Quick verdict
A gravel driveway is cleared only by a two-stage blower, because its auger floats above the ground on skid shoes and never touches the stone. The Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is the gas standard for long drives; the Husqvarna ST224 is the mid-size gas pick with shoes made for gravel; the EGO 24-inch two-stage XP is the battery choice. Set the shoes to hold the scraper bar an inch up and leave a skin of snow on the gravel.
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
A gravel drive needs a two-stage blower whose auger never touches the ground, set up on skid shoes that hold the scraper bar an inch above the stone, and the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is the homeowner two-stage most often found on them: a 28-inch bucket, an SHO engine with more power than the standard Deluxe, a steel auger and impeller, electric start, adjustable skid shoes and the Ariens build that lasts decades. It clears a long gravel drive after a foot of snow.
The best snow blowers for a gravel driveway: Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO, Husqvarna ST224 24-inch and EGO 24-inch two-stage XP, all two-stage with skid shoes, compared on width, power, drive and gas versus battery.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower | Best for Long Gravel Drives | 9.2 | Check price |
| Husqvarna ST224 24-Inch 212cc Two-Stage Snow Blower | Best Mid-Size Gas Two-Stage | 8.9 | Check price |
| EGO Power+ 24-Inch Self-Propelled Two-Stage XP Snow Blower | Best Battery Two-Stage for Gravel | 8.8 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
A gravel drive needs a two-stage blower whose auger never touches the ground, set up on skid shoes that hold the scraper bar an inch above the stone, and the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is the homeowner two-stage most often found on them: a 28-inch bucket, an SHO engine with more power than the standard Deluxe, a steel auger and impeller, electric start, adjustable skid shoes and the Ariens build that lasts decades. It clears a long gravel drive after a foot of snow.
Reasons to buy
- 28-inch two-stage with electric start
- Adjustable skid shoes for gravel
- SHO engine for deep snow
- Ariens durability
Reasons to avoid
- Gas: fuel, oil and storage
- Heavy and large
- Expensive
Husqvarna ST224 24-Inch 212cc Two-Stage Snow Blower
The Husqvarna ST224 brings a 212cc engine with electronic fuel injection, a push-button electric start, a friction disc transmission, a ribbon auger that mixes air into heavy snow and adjustable plastic skid shoes that Husqvarna includes specifically so the blower can be raised over gravel. The 24-inch width suits a normal gravel drive.
Reasons to buy
- Adjustable skid shoes for gravel
- 212cc with fuel injection
- Electric start and chute rotator
- Ribbon auger for heavy snow
Reasons to avoid
- Gas maintenance
- 24 inches takes more passes than 28
- Plastic shoes wear faster than steel
EGO Power+ 24-Inch Self-Propelled Two-Stage XP Snow Blower
The EGO 24-inch two-stage XP runs two 56V packs through Peak Power to throw heavy wet snow up to 50 feet, with a 20-inch intake, a variable-speed steel auger, self-propelled drive with trigger steering and EGO rating of a 24-car driveway in 8 inches on two 10 Ah packs. As a two-stage its auger rides above the ground on skid shoes, which is what makes it gravel-safe; it is sold bare.
Reasons to buy
- Two-stage, auger clears the gravel
- Throws 50 feet
- Self-propelled with trigger steering
- No gas, no winter storage prep
Reasons to avoid
- Bare tool; two 10 Ah packs are a large purchase
- Battery in deep cold
- 24-inch width
Why gravel rules out single-stage blowers
A single-stage snow blower scrapes the ground with its auger, which on gravel picks up stones and fires them through the chute at windows, cars and shins. A two-stage blower is different: the auger sits in a bucket that rides on skid shoes, and with the shoes adjusted the auger floats an inch above the surface, lifting the snow and leaving the gravel. Every blower on this page is two stage, and the choice between them is width, power and gas against battery.
This guide is built from the published specifications of each blower and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these blowers ourselves.
How the three compare
| Blower | Width | Power | Start | Skid shoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO | 28 in | Ariens SHO gas | Electric | Adjustable |
| Husqvarna ST224 | 24 in | 212cc EFI gas | Electric | Adjustable plastic |
| EGO 24 two-stage XP | 24 in | Two 56V packs | Button | Adjustable |
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO: the gravel standard
Walk a rural road after a storm and the blower on the long gravel drives is an Ariens Deluxe. The 28 SHO has the higher-output engine, a 28-inch steel bucket, a steel auger and impeller, electric start and adjustable skid shoes that hold the scraper bar off the stone. It is heavy, it is gas with all that means for fuel and storage, and it clears a 200-foot gravel drive after a foot of snow in a morning and does it for twenty winters.
Husqvarna ST224: the mid-size with gravel shoes
Husqvarna fits the ST224 with adjustable plastic skid shoes and says so for gravel, on a 24-inch two-stage with a 212cc fuel-injected engine that starts at a button in the cold, a friction disc transmission, a ribbon auger that mixes air into wet snow and a chute rotator. For a normal gravel drive it is the sensible gas pick, with more passes than a 28 and a lighter machine to turn.
EGO 24-inch two-stage XP: no gas
The EGO two-stage XP is the battery blower that belongs on gravel, because like any two stage its auger rides above the ground. Two 56V packs through Peak Power throw heavy snow up to 50 feet, the 20-inch intake takes a deep fall, the drive is self-propelled with trigger steering and EGO rates two 10 Ah packs for a 24-car driveway in 8 inches. It is sold bare, so two big packs are added, and in return there is no fuel, no oil and no spring storage ritual.
Blowing a gravel drive well
Set the skid shoes so the scraper bar is about an inch above the gravel, and leave that inch of snow on the drive all winter; it packs into a base that protects the stone. Blow slowly in deep snow and throw downwind away from the house and cars, because the odd stone still goes through. Mark the drive edges with stakes before the first storm so the blower stays on the gravel. Rake the drive level in spring to replace what the winter moved.
Which one should you buy
Buy the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO for a long gravel drive and deep snow. Buy the Husqvarna ST224 for a normal gravel drive with gravel shoes from the factory. Buy the EGO 24-inch two-stage XP to clear gravel without gas.
How we research
This guide is built from the published specifications, manuals and warranty terms of each product and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these products ourselves; where a maker does not publish a figure we say so rather than guess.
What to look for
Two stage only
Single-stage augers touch the ground and throw gravel through the chute. Two-stage augers ride above it.
Skid shoes
Adjustable shoes set the scraper bar an inch above the gravel. Steel shoes last; poly shoes are quieter and kinder to pavement.
Width and power
Long drives want 28 inches and an engine or battery pair that does not bog in a foot of snow.
Gas or battery
Gas runs all morning and needs fuel and storage prep; battery is quiet and needs two big packs.
Our verdict
A gravel driveway is cleared only by a two-stage blower, because its auger floats above the ground on skid shoes and never touches the stone. The Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is the gas standard for long drives; the Husqvarna ST224 is the mid-size gas pick with shoes made for gravel; the EGO 24-inch two-stage XP is the battery choice. Set the shoes to hold the scraper bar an inch up and leave a skin of snow on the gravel.
FAQs
A two-stage blower with the skid shoes raised, yes. A single-stage blower throws the gravel.
So the scraper bar sits about an inch above the surface, leaving a thin layer of snow on the gravel.
Occasionally one gets picked up. Keep the chute away from windows and cars and do not blow toward the road.
Gas for a long drive and deep snow; battery for a normal drive and no fuel. Both must be two stage.
