Huntsville Land Clearing Co. › Services › Driveway Clearing
Huntsville Land Clearing Co. is where Huntsville owners start when a homesite sits back in the woods. Describe where the drive needs to go, and a local land clearing contractor will call you back to talk through the route.
A driveway corridor has to be wider than the gravel itself. Ditches, shoulders, overhead clearance for concrete and delivery trucks, and room for a culvert all add width to the cleared strip.
Pick a route that drains
On the hilly ground east and southeast of Huntsville, a driveway that runs straight up a slope will wash out in the first hard rain. Following the contour, crossing drains at a right angle and staying out of low wet spots makes for a drive that lasts. Avoid any depression that might be a sinkhole.
Where the drive meets a public road, the city or Madison County may need to approve the entrance and any culvert. Check with them before clearing the connection.
Clearing versus building the drive
Clearing removes trees, brush and stumps along the corridor. Building the driveway means grading, adding base stone, installing culverts and compacting. Some contractors do both, others hand off. Make sure the quote states where clearing ends.
Stumps under the driving surface should come out rather than be ground, or they will rot and leave soft spots.
Access for the rest of the project
The driveway path is often cleared first so equipment can reach the house site. See lot clearing and site preparation for the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
How wide should a driveway be cleared?
Wider than the finished drive. Ask your builder or driveway contractor for the corridor width they need, including ditches and truck clearance.
Do I need erosion control for a driveway?
Often, on slopes or long drives. Larger disturbed areas generally require silt fence and stormwater coverage; check with ADEM and the city or county.
Related services
Lot Clearing
Open a house lot for the builder while saving shade trees near the footprint.
Site Preparation
Clearing, rough grading and erosion control to hand a buildable pad to your builder.
Stump Grinding
Grind leftover stumps below grade so you can mow, seed or build.
Back to Huntsville Land Clearing Co. for all services across Huntsville and surrounding Madison County communities.