A good driveway might seem like a small aspect of your home and its outdoor space, but it’s critically important — it’s the first thing people see as they approach your house. You need a driveway that can withstand the weight of your vehicles day in and day out, one that isn’t muddy, uneven, or prone to instability. If you own extra-heavy vehicles like RVs, boats, or trailers your driveway needs to be up to the task. Whether you’re looking to create a driveway over grassy, mud-prone outdoor areas or want to revamp your current driveway, you’re going to need a set of driveway pavers. Every driveway begins with a strong, solid base — and that’s where pavers come into play. If you’re looking for the best driveway pavers for your specific needs, check out our top product picks right here.
TrueGrid Pro Plus Permeable Pavers
It’s tough to beat the incredible strength and durability of TrueGrid PRO Plus Permeable Pavers. This set of driveway pavers lives up to its heavy-duty designation. These pavers, which offer 1.8 inches of depth and come in a 10-pack for 40 square feet of coverage, can withstand over 1,000,000 pounds of compression strength per square foot. That means you never have to worry about what’s rolling over the pavers; they can even be used in parking lots, truck yards, and more. The built-in flex joints allow for moderate expansion and contraction from seasonal weather changes. Made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled HDPE (high-density poly ethylene) the pavers are durable enough to drive on in all climates and with all different types of soil. They’ll offer erosion control and eliminate issues like mud, ruts, puddles, and potholes. You can even cut them for a customized fit.
PROS
- Tough and sturdy
- Provides a strong foundation
- Great for larger, heavier vehicles
CONS
- High price
VEVOR Permeable Pavers
With an affordable price and an ideal design for grass areas, VEVOR Permeable Pavers are the perfect pick for creating grass covered parking lots, driveways, access roads, and even RV and boat storage areas. Sold as a pack of four paving grids, each measuring 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.9 inches in size, these driveway pavers are durable enough to offer a supportive, sturdy foundation yet permeable to allow grass to grow freely. In total, these pavers will cover 11 square feet of space. The pavers connect with a thin tab or “socket”. So you have to be careful as you connect them, and make sure they line up correctly. You can fill them with gravel or seed or sod them with grass; it’s completely up to you. With solid compression strength that rivals that of concrete, this more natural, environmentally-friendly solution helps reduce flooding and water runoff. You’ll get great bang for your buck with these grass pavers.
PROS
- Easy to cut to size
- Creates good support
- Especially great for wet ground
CONS
- Brittle
- Pieces may snap off
Standartpark EasyPave Grid
The Standartpark EasyPave Grid may be quite expensive, but it’s a high-quality, top-tier solution for large driveways or parking areas. These 2-inch tall permeable pavers can cover up to 300 square feet of space, creating a large and versatile area for driving and parking. You get 115 grids in this pack, each constructed with the Standartpark Wave Flex Patent Design that works on slight inclines as well as flat ground. Made from 100-percent recycled polymer, these grids can be used with small pea gravel, gravel, soil, and even grass or sod. Because they’re permeable, water and air can both get through with ease. Able to hold an 88,000-pound load class, these driveway pavers mean business wherever you place them. Even more importantly, the pavers are easy to install, connecting horizontally so pressure from heavy vehicles doesn’t cause shifting or disconnects.
PROS
- Thick for increased durability
- Stand up against wear
- Able to handle a lot of weight
- Lateral openings allow water to move through the various grid pockets.
CONS
- Extremely expensive
- Doesn’t come with instructions
TrueGrid Pro Lite Permeable Pavers
You might not expect lightweight driveway pavers to be able to hold very much — but you haven’t seen the TrueGrid Pro Lite Permeable Pavers in action. This set of 18 individual paving grids may be incredibly lightweight, but they’re strong enough to hold up underneath your vehicles. Suitable for driveways as well as parking lots, pathways, and more, the pavers can eliminate mud, puddles, and potholes where you’d like to pay. Designed to work in all climates and made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled HDPE, you can trust that these grids will offer solid compression strength. They can rival concrete, which means you can get the driveway you’ve always wanted and opt for gravel or grass. These driveway pavers even allow stormwater to drain away to keep the ground underneath your vehicles dry and free of flooding.
PROS
- Delivers exactly as expected
- Withstands weight, weather, and pets
- Well-made
CONS
- Installation needs to be done carefully
Standartpark HexPave Grid
The Standartpark HexPave Grid is a driveway paver system that makes creating your driveway a breeze. With an incredibly simple and straightforward installation process, you can set up a driveway — or a carport or parking spot — absolutely anywhere. These pavers, which stand one inch deep, fit together with snap-and-lock technology. They cover approximately 50 square feet of space with a total of 14 individual grids. Made with Standartpark’s unique patented HEXpave Grid design, these pavers are manufactured from 100 percent recycled polymer. And they’re 100 percent permeable too, which means they’ll let air and water in if you choose soil or grass. You can create a driveway made from grass, small pea gravel, soil, or sand with these pavers. Once finished, it’ll hold up to 27,000 pounds of weight.
