The effects of drying control chemical additives (DCCA) on the growth of silica particles, gelation time and physical properties of the dry gel were examined in a two-step silica sol-gel process. N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and ethylene glycol (EG) were applied as DCCAs. The shapes of growing silica particles were distorted spheres on addition of DCCA. EG accelerated the gelation process. Despite the use of DCCA, crack-free, dry gels were obtained only under limited conditions.