Ever wonder how many tons of gravel it takes to cover a driveway? It's more than you'd guess. Enter your driveway dimensions and depth to get both cubic yards and tonnage for ordering.
Driveway Dimensions
ft
ft
Gravel Depth
in
Scenario: Your driveway is 40 ft long, 12 ft wide, and you want 4 inches of gravel.
Result: Volume: 40 x 12 x 4/12 = 160 cu ft = 5.9 cubic yards. Weight: about 8.3 tons. Order 9 tons to account for compaction and settling.
Measure length x width in feet, multiply by depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by 1.4 for approximate tons. A typical 40x12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 6 cubic yards or 8-9 tons.
Use a minimum of 4 inches for light vehicle traffic. For heavy use or soft soil, go 6-8 inches. Apply in layers: 4 inches of #3 or #57 stone as a base, topped with 2 inches of #8 or crusher run for a smooth driving surface.
A standard single-axle dump truck carries about 5-6 tons. A tandem axle carries 12-15 tons. A tri-axle can haul 20-25 tons. Ask your supplier about truck capacity when scheduling delivery.
Use #3 or #57 stone (1-2 inch pieces) for the base layer. Top with crusher run (also called #411 or QP), which is a mix of crushed stone and stone dust that packs down into a firm surface. Avoid round pea gravel -- it doesn't compact and shifts under tires.
Want to learn more before you start your project?
Read the full guide →
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