Gravel driveway calculator
Tons of base course (#57) plus a finer topcoat, sized for the yards your local landscape supply actually delivers.
Quick answer
How many tons of gravel do I need?
Default 10% covers compaction loss and a little spillage.
| Area (sq ft) | 2″ deep | 4″ deep | 6″ deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.86 | 1.73 | 2.59 |
| 200 | 1.73 | 3.46 | 5.19 |
| 400 | 3.46 | 6.91 | 10.37 |
| 600 | 5.19 | 10.37 | 15.56 |
| 1000 | 8.64 | 17.28 | 25.93 |
Reading the output
Understanding your result
The headline number is total tons. Below it: cubic yards (for ordering from a landscape yard) and bag count (if you're under the bulk break-even).
What the count assumes: 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical gravel and 10% waste for compaction. Bump compaction allowance to 25% for crusher run, which loses a quarter of its volume once properly compacted.
When to bump the depth: driveways supporting heavy trucks or RVs need 8 to 10 inches total (a 4-inch base plus 4-inch surface course). A 4-inch driveway will rut within two years.
When to round up vs round down: always round up. Most yards have a 3-yard delivery minimum anyway, so if you need 1.5 yards you're paying for 3 either way. Take the extra and use it to top-dress later.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
✗ Using the wrong gravel type.
Fix: #57 for drainage, crusher run for compactable base, #8 for surfacing. Mixing these up causes failure.
✗ Going too shallow on driveways.
Fix: A 4-inch driveway will rut within 2 years. Build it once at 8 inches instead of rebuilding twice at 4.
✗ Not adding compaction allowance.
Fix: Crusher run loses 20 to 25% of its volume when properly compacted. Order 25% more than the finished depth.
✗ Skipping geotextile fabric.
Fix: A $40 layer of fabric under the gravel doubles the lifespan. Don't skip it on driveways.
✗ Not accounting for delivery minimums.
Fix: Most yards have a 3-yard minimum. If you need 1.5 yards, you're either paying for 3 or buying bags.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of gravel in a cubic yard?
What's the difference between #57 and crusher run?
Can a pickup truck haul a cubic yard of gravel?
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
Do I need fabric under gravel?
Tools you may need
Most of this is rentable. Buy fabric and edging once; rent the plate compactor unless you do landscaping often.
- Landscape rake. 30 in steel-tooth rake to spread and level gravel without dragging it into your soil.
- Round-point shovel. For moving piles and feathering edges. A flat shovel is fine for cleanup.
- Hand or plate tamper. Compact in 2 in lifts. Rent a plate compactor (~$60/day) for anything over a small parking pad.
- Landscape fabric. Non-woven geotextile under the base course. Stops the gravel from migrating into the soil and ruts forming.
- Edging (steel, plastic, or 4×4). Keeps gravel from spreading into your yard. Stake every ~3 ft.
- Wheelbarrow. 6 cu ft contractor barrow if you're moving gravel from a delivery pile to the work area.
Related guides
Where to buy your materials
We've linked to common products at Home Depot and Lowe's below. These are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no cost to you. We've used these specific products on projects ourselves. If your local independent yard has a better price, take it.
Bagged gravel (small jobs)
For top-up work under ~1 ton. Topcoat: Crushed stone (#57).
Affiliate links, same price for you, helps keep the calculators free.
Cost estimate
Rough material-only ranges for 11.4 tons covering 400 ft² (crushed stone (#57) topcoat). Doesn't include grading or tool rental.
Bulk delivery saves roughly $2,253 on this job after the delivery fee. Worth two phone calls to local stone yards.
Recommendation
Bulk delivery is the obvious choice
Above 5 tons, bulk strongly beats bagged, typically 4–6× cheaper per ton, and they place it where you want it.
Want bulk pricing from local yards?
Compare 2–3 local yard quotes for 11.4 tons.
Roughly $2,253 cheaper than bagged on a job this size. Fits in one tandem-axle truck (~15 ton capacity). Yards in the same metro vary 20–30%, worth two phone calls.
What to ask for on the call
- • 11.4 tons total, covering ~400 ft².
- • #57 crushed stone for the base course.
- • Price per ton, delivered (including dump fee).
- • Confirm truck access, gates, soft lawns, low branches.
More background: bulk vs bagged math and the driveway depth guide.
Want a printable version?
We'll email a one-page PDF summary of this page's math plus a calling script for local supply yards. Everything we know is right here on the page, the PDF just makes it portable.
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