How Much Gravel Do I Need for a Driveway?
Quick answer: multiply area by depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by ~1.4–1.5 tons per cubic yard. A 10×20 driveway at 4 in deep needs ~3.7 tons. Here's the full method.
- Depth rules
- Tons per cubic yard
- Area to tons chart
- Worked example
- Layered driveways
- Common mistakes
Depth rules
A gravel driveway typically needs a compacted base plus a 4-inch top driving layer. On soft or clay soil, add a 3–4 in base layer of larger stone first, then the 4 in top. Total installed depth is usually 6–8 in across all layers. Measure depth before compacting — stone compacts down noticeably.
Tons per cubic yard
Gravel weighs roughly 1.4–1.5 tons per cubic yard (about 2,800–3,000 lb), depending on the size and whether it's washed or has fines. When you order, suppliers price by the ton, so convert your cubic yards to tons using that factor. A supplier's exact weight per yard varies — ask before ordering a full load.
Area to tons chart
| Driveway size | Sq ft | 4 in deep (tons) | 6 in deep (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×20 | 200 | ~3.7 | ~5.5 |
| 10×30 | 300 | ~5.5 | ~8.3 |
| 12×40 | 480 | ~8.8 | ~13.3 |
| 15×50 | 750 | ~13.9 | ~20.8 |
Multiply the sq ft by depth-in-feet, then by 1.45 tons/yd³ (÷ 27) to reproduce these numbers. Add 10% for settling and spills.
Worked example
A 10×20 ft driveway at 4 in deep:
- Volume = 200 sq ft × (4 ÷ 12) = 66.7 cu ft = 2.47 cu yd
- Tons = 2.47 × 1.45 ≈ 3.6 tons → order ~4 tons
- Add settling margin → 4–4.5 tons for the job
Round up to a supplier-friendly quantity — gravel loads come in fixed truck sizes, so ordering 4 tons is cleaner than 3.6.
Layered driveways
For a driveway that lasts, don't dump one stone type top-to-bottom. Lay larger base stone (2–4 in) first and compact it, then top with crushed stone with fines (like 3/4-in crusher run) that locks together. Separating layers prevents rutting and keeps the surface from shifting.
Common mistakes
- Too thin a layer. Under 3 in of gravel ruts quickly under vehicles.
- Not compacting. Loose stone settles and needs topping up in weeks.
- Mixing sizes. Round pea gravel doesn't lock and slides around.
- Forgetting settling margin. Order 10% more than the math says.
FAQ
Plan for about 4 inches of gravel as a driving layer, plus a compacted base below if your soil is soft. Total installed depth is typically 6–8 inches across all layers.
A 10×20 ft driveway (200 sq ft) at 4 in deep needs about 2.5 cubic yards, or roughly 3.7 tons of gravel. At 6 in deep, closer to 5.5 tons.
One ton of gravel covers roughly 80–100 sq ft at 2–3 inches deep, or about 55 sq ft at 4 inches deep. The exact number depends on gravel size and density.
Crushed stone with fines (like 3/4-inch minus / crusher run) compacts best and stays put. A layered driveway uses larger base stone, then smaller top stone.