Best Snow Blowers for a Large Driveway Today

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Pressed for time? Check our best picks

best overall rating★★★★★

Husqvarna ST224P

  • Durable rubber tires
  • Comes heated handgrips
  • Remote chute adjustment
best overall rating★★★★★

 Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30XP

  • Easy to use
  • Extremely powerful
  • Rugged construction
best overall rating★★★★★

 Snow Joe SJ627E

  • Quick electric starter
  • Durable
  • compact construction

Our reviews are unbiased, fact-based, and comprehensively researched to help you make the right buying decisions.

 
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If a person says they enjoy shoveling tons of snow in the winter, they’re lying.

But it’s a chore that needs to be done, and incredibly large driveways are the absolute worst.

To make life easier, we recommend getting a snow blower that moves tons of snow every minute to clear large driveways free in no time at all.

In this guide, we’ll tell you about the number-one best snow blower for large driveways.

After researching over 20 different models, we’re sure you’ll like what you see.

best overall rating

Best Snow Blower for Large Driveway – Husqvarna ST224P

The best overall snow blower for large driveways is the Husqvarna ST224P.

This is a two-stage snow blower that chews, swallows, and spits out about 800 pounds of snow every minute.

Here’s a quick look at the ST22P’s key specifications—

  • 24 x 23-inch Intake
  • Two-Stage
  • 35-foot Throw Distance
  • Power Steering

The ST224P is a two-stage snow blower that features a large intake—24 x 23 inches—and heavy-duty augers that draw in more snow per sweep.

The impeller fan then takes the crushed snow and ice and discharges them up as a fine powder up to 35 feet away.

The ST224P comes with a power steering feature that allows it to glide around tight corners and turn 180° effortlessly.

With large tires, the ST224P doesn’t damage concrete or gravel surfaces, and it provides extra traction for steady work on slippery surfaces.

However, the one area where the ST224P struggles is when dealing with wet snow.

The augers crush it easily, but the impeller fan doesn’t provide enough power to discharge it more than a foot away.

Pros

  • Durable rubber tires
  • Comes heated handgrips
  • Remote chute adjustment
  • Excellent maneuverability

Cons

  • Could work better on wet snow

The ST224P is one of the most astounding two-stage snow blowers on the market. It can clear large driveways in hardly any time, leaving you more time to enjoy indoors.

Top  Snowblower for Large Driveway Compared

Product Image
Product Name
Features
Price

Best Overall - Husqvarna ST224P
  • Intake: 24 x 23 in.
  • Stage: Two
  • Discharge Distance: 35 ft.
  • Remote Chute Deflector



Best Premium - Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30XP
  • Intake: 30 x 23 in.
  • Stage: Two
  • Discharge Distance: 40 ft.
  • X-Trac Tires



Best Budget - Snow Joe SJ627E
  • Intake: 22 x 13 in.
  • Stage: Single
  • Discharge Distance: 25 ft.
  • LED Headlamps



Briggs & Stratton 1696506
  • Intake: 22 x 12.5 in.
  • Stage: Single
  • Discharge Distance: 30 ft.
  • SnowShredder



Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe SHO
  • Intake: 28 x 23.5 in.
  • Stage: Two
  • Discharge Distance: 50 ft.
  • Auto-Turn



Dirty Hand Tools 103879
  • Intake: 30 x 20 in.
  • Stage: Two
  • Discharge Distance: 40 ft.
  • Self-Propelled



Ariens ST30DLE Platinum 30 SHO
  • Intake: 30 x 21 in.
  • Stage: Two
  • Discharge Distance: 50 ft.
  • Auto-Turn


Reviews of Best snow blower for Large Driveway

Best Premium - Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30XP

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 30 x 23-inch Intake
  • Two-Stage
  • 40-foot Throw Distance
  • X-Trac Tires

The Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30XP is a top-tier two-stage snow blower that handles all types of snow with ease.

The massive 357cc engine drives two serrated augers that chomp down on 23-inch-high mounds effortlessly before the high-powered impeller tosses all debris 40 feet to your neighbor’s yard.

