Find where runoff enters the driveway
Water may arrive from uphill ground, follow wheel tracks, spill out of a blocked ditch, or overflow a culvert. Concentrated flow can cut channels into gravel and undermine the base or driveway edges.
A useful repair plan looks above and below the damaged section. Restoring the surface while leaving the same runoff path can lead to another washout.
Rebuild the damaged section
Loose debris and unstable material may need removal before a sound base is restored. Usable gravel can sometimes be recovered, but material that has washed into drainage channels should not simply be pushed back without checking its condition.
The repaired section needs the right profile, suitable material, and compaction. Depending on the cause, the work may also include a restored crown, reshaped ditch, protected outlet, or culvert replacement.
Reduce the chance of repeat erosion
Water should leave the driveway along a planned route rather than gather speed down its length. Ditches and swales need a functioning outlet, and culverts need enough capacity for their drainage setting.
No surface treatment can guarantee that a driveway will never wash out. Correcting the source of concentrated flow and maintaining drainage openings helps reduce repeat damage.
What to include in your request
Tell us where the gravel went, whether a pipe or ditch overflowed, and whether the access is still passable. Photos taken from a safe, stable location after water recedes can help explain the damage. Do not drive over an undermined edge or a visibly damaged crossing.