PROS
- Very easy to install
- Great for extremely heavy vehicles
- Provides a solid foundation
CONS
- Dimensions can be a bit misleading
- Only holds up to 27,000 pounds when filled with aggregate
DuPont DPGG-50110 8.5-Ounce Groundgrid
Creating and paving a driveway over unstable ground can be seriously frustrating — and that’s why you need the DuPont DPGG-50110 8.5-Ounce Groundgrid if you’re dealing with less-than-solid surfaces. Whether it’s loose gravel or dirt that’s prone to washing away with water, this flexible driveway paving system will have you covered and stable. Made from material that can adapt to different types of terrain, these grids will cover approximately 10 square meters. However, they can be cut to size to fit any area. These pavers are designed to create a geotextile grid that improves ground stabilization, with a three-dimensional honeycomb construction that expands to cover any driveway space. You can then fill the pavers with gravel, soil, sand, or other types of infill. Once it’s ready, you’ll have an incredibly strong platform.
PROS
- Stabilizes well
- Works even on steep grades
- Quick installation process
CONS
- Best for smaller areas
Standartpark 4-Inch Thick Geo Ground Grid
The Standartpark 4-Inch Thick Geo Ground Grid is a different kind of driveway paver system. Able to support up to 1,885 pounds per square foot, this grid is created from recycled polyethylene material. Think of it as an “accordion-like” flexible grid that spreads out to cover the area. It’s also constructed with supersonic welding, which makes it extra-strong and less prone to shifting or coming apart while your vehicles are sitting overhead. Whether you’re using this ground grid as a parking spot or a driveway, the material will cover approximately 160 square feet. It can be used on flat surfaces or sloped ground, and you can even cut the grid and attach it in different configurations to suit more unique outdoor areas. Whether you use these driveway pavers with grass, soil, or gravel, they’ll offer impressive thickness; their 4-inch depth is great for deeper ground or areas that are soft, like muddy dirt.
PROS
- Excellent stabilization
- Lasts a long time
- Can be used in layers and adapted
CONS
- Installation information is inconsistent
- Covered space may be incorrect
- Requires lots of anchors
TRUEGRID Root Grass Pavers
So you are convinced that you need a driveway paver but want to install it where grass already exists. You dread having to remove the turf, import a base, lay out the pavers, and then start all over with the lawn. Well, these pavers are designed to be installed onto existing grass lawns. First, mow the lawn as short as possible, then water the lawn often and deeply to soften up the ground. Next, lay down these pavers and press them into the grass. Then use a heavy lawn roller to tamp down the pavers into the turf and soil. Now, this would only work where the spot of lawn already has good drainage and where you can comfortably force the pavers down into the dirt.
PROS
- Suitable for use over existing grass
- Staking may not be necessary
- Solid foundation
CONS
- Grass/soil needs to be soft for installation
- Needs heavy roller or tamper to press into the grass
Techno Earth Permeable Grass Pavers
With an affordable price and an ideal design for grass areas, Techno Earth Permeable Grass Pavers are the perfect pick for creating grass parking lots, driveways, access roads, and even RV and boat storage areas. Sold as a pack of four paving grids, each measuring 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.9 inches in size, these driveway pavers are durable enough to offer a supportive, sturdy foundation yet permeable to allow grass to grow freely. In total, these pavers will cover 11 square feet of space. The pavers connect together with a thin tab or “socket,” so you have to be careful as you connect them and make sure they line up correctly. You can fill them with gravel or seed or sod them with grass; it’s completely up to you. With solid compression strength that rivals that of concrete, this more natural, environmentally-friendly solution helps reduce flooding and water runoff. You’ll get great bang for your buck with these grass pavers.
PROS
- Easy to cut to size
- Creates good resistance
- Especially great for wet ground
CONS
- Connecting tabs may snap of
- Moderate delivery delays
Best Driveway Pavers
Driveways can be made out of so many different materials, and the pavers you choose have a direct impact on the final product and its cost. From natural-looking driveways covered in grass, sand, or gravel to more traditional and sleek driveways filled with concrete, the right pavers can make a world of difference. And of course, you want to choose driveway pavers that’ll support your vehicles over time.
Whether you’re most worried about durability or sturdiness, support or appearance, you have plenty of options available. We’ll help you find the best driveway pavers available for your needs and your vehicles — just follow the advice of our buying guide.
Why Do You Need Driveway Pavers?
Driveway pavers give you an alternative to traditional smooth concrete driveways. They’re unique — but they’re also very effective. Whether you’re dealing with exceptionally heavy vehicles like RVs and campers or simply need a long-lasting solution, driveway pavers can be a perfect choice.
A driveway paver isn’t just for driveways, despite their name — they can be used as a pad for a spa or shed, help stop erosion on a slope, serve as a narrow pathway between two points, or even be used as a helicopter landing area.
A concrete pad or driveway is a permanent solution and often an ugly solution. With a driveway paver, you have a choice of what aggregate is used to fill in the voids within the driveway pavers and can be quickly installed with a minimal amount of fuss and effort.