Equipped with X-Trac tires, the Storm 30XP is able to stand and move steadily across slippery surfaces without sliding.

The skid shoes prevent the steel auger from scraping against your concrete or gravel driveway while providing minimal lift in order to remove more snow per pass.

It handles compacted snow mounds without trouble, though ice can clog the chute from time to time.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Extremely powerful
  • Rugged construction
  • Comes with power steering and heated handgrips

Cons

  • Could work better at crushing ice

As our premium pick, the Troy-Bilt Storm 30XP will stand up to any snow conditions, even in areas with the harshest climates.

Best Budget - Snow Joe SJ627E

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 22 x 13-inch Intake
  • Single-Stage
  • 25-foot Throw Distance
  • LED Headlamps

The Snow Joe SJ672E is an incredible electric snow blower.

It’s a single-stage unit, meaning it does not feature an impeller fan, but its high-powered augers deliver enough spinning force to toss snow up to 25 feet away in a single throwing motion.

This unit sports a 15A motor driven by 40V battery to crush and discharge up to 25 tons of snow every hour.

Each charge provides around 30 minutes of continuous snow-blowing abilities, but it takes anywhere from three to five hours to fully recharge.

If you pick this budget-friendly model, you should have plenty of cash left over to purchase one or two backup 40V 6-Ah battery packs.

Watch the SJ672E in action in this promotional video by Snow Joe. 

Pros

  • Quick electric starter
  • Durable, compact construction
  • Incredibly quiet electric motor
  • Outshines most non-Snow Joe electric snow blowers

Cons

  • Could come with more than one battery pack

If you’re shopping on a budget, the Snow Joe SJ672E is the perfect electric single-stage snow blower for driveways and other paved surfaces.

Briggs & Stratton 1696506

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 22 x 12.5-inch Intake
  • Single-Stage
  • 30-foot Throw Distance
  • SnowShredder Technology

Next up is a Briggs & Stratton creation: the 1696506. Its name is a mouthful to pronounce, but it’s a straightforward machine equipped with more power than most single-stage gas models.

It sports a 205cc engine and a massive intake that spits out decimated snow up to 30 feet away. The magic behind the 1696506’s stellar performance is SnowShredder Technology.

Briggs & Stratton have designed a serrated auger that provides more contact area with every turn, turning compacted snow mounds into powdery, dischargeable debris.

Check out the beauty of Briggs & Stratton’s single-stage lineup, including the 1696506, in this short video. 

Pros

  • Far throwing distance
  • High-traction rubber tires
  • Shreds snow and ice fragments into tiny pieces
  • Powerful motor for single-stage gas snow blower

Cons

  • Could work better on wet snow

The 1696506 looks like a single-stage machine but behaves more like a light-duty two-stager. For its low cost, you can enjoy incredible snow-blowing performance without damaging your concrete driveway.

Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe SHO

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 28 x 23.5-inch Intake
  • Two-Stage
  • 50-foot Throw Distance
  • Auto-Turn

The Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe SHO is a two-stage snow blower than many professionals swear by.

It’s humungous intake—28 x 23.5 inches—comes with two oversized augers that slice and dice the tallest snowbanks.

With help from the 306cc engine, the impeller fan not only further crushes snow, but it also tosses the shredded remains up to 50 feet away.

The tall housing adds weight to the front-end, allowing it to work downhill extremely well while the skid shoes stop the steel intake housing from scratching your driveway.

The ST28DLE comes with an auto steering feature to help achieve near-zero-radius turning, even on icy surfaces. You can maintain work speed on a higher gear while making tight turns.

If you’re curious to see how auto-turn tech works, take a look at this video. 

Pros

  • Far throwing distance
  • Large snow-chomping jaws
  • Impeccable maneuverability
  • Rugged and well-balanced design

Cons

  • Serrated augers could be thicker

If you’ve struggled with making turn turns with your snow blower in the past, the Ariens ST28DLE is the answer to your problem.

