Designing and building a concrete driveway requires ample planning and preparation. The path of the driveway determines the various needs for the preparation of the area. A driveway that passes over moist soil or areas high in clay should have a layer of rock laid down for additional drainage. The driveway should ideally follow the contours of the land but can cut through small hills or inclines. Preparing the area requires digging out the ground, tamping the ground flat and laying down a moisture barrier of some form.
Mark the area for the driveway with marking paint. Spray a line around the desired edges of the concrete driveway.
Spread a 1-to-2-inch layer of crushed gravel with a rake. The gravel should extend to the edges of the hole and be level. Tamp the gravel smooth and flat. The remaining hole should be 6 inches deep. Add or remove gravel as needed to obtain the proper depth.