If you extend the driveway pavers slightly beyond a dog kennel’s dimension it would be difficult for a dog to dig its way out. Since the grid is rather rigid and tough, it would be hard for a dog to dig enough aggregate up and bite or claw through the actual paver system.
Anyone can benefit from using driveway pavers, but they’re especially helpful when you’re dealing with uneven ground, mud or potholes, or even ground that’s unstable or eroding. They can quickly and easily take a parking spot or driveway from frustrating to smooth and sturdy, and you can install pavers on your own. But these aren’t the only benefits of pavers; read on to discover more.
- Pavers are incredibly durable and able to survive a wide range of driveway frustrations, from tons of weight to weather changes (including extremely cold temperatures).
- Quality driveway pavers can hold everything from your average sedan to extremely heavy RVs, even if pavers are lightweight themselves.
- You can customize driveway pavers, choosing whatever suits your aesthetic or desires including pavers for sand, small pea gravel, decomposed granite, or grass.
- Many pavers are made from recycled materials, which benefits the environment.
- Driveway pavers can still provide natural benefits, like aeration and draining when water is present.
The Most Common Types of Driveway Pavers
When you’re planning out your ideal driveway, it’s important to know that there are different types of driveway pavers. While they all might seem pretty similar at first glance, the type of pavers you choose can impact the durability, longevity, or even the appearance of your driveway. Learn more about the most common types of pavers you’ll come across right here.
Gravel and Concrete Pavers
Gravel and concrete pavers are the most common kind you’ll find. These pavers are typically made out of plastic or recycled plastic, and they’re able to withstand a ton of weight, including extra-heavy vehicles. You can easily fill the pavers with various types of gravel or concrete to create a seriously sturdy foundation beneath your cars.
Typically, gravel or concrete pavers are designed for traditional driveways. However, they can also be used to create a strong base for other items, like hot tubs, sheds, or even places to park on your property. They offer excellent versatility no matter how you plan to put these pavers to use.
Permeable Pavers
Permeable pavers are a type of driveway paver that’s highly breathable. They’re typically made out of plastic like other varieties, but recycled plastic is most common. When installed, these pavers can be used with many materials — small pea gravel, sand, and more are common options.
The biggest benefit of permeable pavers is their ability to allow water to pass through and avoid muddy puddles and soft spots. They aren’t as solid of a barrier underneath your driveway (but that doesn’t make them any less strong). These pavers can let air in and drain water away, preventing mushy, wet ground and potential problems that come along with it.
Grass Pavers
Most driveway pavers can support infilling the voids with dirt and then seeding grass. These products are made specifically for those who want to create grassy driveways or parking spots — or even parking lots. They’re made to be used with soil, seed, or sod, and they’re typically permeable to allow air and water to reach these materials so grass can thrive. You can place the pavers, plant grass, and get all the driveway support you need.
Using grass pavers offers stability for a more natural driveway. The pavers will prevent erosion and instability, creating a sturdy platform that can handle both vehicles and the natural elements.
Installation of Pavers
While the specific installation process will vary with your terrain and driveway paver, there are a few basic steps. Usually, you want to lay down a deep layer of gravel as a base. This assists with drainage when it does rain, allowing the water to sink below the surface. Some will place a permeable weed block fabric first but my personal experience is weeds can grow with a minimal amount of dirt and moisture and I feel the fabric isn’t necessary or productive.
After leveling the base you position the pavers as desired. Many pavers are kept in place with long garden staples or spikes. Make sure the pavers are level or consistent with the natural slope of your terrain. Once all the pavers are in place, you then fill in with your choice of material. You might be tempted to ignore filling in all those empty pockets in the pavers, but they must be filled in to get the maximum support and stability for your project. Plus you do not want somebody’s foot getting caught in one of the openings.
Once the aggregate is used to fill in the pavers, lightly spray some water over the area to help the aggregate settle in. Use either a power tamper or roller to help settle the material into the pavers and add more if necessary to any low spots. Then you can enjoy a stable, secure driveway or pad.
What to Consider When Buying Driveway Pavers
Driveway pavers need to be strong and sturdy above all else. When you’re picking out some pavers, it’s important to consider the features that make them strong: the material they’re made out of, and their weight capacity. Look at the weight capacity or strength of each grid or section of paver. That will tell you just how much weight your driveway will be able to support. Additionally, the material should be strong, not brittle, and able to stay together even under extremely heavy weight. Consider how the pavers join together and how securely they stay joined.
You’ll also want to consider the size of your driveway. You may need more pavers to cover larger spaces; if you’re working with a more unique space, you might also need specialized shapes or sizing. Look for pavers that’ll allow you to cut them to size to create the right foundation for your needs.
Final Thoughts
The TRUEGRID PRO PLUS PERMEABLE PAVERS are our favorite option for durable, high-strength driveway pavers that’ll offer support and long-term stability. When it comes to value and price, the VEVOR PERMEABLE PAVERSrepresent another very affordable option.
