How we know: guideline sizes come from typical local codes and builder practice; measured sizes come from not yet published driveways 18 feet wide or more in the Driveway Size Report.
Standard two-car driveway dimensions
| Width | Depth | Area | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tight minimum | 20 ft | 18 ft | 360 sq ft |
| Comfortable | 24 ft | 20 ft | 480 sq ft |
| With room to walk around and a trash-can strip | 26 to 28 ft | 20 ft | 520 to 560 sq ft |
A typical car is about 6 feet wide without mirrors and 15 to 16 feet long. Full-size pickups run about 7 feet wide and 19 to 20 feet long, so a truck owner should plan on the comfortable size at least.
What we actually measure
The median two-car driveway we've measured is not yet published feet wide and not yet published feet long. Many are wider at the garage than at the street, which is why tracing the outline beats measuring one width.
Two cars side by side vs end to end
Side by side needs width (20 ft or more) and is easiest in front of a double garage. End to end (tandem) needs only 10 to 12 feet of width but about 36 to 40 feet of length, and someone always has to move a car.
How much gravel a two-car driveway takes
A 20 x 24 ft pad needs about 8.5 tons at 4 inches deep. Details and other depths: gravel for a 20 x 24 driveway.
Measure yours
Trace your driveway to see its exact size, including the flare at the street and the apron at the garage.