What Is The Standard Size of a Driveway Gate?


We will be happy to answer all your questions on driveway gate sizes and installation. Jay 360 is a leading installer of manual and automatic driveway gates in Toronto. Contact our driveway gate experts here for a free consultation.

Driveway gates are usually between 9 and 24 feet wide. But depending on your property and the type of vehicle traffic you expect to be driving through the gate, your driveway gate can be any width that works for you.

That said, driveway gates for residential properties typically range between 9 and 12 feet. These are also the standard driveway gate sizes that big box home improvement retailers stock. At the same time, driveway gate manufacturers allow property owners the option to order custom-sized driveway gates.

Cities in Ontario do not impose rules on how wide your driveway gate should be. Where specified, most cities only stipulate maximum heights for driveways on residential properties.

Your Driveway Gate Must Serve Your Needs First


It’s important to get a driveway gate that fits your needs. This means a gate that is safe, fits your property, and which is wide enough to allow the smooth entry and exit of vehicles.

As you ponder the ideal driveway gate size, consider your driveway or gate opening's width. This is often a product of your property’s layout. Besides that, you will need to answer questions on:
  • The size of vehicles you expect to drive through the gate,
  • Whether you prefer a single or double car drive,

Most residential property driveways accommodate a single car. In that case, the driveway will be between 9 and 12 feet wide.


Nine feet may prove to be too tight for larger vehicles, especially delivery trucks. Even for smaller cars, you may have problems with people stepping onto your well-tended grass lawns as they step out of their vehicles. So driveway gate widths between 10 and 12 feet will be the sweet spot for single car drives.

Nine feet may prove to be too tight for larger vehicles, especially delivery trucks. Even for smaller cars, you may have problems with people stepping onto your well-tended grass lawns as they step out of their vehicles. So driveway gate widths between 10 and 12 feet will be the sweet spot for single car drives.

How Do I Determine My Driveway Gate Size?

Determining your driveway gate’s size isn’t that hard. You should be able to do it your self.

We will assume the height will depend on the type and height of your fence. But be careful here, your city will likely have bylaws that limit fence and gate height. So it is best to get their guidance.

To work out the ideal width for your driveway gate:

First, measure the width of your gate opening. This is the distance between your gate posts.

If your gate is a standard size that you can buy ready-made, like 9, 12, and 12 inches, the gate opening will need to be a few inches wider. For example, a 12’ wide gate for a 9’ 7” to 11’ 9” driveway openin

Another important factor of the width of your gate is whether the approach to the driveway gate is straight or curved.

A curved or angled driveway will require the driveway gate to be wider than the standard recommendation for the gate opening. The extra width ensures enough space to maneuver for longer and larger vehicles, like RVs and pick-up trucks hauling boats or trailers.

While a wide driveway gate may seem ideal, remember that its larger size means you will need more materials for it, which drives up the cost. You would also need to budget for more maintenance work.

Still can’t decide what gate size is ideal for your gate?


We will be happy to answer all your questions on driveway gate sizes and installation. Jay 360 is a leading installer of manual and automatic driveway gates in Toronto. Contact our driveway gate experts here for a free consultation.
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