What's The Ideal Driveway Dimensions For A Side Entry Garage?
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?
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.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qctr1tkygfc
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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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.
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