Dirty Hand Tools 103879

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 30 x 20-inch Intake
  • Two-Stage
  • 40-foot Throw Distance
  • Self-Propelled

The Dirty Hand Tools 103879 looks a lot more intimidating than it is.

It sports a heavy-duty 302cc engine that drives the 20-inch augers to plow through the most compacted snowbanks imaginable, turning them to fine, dischargeable pieces.

The impeller fan handles the rest, disposing of the snow—slushy or powdery—to awaiting snow piles 40 feet away.

The control board is a lot simpler in looks than most two-stage models, but this is a major upside for first-time users.

The self-propelling system ensures that the machine continues to move at all times to improve productivity, while the skid shoes stop the steel auger from making direct contact with your driveway’s surface.

This video by Dirty Hand Tools will show you what this classic two-stage snow blower is all about. 

Pros

  • Ultra-powerful augers
  • Comes with cleaning accessories
  • Different hand-warming levels
  • Remote controlled chute deflector

Cons

  • Could be easier to start

The recoil starter is a minor issue considering the 103879 exceptional snow-blowing capabilities and convenience-adding features.

Ariens ST30DLE Platinum 30 SHO

best overall rating

Key Specifications

  • 30 x 21-inch Intake
  • Two-Stage
  • 50-foot Throw Distance
  • Auto-Turn

The Ariens ST30DLE is similar to its little-brother version, the ST28DLE, in many ways. In fact, except for its slightly wider intake, the two are identical from head to toe.

This means you can expect the same top-notch performance from the 30-incher that you’d get from the narrower 28-inch version.

Though two inches isn’t a lot (that’s what she said!), for those with wide driveways, you’ll definitely feel a difference (that’s what he said!).

What’s great about this and all other Ariens snow blowers is that the product manual provides clear instructions on how to get the machine set up and running right out of the box.

Pros

  • Far throwing distance
  • Damage-free skid shoes
  • Wider intake means quicker work
  • Fantastic snow-blowing abilities

Cons

  • Serrated augers could be thicker and more durable

So, if you want the fantastic performance of an Ariens snow blower but want to spend less time in the chilling outdoors, the 30-incher ST30DLE is your ticket to more free time.

FAQ’s

Here, we’ll take a few moments to answer the most frequently asked questions about snow blowers.

Do I need a two-stage snow blower for my driveway?

Not at all. As you can see from the products on our list, we’ve provided two single-stage alternatives to the Husqvarna ST224P that you might appreciate. Granted, they don’t toss snow nearly as far, and they are underpowered against taller piles of snow, but if you don’t get excessive snowfall in the winter, a single-stage model is a more cost-effective solution.

Is gas better than electric snow blowers?

In general, yes, gas snow blowers outperform electric snow blowers in every way imaginable. If you want farther throwing distance, choose a gas-powered snow blower. However, if you don’t like the loud noises of combustion engines or the idea of toxic fumes harming the environment, then electric snow blowers like the Snow Joe SJ672E is for you.

When should I replace my snow blower?

If you inherited a snow blower from a grandparent, then it might be time to upgrade. Snow blowers generally last for up to 15 years with regular maintenance, and even though you might be able to squeeze a couple extra seasons’ work out of your machine, you may be doing more harm than good to the environment and your driveway. New models have safer features that make them easier on both the operator and concrete driveways.

Which brand makes the best snow blower?

In terms of snow blowers made for clearing large driveways, we have to hand it to Husqvarna for producing the number-one pick on our list. However, when looking at the greater picture, there’s no one company that totally dominates the snow-blowing sphere, and many of them share similar features with different names. But the most important thing to consider is that the “best” snow blower brand or model is the one that fits your needs best without going overboard.

Summary

That, ladies and gentlemen, concludes our quick guide on the best snow blower for large driveways.

If you think the Husqvarna ST224P deserves the number-one spot, let us know in the comment section. If you have another model in mind, let us know and we can argue about it.

We’ve researched 20 snow blower models, so we’re fairly confident in our picks.

About Ryan Henderson

Ryan has more than ten years of experience of writing on power tools - use, reviews, and more. During his free time, he loves cooking and spending time with his dog.

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