allows you to fit an extra car in your existing driveway, and will help protect one of your cars from bad weather.

Cons: This method only works for those with an under-utilized garage.

7. Add Concrete Pavers To Both Sides Of Your Driveway

Concrete pavers are a solid and long-lasting way to add to an existing driveway. Similar to other methods of widening the driveway, you need to dig up the turf on either side of your driveway and make sure it’s level before placing the pavers.

Pros: Concrete pavers are great for those looking for a long-lasting solution to a narrow driveway problem. They are also easy to shovel off snow.

Cons: They aren’t as aesthetically appealing as other methods, and are often quite heavy, making them more challenging to install.

8. Find Free Materials To Incorporate Along Your Driveway

If you want to make your driveway larger but have a very limited budget, then you may want to search for various free and cheap materials. You can often find bricks, cinder blocks, and even stones for cheap or free if you look hard enough at various construction sites and online marketplaces.

Pros: This is the best option for those who desperately need a bigger driveway but have a very limited budget.

Cons: Depending on what you can find, the result may not look great, and it could look more “DIY” than you’d like.

9. Create Extra Parking By The Road

If you need to fit one more car into your driveway but there isn’t enough space, then consider adding a small parking area along the edge of your yard by the street and your existing driveway. 

This extra spot may not make your driveway look symmetrical but it’s an easy way to add additional parking. You can use concrete pavers, a permeable option, or other suggestions listed above to make this added parking spot.

Pros: Crearing a spot by the street is a simple way to add additional parking that is easy to access.

Cons: It takes away from the grandeur of your front yard, and may not be allowed in certain HOAs and municipalities.

Summing Up How To Make Your Driveway Bigger On A Budget

If you want to make your driveway larger but don’t have the budget to build a new-and-improved driveway, then opt for a DIY method to make your existing driveway larger. You can add extra width to either side of your driveway by installing concrete pavers, gravel, bricks, permeable materials, or even cobblestones. If you need to fit an additional car in your driveway, try cleaning out your garage to make space, or add a parking spot near the street.

Related Guides:

• 11+ Types of Pavers (for Driveway, Patio & Pool Deck)
• Does Widening A Driveway Increase The Home Value?
• Do I Need A Permit To Extend My Driveway? (Find Out Now!)