What’s The Ideal Driveway Dimensions For A Side Entry Garage? | Upgraded Home (2024)

Side entrance garages are idyllic for many homeowners since they offer a convenient access from one's car door to their house. However, if you're looking to renovate your property, then you may want to see if you have enough available space first. Follow along as we explore the ideal dimensions for a side entry garage.

What’s The Ideal Driveway Dimensions For A Side Entry Garage? | Upgraded Home (1)

Designing your own home isn’t always easy, and every little detail can be a tough decision. This is especially true when it comes to areas that involve fitting large items (like a car or truck) comfortably into a small space.

When you are working with a side entry garage, things can get a little dicey. The common consensus is that the ideal dimensions are around 25 by 30 feet, but that’s only a fraction of what homeowners should take into consideration.

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What’s The Ideal Driveway Dimensions For A Side Entry Garage? | Upgraded Home (2)

What’s The Ideal Driveway Dimensions For A Side Entry Garage?

This all depends on how many cars you want to fit into your garage, as well as the size of the cars that you want to fit into your garage. Typical driveways are around 18 by 20 feet, but that’s because they’re usually front entry garages. Front entry garages don’t need as much space as side entry garages.

While front-entries can work well with around 10 by 18 feet of driveway length, most side entry garages will need at least 30 feet of length or more to be functional for a two-car garage. Getting the width will depend on how many cars you intend on storing in your garage as well as the turns you need to make.

Why Do Side Entry Driveways Need More Space?

When you have a front-entry garage, parking inside is fairly simple. You can pull in, and pull out while keeping the steering wheel almost entirely straight. Side entry garages require more maneuvering since there will be a point in your parking routine that involves a turn.

Cars don’t have the ability to magically make 90-degree turns. Knowing that, you have to add extra space to accommodate the turning radius your car needs.

What Is Considered To Be The Bare Minimum For Side Entry Garage Driveways?

Assuming that you have a standard two-car garage, you will need to have at least 24 feet of “backup space.” In terms of width, you should expect to have a minimum of 18 feet if you have a two-car garage.

If you have a single-car garage design, you can often squeeze in a driveway as small as 12 feet wide. Though it’s theoretically possible to make that work with a side-entry garage, it rarely is ever a good idea. This puts your car at a high risk of accidents, simply because most cars can’t handle that sharp a turning radius. A safer bet would be to expect a minimum of 14 to 16 feet of width.

What Can Impact Your Ideal Driveway’s Measurements?

Aside from the number of cars you intend on bringing into your garage, the other major issue that can make a difference in your driveway deals with the vehicles you’re parking. People who know that they’re going to be dealing with compact cars won’t need as much maneuvering space as a person who’s going to park a bus or large van in their garage.

When putting together your planning, make sure to keep your vehicle sizes in mind. After all, you’re going to be the one who is going to be driving out of your garage.

Check Out The Following Video For The Most Commonly Asked Driveway Questions.

Here’s What The Ideal Driveway Dimensions For Side Entry Garages Are, According To The Pros

Many professional pavers note that having a side entry garage requires extra space, but that the ideal space can change depending on the layout of the house and other considerations.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • The standard side entry driveway for two cars is 25 by 30 feet. Most suggest having a 25 length by 30-foot width, assuming that you’re dealing with a standard driveway shape.
  • The standard side entry driveway for one car is 18 by 30 feet. Some suggest having more space, with the more common suggestion being around 20 feet.
  • If you have extra space, add at least five more feet of width. Some would suggest giving drivers even more space, but that’s generally viewed as excessive. That said, having extra space will only make it easier for drivers to access your garage with ease.
  • Bus owners should consider having a circular driveway instead. If you own a bus or a similar large-scale vehicle, having a side entry garage might not be a good idea due to the sheer amount of maneuvering and space required for them. Circular driveways or large lots might be a better option.

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What’s The Ideal Driveway Dimensions For A Side Entry Garage? | Upgraded Home (3)

Our Final Take

Side entry garages are not space-savers, at least when it comes to driveways. If you want to have a side entry garage, prepare to have a driveway that’s 25 by 30 feet or more, depending on what you intend to drive.

