New Driveway

I have recently purchased a home in Colorado. On the left side of the house the previous owners laid down pebbles, gravel and and flagstones. I want to pour concrete and make a new driveway for my work truck (Ford Ranger). Is it possible for me to just frame the new area and pour the concrete myself, or do I need to remove the stones, gravel and such to ensure a good quality driveway? Here are some pictures for you all to look at. Any help will be appreciated! Thanks in advance

View image: Driveway
View image: Driveway2
View image: Driveway3

 

Besides the stepping stones, it looks like it's ready for concrete. However, it's hard to tell from just a few photos. For instance, we don't know how deep the fill stone is.

 

Pecos, in saying "how deep the fill stone is" are you referring from the top of the existing driveway to the ground level?

 

It would be from the top of the stone down to the dirt under the stone.

 

the depth of the stone base is part of the equation. the orther question is; did the previous owners remove the organic topsoil (black dirt) before laying the stone. No matter how deep the stone is and how well compacted it is if it is placed on top of something that is still breaking down like organic soil then you will have settlement issues. "If you build on crap you get crap". You need to know what you are building on before you start driveway work. Of course if you pour concrete with steel rebar reinforcement (not just wire fabric) you can bridge some soft subgrade to an extent. good luck

 

Get rid of the large stepping stones, and you should be good to go (assuming all of the organics were removed under the gravel). Rent a plate compactor, and give it a good workout on the gravel. Don't forget to match the existing joint types in the adjacent concrete you'll be pouring against. And make sure to keep the mesh/rebar near the center of your new concrete, not at the bottom (dobies or sand chairs work well for that).