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Gravel Driveway Calculator

Calculate how much gravel you need for your driveway in cubic yards and tons. Estimate material costs for new driveways or top-up refreshes.

Driveway Details

Quick:

#2 Stone (1-3")

#57 Stone (3/4-1")

#8 or Pea Gravel

Total Depth: 14 inches

$

Typical range: $25-$50 per ton

Total Gravel Needed

—

US Tons

Enter dimensions to calculate

🚚 Delivery Reference

• Pickup truck: ~1 cubic yard

• Small dump truck: 8-10 tons

• Large dump truck: 13-25 tons

What is a Gravel Driveway?

A gravel driveway is a cost-effective and durable surface made of loose stone aggregate. Properly constructed gravel driveways consist of multiple layers: a large stone base for stability, a middle layer for drainage, and a fine surface layer for a smooth finish.

Gravel driveways typically cost $1-3 per square foot compared to $3-10 for asphalt or $8-18 for concrete. With proper maintenance, they can last 50-100 years, making them an excellent choice for rural properties and budget-conscious homeowners.

How to Calculate Gravel for a Driveway

Volume (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft)
Cubic Yards = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27
Tons = Cubic Yards × Density (typically 1.4)

Example Calculation:

Driveway: 100 ft long × 12 ft wide × 12" deep

Volume: 100 × 12 × 1 = 1,200 cubic feet

Cubic Yards: 1,200 ÷ 27 = 44.4 cubic yards

Tons Needed: 44.4 × 1.4 = 62.2 tons

Recommended Gravel Depths

Use CaseBaseMiddleSurfaceTotal
Light Traffic (cars only)4-6"4"4"12-14"
Standard Residential6"4-6"4"14-16"
Heavy Traffic (trucks)6-8"6"4-6"16-20"
Top-up / Refresh——2-4"2-4"

💡 Pro Tips

  • ✓Order 10% extra gravel for spillage and settling
  • ✓Install landscape fabric to prevent weeds
  • ✓Crown the center 2-3" higher for drainage
  • ✓Compact each layer before adding the next
  • ✓Edge the driveway to keep gravel contained

🪨 Gravel Size Guide

  • • #2 Stone: 1-3" for base
  • • #57 Stone: 3/4-1" for middle
  • • #8 Stone: 3/8-1/2" for surface
  • • Pea Gravel: 3/8" decorative
  • • Crusher Run: Mixed, all-purpose

Frequently Asked Questions

To calculate gravel for a driveway: 1) Measure length and width in feet, 2) Determine the depth needed (typically 12-18 inches for new driveways), 3) Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, 4) Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards, 5) Multiply by gravel density (about 1.4 tons/yd³) to get tons needed. For a layered driveway, calculate each layer separately.

A 1000 square foot gravel driveway (e.g., 100 ft × 10 ft) at 12 inches deep would require approximately 37 cubic yards or 52 tons of gravel. At $35-$50 per ton, the material cost alone would be $1,820-$2,600. Including labor and delivery, total costs typically range from $3,000-$5,000 for professional installation.

One ton of gravel covers approximately 80-100 square feet at 2 inches deep, 50-60 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 40-50 square feet at 4 inches deep. Coverage varies based on gravel size and compaction. Larger gravel covers slightly less area than smaller, fine gravel.

A standard dump truck holds 13-25 tons of gravel. At $35-$50 per ton for material plus $50-$150 delivery fee, a full dump truck load costs approximately $500-$1,400. Smaller trucks (10-13 tons) cost $400-$800. Always get quotes from multiple local suppliers for the best price.

For residential driveways with light vehicle traffic, a total depth of 12 inches (3 layers of 4 inches each) is recommended. For heavier use, 18 inches is better. The base layer should use large stone (#2), middle layer medium stone (#57), and top layer smaller stone (#8) or pea gravel for a stable, well-draining surface.