Sounds like more space than you can afford? Sticking to a front-entry garage might be your best bet.

Related Guides

  • What Are The Standard Dimensions For A 2 Car Garage?
  • Does A Concrete Driveway Increase Property Value?
  • Driveway Edging Ideas (With Photos)

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We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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What’s The Ideal Driveway Dimensions For A Side Entry Garage? | Upgraded Home (2024)

FAQs

What is a good size for a driveway? ›

Primarily, most professionals recommend that you install a 10 feet to 12 feet wide driveway. The standard driveway width for an SUV or conventional pickup truck is 10 feet. Anything less than 10' wide will likely present difficulties for drivers, even in smaller vehicles.

How wide should a driveway be to turn around? ›

At a minimum, parking stalls require 10 feet of width and 20 feet of length. A turn-around should provide just enough space for a car to back into and pull out of in drive. The typical dimensions for a turn-around are 10 feet by 20 feet.

How much clearance do you need in front of a garage? ›

The space should be about 9 or 10 feet wide by about 18 feet long.

What is the average length of a driveway? ›

Driveway lengths

Generally plan your driveways using 18-20 feet of length for each car or truck. Allow 22-24 feet for full size pickups with extended cabs and oversized mini-vans.

What is the width of a 2 car driveway? ›

A double-car driveway can have a width between 20 and 24 feet. 20 feet gives enough space for two cars to pass each other, but this may not be enough space for two cars to open their doors if they are parked side by side.

Which side of the house should the garage go? ›

Whether the garage for your new home is attached to the house or detached from the house, it is wise to put the garage on the “high side” of the lot. So, if when looking at your lot face-on, it slopes down from left to right, the garage would go on the left side of the house.

How wide is an average car? ›

According to VEHQ, the average width of a car is 5.8 feet. Vehicle widths usually vary due to aerodynamic performance or added safety features. Here are some fast facts on vehicle widths: The most narrow vehicle is the Chevrolet Spark at 5.2 feet wide, making it the vehicle with the smallest footprint in the U.S.

How big is the average driveway square feet? ›

Size: The average 2-car driveway in the U.S. is 16 x 40 feet, or a total of 640 square feet. Many driveways may be larger or smaller, depending on the distance from the garage or house to the street and possible extensions for RV parking.

How much room do you need for a side garage? ›

16 feet would probably be enough clearance to get a single sedan-type car into a two-car garage, assuming no other car in the driveway. I've got about 18 feet of space to maneuver into my garage, and it's tough when there's another vehicle parked in the driveway.

How much room do you need around a car in a garage? ›

Most contractors and architects recommend you design your garage to have a 10-foot by 20-foot space for each vehicle. This will give you a lane between your cars in which to walk (you should include 36 inches between each car) and a bit of a buffer zone.

What is a side entry garage? ›

A side entry garage, while not visible from the front of the house, is still very much a primary feature of the ground floor. Rather than being accessed by a front driveway, however, it is accented by a driveway to the side of the house where cars enter from a lateral position rather than from straight ahead.

How thick is a driveway? ›

As for thickness, non-reinforced pavement four inches thick is standard for passenger car driveways. For heavier vehicles, a thickness of five inches is recommended. To eliminate standing water, the driveway should be sloped towards the street a minimum of one percent, or 1/8 inch per foot, for proper drainage.

What is the length of an average car? ›

Typically, the average length of a car is around 14.7 feet. Different manufacturers and models will have varying car sizes, and standard automobiles and trucks are typically between 10-18 feet long. A midsize sedan is around 14 feet long, while a smaller car like a Mini Cooper will be about 10 feet long.

How wide should a gravel driveway be? ›

Plan your gravel driveway layout. The minimum width for a driveway is 10 feet, and a 12-foot width gives you room to step out of the vehicle and onto gravel. When one side of the driveway is a solid wall, allow up to 14 feet in width. The length needs to allow at least 18 feet per vehicle.

How wide is a 2 car garage door? ›

The standard garage door width and height can vary by where you live, but is usually: 8 feet wide by 7 feet tall, or 9 feet wide by 7 feet tall for a single car garage door. 16 feet by 7 feet for a double garage door.

