How Much Gravel Do You Need for a Driveway?
A gravel driveway estimate comes down to three numbers: the area you are covering, the depth of each layer, and the weight of the stone per cubic yard. Get those right and you can order within a few percent of what you actually need. Get the depth wrong and you will either pay for a second delivery or leave a pile in the yard.
This guide walks through the method, gives typical layer depths, and works a full example in both US and metric units.
Step 1: Measure the area
Measure the driveway in feet and break it into simple shapes.
- Rectangles: length × width.
- Circles (turnarounds): π × radius². A 30 ft diameter turnaround is 3.1416 × 15 × 15 ≈ 707 ft².
- Triangles (flared entrances): ½ × base × height.
Add the pieces together. Measure the width at several points; driveways are rarely as straight as they look, and an extra foot of width over 60 ft adds 60 ft² of area.
Step 2: Decide the depth of each layer
Depth matters more than anything else in this calculation. The right depth depends on whether you are building a new driveway or topping up an existing one.
| Job | Typical total depth | Common layer build-up |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh an existing, firm driveway | 2–3 in (5–8 cm) | One top layer of #57 or crushed stone with fines |
| New driveway on firm, well-drained soil | 6–8 in (15–20 cm) | 4 in base (crusher run or #3) + 2–4 in top |
| New driveway on soft or clay soil | 10–12 in (25–30 cm) | 4–6 in #3 stone + 4 in #57 + 2 in crusher run top, often over geotextile fabric |
These are widely used rules of thumb, not engineering specifications. If your site has standing water, heavy trucks, or a steep slope, a local contractor or your aggregate supplier can tell you what holds up in your soil.
For more on what each stone type does, see our guide to gravel types, sizes and base depth.
Step 3: Convert area and depth to cubic yards
Gravel is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. Start with volume:
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Dividing by 12 turns inches into feet; dividing by 27 turns cubic feet into cubic yards (1 yd³ = 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 ft³).
In metric: cubic metres = length (m) × width (m) × depth (m). One cubic yard is 0.765 m³.
Step 4: Convert cubic yards to tons
Most quarries sell by weight. A common planning figure for crushed stone and gravel is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, with a typical range of roughly 1.3 to 1.5 depending on the stone and how much fine material it contains. Dense-graded mixes like crusher run sit at the heavier end. Your supplier’s figure for their specific product always beats a general rule.
Tons = cubic yards × 1.4
In metric, 1.4 US tons per cubic yard is about 1.66 metric tonnes per cubic metre. Our cubic yards to tons guide explains the conversion in more detail.
Worked example: new 60 × 12 ft driveway
A single-car driveway, 60 ft long and 12 ft wide, on average soil. Plan: 4 in of #3 stone base, 4 in of #57 middle layer, 2 in of crusher run on top.
Area: 60 × 12 = 720 ft² (18.3 m × 3.66 m ≈ 66.9 m²).
| Layer | Depth | Cubic yards | + 10% compaction/grading | Tons at 1.4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3 base | 4 in (10 cm) | 720 × 4 ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 8.89 | 9.78 | 13.7 |
| #57 middle | 4 in (10 cm) | 8.89 | 9.78 | 13.7 |
| Crusher run top | 2 in (5 cm) | 4.44 | 4.89 | 6.8 |
| Total | 10 in (25 cm) | 22.2 | 24.4 | 34.2 |
In metric, 24.4 yd³ is about 18.7 m³, or roughly 31 metric tonnes.
The 10% allowance covers compaction (loose stone settles when rolled or driven on), uneven subgrade, and stone pushed into soft soil. Dense-graded materials like crusher run compact the most; some contractors add 15% or more for a thick crusher run base.
Worked example: resurfacing the same driveway
If the base is sound and you only need a fresh 2 in top layer of #57:
720 × 2 ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 4.44 yd³ → about 4.9 yd³ with 10% extra → about 6.8 tons.
That is a fifth of the stone the new build needed, which is why it pays to dig a test hole and check what is already there before ordering.
Coverage at a glance
How far one ton reaches at common depths, using 1.4 tons per cubic yard:
| Depth | ft² per cubic yard | ft² per ton (approx.) | m² per tonne (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in (5 cm) | 162 | 116 | 11.9 |
| 3 in (7.5 cm) | 108 | 77 | 7.9 |
| 4 in (10 cm) | 81 | 58 | 6.0 |
| 6 in (15 cm) | 54 | 39 | 4.0 |
Common mistakes
- Using total depth for a single product. A 10 in driveway is usually two or three different stones. Calculate and order each layer separately.
- Ignoring compaction. Loose depth is not finished depth. A 4 in loose lift of crusher run will be noticeably thinner after rolling.
- Forgetting the edges. Without edging or a slightly wider base, stone migrates into the lawn. Many builders extend the base 6–12 in past the finished width.
- Skipping drainage. Gravel over a low spot becomes a puddle with stones in it. Crown the surface slightly so water runs off to the sides.
- Mixing up short tons and metric tonnes. A US ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 1,000 kg (about 2,205 lb). Confirm which unit your supplier quotes.
- Rounding down. A second small delivery usually costs more than a small surplus. Round up to the supplier’s minimum increment.
Run your own numbers
Plug your length, width, depth and stone density into the gravel calculator to get cubic yards, tons and metric equivalents for each layer in one step. Run it once per layer, then add the results.
FAQ
How many tons of gravel do I need for a 100 ft driveway?
It depends on width and depth. A 100 × 12 ft driveway is 1,200 ft². At 4 in deep that is 14.8 yd³, or about 20.7 tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, before any compaction allowance. At 2 in it is half that.
What is the best gravel for the top of a driveway?
Angular crushed stone holds together better than rounded stone. Crusher run (crushed stone with fines) packs into a firm surface; #57 drains well but stays looser. Rounded pea gravel is comfortable to walk on but shifts under tires, so it is usually a poor driveway surface.
Do I need landscape fabric under a gravel driveway?
It is not always required, but a woven geotextile helps on soft or clay soils by keeping the stone from sinking into the subgrade. On firm, well-drained ground many driveways are built without it.
Should I order a little extra gravel?
Yes. Ordering about 10% extra covers compaction and uneven ground. Leftover stone is useful for filling ruts later.