Driveway Width – How Wide Should A Driveway Be?

Driveway width should be decided depending on the owner’s needs and the future use of the driveway. A homeowner who is putting in a new driveway should consider:

• The number of cars they are parking in the driveway 
• The size of the vehicles
• The land surrounding the driveway  
• Uses other than parking

There should be room to comfortably park and maneuver while avoiding damage to the pavement itself, as well as any part of your yard or lawn that borders the driveway. 

You should be able to comfortably walk alongside your car without stepping into dirt or getting scraped by a bush. Additionally, you should be able to comfortably load and unload groceries, work equipment, sporting goods, fishing gear, etc.         

Single Car Driveway Width

The standard width of a residential driveway is around 10 to 12 feet. 

If you own a larger vehicle like a work truck, work van, RV, or camper, 12 feet should be the minimum.  

You want to have enough room to the sides of your vehicles so that you can avoid driving and parking on the edges of your driveway. Parking on the edges of your asphalt driveway can cause cracking and deterioration, so be careful to avoid that. 

As a rule of thumb, there should be enough room to open car doors without hitting any planting areas or landscaping features, and you should be able to step out of your car onto pavement rather than into your lawn.

Additionally, if your driveway will have walls or fencing on either side, there should be plenty of room to open doors without damaging them. 

Double Driveway Width

A double-car driveway can have a width between 20 and 24 feet.

20 feet gives enough space for two cars to pass each other, but this may not be enough space for two cars to open their doors if they are parked side by side.

If you know that you will be using your driveway for parking two cars, your best bet is to pave a driveway with a width of 24 feet.

Circular Driveway Driveway Width

If you’re planning to add a circular or horseshoe driveway you should plan for 12 feet in width.  

This amount of space gives vehicles plenty of room to turn without driving over the edges and causing damage to the driveway and any surrounding plants or landscape features.

Call Professional Asphalt Contractors For A Quality Driveway

If you are planning on adding a new asphalt driveway call the professionals at Blacktop Concepts. With over 40 years of experience and knowledge, we can guarantee a driveway that is installed correctly. Contact us today for a free estimate.