How wide is a 3 car garage driveway? ›

If a triple car driveway should have a size of 30 to 36 feet or approximately 9 or 11 meters, the maximum of 36 feet or 11 meters will be better in the long run.

How do you measure a driveway? ›

Measure the length of your driveway in linear feet. Measure the width of your driveway in linear feet. Multiply the length x width to calculate the total square footage of your driveway.

Why are garages in front of houses? ›

The root of this design choice isn't aesthetic though but rather practical – garages located in the front of home take up much less lot space. Most homes don't allow for cars to be pulled along the side or in the backyard – making the default choice to put a garage in the front yard.

Should garage have doors? ›

Do Garages Need Side Doors? The IRC has no stipulation that Garages Need Side Doors. Unless the local building code requires it, the decision to have a garage side entry door is totally yours. Garage side doors are extremely convenient provided you have taken adequate security measures.

Do you need a window in garage? ›

Natural light is essential for any kind of room, the garage no longer being the exception. Even if you're only using the garage to store vehicles and few bikes, a little natural light can go a long way, but windows become especially necessary for homeowners looking to do any sort of project in their garages.

How wide is an average SUV? ›

Width: 78.0 inches. Height: 76.6 - 77.6 inches.

How wide is a car parking space? ›

For average parking spaces, the size tends to be around 7.5 to 9 feet in width and about 10 to 20 feet in length. It's important to note that oversized standard parking widths can pose a higher accident risk and reduce the number of parking spaces available as a whole.

What is considered a wide car? ›

The compact car or smaller sedan is going to average about 5 feet 10 inches wide. The mid-size sedan measures about 6 feet wide. The full-size or large sedan is going to measure more than 6 feet wide.

How much does it cost to pour a 24x24 slab of concrete? ›

A typical 24x24 garage slab costs between $3,057 and $5,944 with prices ranging from $5.31 to $8.31 per square foot for a 4” reinforced slab of concrete, and $6.83 to $10.32 per square foot for a 6” slab of reinforced concrete.

What is the cheapest type of driveway? ›

Aggregate, or gravel, is the cheapest and most durable of these four common driveway materials.

What is the cheapest gravel for a driveway? ›

The cheapest gravel for driveways is crusher run, crushed shells, crushed concrete, slate chips, recycled asphalt, and pea gravel, which all cost $15 to $30 per yard, or less than $1 per square foot when purchased in bulk from a quarry.

How wide is a driveway? ›

An average minimum width for driveways regardless of their length is 2.5-3 metres.

Is 10 feet wide enough for a garage? ›

Standard Garage Dimensions

Typically, we allow for 9 to 10 feet in width per car and 20 to 24 feet in depth. A single car garage door is typically 8 feet wide, adding another 8 feet in width for every additional vehicle, with a standard height of 7 feet.

How deep is a standard garage? ›

Although there is some wiggle room built in, the average depth of a standard-sized garage door is between 18 and 24 feet. That should fit just about any “regular” vehicle being sold today. The longest trucks on the market top out at around 250 inches, which is just over 20 feet.

What is the perfect size garage? ›

An averagely sized garage is 22′ to 24′. If your car's width is 6′ to 6.5′, adding a few feet all around will give you 20′, which is the minimum size. Opting for a 22′ or 24′ width will elevate your space a great deal.

Is 16 feet deep enough for a garage? ›

A 20-foot-deep garage is enough, but like the full-sized trucks, it will be tight getting them through the door because they are usually close to 7-feet wide, giving you less than six inches on each side as you drive in.
...
Length:16-16.5 feet
Width:6 feet
Height:6 feet
21 Jul 2022

How Big Should a garage be for 2 cars? ›

In short, the minimum dimensions for a 2 car garage should be 20'x20′ and to make extra space to get in and out of the car, it is recommended to go with 24'x24′ or larger.

Is a side load garage better? ›

If you're building in the suburbs or in a rural area, side entrance garages may be the best choice for you. Side entrance garages allow you to have a bigger driveway, which may make it easier to park and leave with ease.

What is a snout garage? ›

August 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) A snout house is a house with a protruding garage that takes up most of the street frontage. This layout is worked into many styles of houses, including single-family houses, duplexes and other multifamily structures.

