When winter hits, your gravel driveway takes a beating. Between the snow, ice, and endless freeze-thaw cycles, even the best-built surface can quickly turn into a mess of ruts, potholes, and soft spots.
At Roadrunner Equipment, we build skid steer and tractor grader attachments that make driveway maintenance simple, efficient, and built to last. Whether you’re getting ready for snow season or maintaining your driveway year-round, these steps will help you keep your gravel surface level, drained, and ready for whatever winter throws your way.
Don’t Have Time to Read? Here’s a Summary
Winter can turn a gravel driveway into a rutted, muddy mess—but a little prep work goes a long way. Before the first freeze, clear debris, regrade the surface, and check drainage to keep water from pooling and refreezing.
Essential Prep Steps:
- Clear the Surface: Remove leaves, branches, and weeds to prevent trapped moisture and ice buildup.
- Grade for Drainage: Use a skid steer or tractor grader to smooth ruts and restore a gentle crown so meltwater drains instead of freezing.
- Fill Potholes: Add and compact fresh gravel before freezing temps lock in damage.
- Check Drainage Paths: Clean out ditches and culverts to prevent flooding and frost heave.
- Mark Driveway Edges: Use tall, sturdy stakes so you can plow safely without tearing up your lawn.
- Service Equipment: Inspect graders, plows, and snow pushers early to ensure they’re ready when storms hit.
Pro Tip: Grade slightly damp gravel—it compacts better and stays in shape longer.
With Roadrunner Equipment grader and snow attachments, you can keep your driveway level, drained, and durable all winter long.
1. Keep Your Driveway Clear All Year
Organic debris like leaves, weeds, and branches might seem harmless—but once winter hits, they trap snow and ice on the surface. When the meltwater seeps below your gravel and refreezes, it expands, creating potholes and an unstable base.
Take a few minutes each week to rake and remove debris. It’s one of the simplest ways to prevent long-term damage.
Pro Tip: Clear your driveway right before the first big snowfall so you’re not trapping organic material under the ice all winter.
2. Grade for a Smooth, Stable Surface
Throughout the year, your gravel naturally shifts and settles from temperature changes, rain, and daily use. Those subtle changes can create dips, ruts, and uneven surfaces that become major problems once the ground freezes.
Before winter, use one of our skid steer or tractor graders to level out the surface. Start by breaking up compacted gravel, then reestablish a smooth, slightly crowned shape to promote drainage. Compact the surface to lock it in place before the first freeze.
Why it matters: Grading before winter prevents water from pooling, makes snow removal easier, and helps your gravel driveway last for years.
3. Fill Potholes Before the Freeze
If you’ve got potholes now, they’ll only get worse once freezing water expands inside them. Add fresh gravel to fill low spots and compact it tightly so it holds shape through winter.
We don’t recommend frequent midwinter patching—loose gravel won’t settle well in the cold—but if you need to smooth a section for safety, it’ll do in a pinch.
Pro Tip: Use your grader to feather out the edges of filled areas. This keeps the surface even and prevents new dips from forming.
4. Ensure Proper Drainage
Drainage is everything when it comes to gravel driveways—especially in winter. Melting snow and ice can wash away gravel or seep under the surface, freezing again and lifting sections of your driveway.
Before the cold sets in, check your ditches, culverts, and water channels to make sure nothing’s blocked. Use your grader to gently slope the edges of your driveway so runoff can flow away easily.
Our dual-blade graders make it easy to maintain a consistent slope, ensuring proper drainage all season long.
5. Mark Your Driveway Edges
Once snow starts piling up, it’s easy to lose track of where your driveway ends and your lawn begins. Installing markers or poles along both sides of your lane helps you stay on course while plowing and protects your landscaping from accidental damage.
Choose stakes tall enough to stay visible above your average snow depth—and sturdy enough to handle the wind.
6. Maintain Snow Removal Equipment Early
Whether you’re using a snow plow, snow pusher, blower, or our grader attachment, make sure everything’s working before the first storm hits.
Inspect your equipment for leaks, dull edges, and uneven wear. Test your hydraulics and make any repairs while it’s still warm enough to work comfortably.
Pro Tip: Attach one of our snow pushers to your skid steer for fast, even snow clearing that won’t disturb your gravel base.
7. Stay Consistent Through the Season
Winter driveway care isn’t about one big effort—it’s about small, consistent habits. Check your surface after heavy snowfalls, monitor drainage during thaws, and plan a full regrade in early spring to restore any areas affected by frost heave.
A little time invested now means less repair work (and less gravel expense) later.
Keep Your Gravel Driveway in Top Shape Year-Round
Winter doesn’t have to mean endless ruts and potholes. With regular maintenance and the right equipment, you can keep your gravel driveway level, drained, and dependable season after season.
At Roadrunner Equipment, we design and build the tools that make it possible—graders, snow pushers, and attachments that help you work smarter and faster.
Ready to get your driveway winter-ready?
Explore our attachments or contact us today—we’ll help you find the right setup for your property.