Does an angled garage cost more? ›

Do angled garages cost more to build? Typically,builders will charge more for an angled garage due to the additional labor required to lay out the forms for the garage walls.

How many square feet is the average driveway? ›

Size: The average 2-car driveway in the U.S. is 16 x 40 feet, or a total of 640 square feet. Many driveways may be larger or smaller, depending on the distance from the garage or house to the street and possible extensions for RV parking.

How wide is the average car? ›

According to VEHQ, the average width of a car is 5.8 feet. Vehicle widths usually vary due to aerodynamic performance or added safety features. Here are some fast facts on vehicle widths: The most narrow vehicle is the Chevrolet Spark at 5.2 feet wide, making it the vehicle with the smallest footprint in the U.S.

How wide should a gravel driveway be? ›

Plan your gravel driveway layout. The minimum width for a driveway is 10 feet, and a 12-foot width gives you room to step out of the vehicle and onto gravel. When one side of the driveway is a solid wall, allow up to 14 feet in width. The length needs to allow at least 18 feet per vehicle.

How deep should driveway gravel be? ›

A standard driveway is between 12 and 18 inches deep.

You'd better get digging. Each of these gravel layers is a minimum of four inches deep, and some folks recommend making each layer as much as six inches.

What is the cheapest type of driveway? ›

Aggregate, or gravel, is the cheapest and most durable of these four common driveway materials.

How thick is a concrete driveway? ›

As for thickness, non-reinforced pavement four inches thick is standard for passenger car driveways. For heavier vehicles, a thickness of five inches is recommended. To eliminate standing water, the driveway should be sloped towards the street a minimum of one percent, or 1/8 inch per foot, for proper drainage.

How much does it cost to put in a concrete driveway? ›

Installing a concrete driveway costs $1,800 to $6,000, with an average price of $3,000. You'll pay $4 to $15 per square foot. Several factors influence the overall price, such as accessibility, location, type of concrete, size, removing the existing surface, decorative elements, and more.

How wide is an average SUV? ›

Width: 78.0 inches. Height: 76.6 - 77.6 inches.

How wide is a car parking space? ›

For average parking spaces, the size tends to be around 7.5 to 9 feet in width and about 10 to 20 feet in length. It's important to note that oversized standard parking widths can pose a higher accident risk and reduce the number of parking spaces available as a whole.

How much room do you need to open a car door in a garage? ›

Space between cars: Leave at least 36 inches (. 9 meter) between cars so that you can open their doors without hitting another car door. You can go slightly less on side walls, but be certain you can comfortably enter and exit your car.

What is the best base for a gravel driveway? ›

A gravel driveway should consist of a base layer of 6-inch stones. From there use at least one more layer of 2.5- to 3-inch stones before adding the top layer. Layers ensure a longer-lasting driveway and better drainage.

What is the cheapest gravel for a driveway? ›

The cheapest gravel for driveways is crusher run, crushed shells, crushed concrete, slate chips, recycled asphalt, and pea gravel, which all cost $15 to $30 per yard, or less than $1 per square foot when purchased in bulk from a quarry.

What type of gravel is best for driveways? ›

Crushed stone is the go-to for durability and low-cost driveways and will probably be your best option. . If you're making a gravel driveway for an area with tons of traffic, this is your old reliable.

How do I keep my gravel driveway from sinking? ›

The silt will loosen the gravel pieces, they will lose their friction and start to weaken and separate. Under these conditions your gravel will be a total and complete mess. To prevent this from happening, place a layer of Geotextile fabric between your subsoil and the bottom layer of gravel.

Do I need fabric under gravel driveway? ›

Is it really necessary to put fabric under my gravel driveway? Yes, if you want your driveway to last. Having geotextile fabric under your gravel driveway will prevent you from continually needing to add more aggregate base to your road since the rock will drop into the subgrade layer.

Is crushed concrete good for driveways? ›

Crushed Concrete driveways are a much more cost-effective driveway solution compared to gravel driveways, regular concrete driveways, or asphalt driveways. With benefits like the price, sustainability, and the fact that it can never crack and require a repair, crushed concrete is a great driveway option.

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