Driveway Gravel Calculator — How Much Gravel for a Driveway?
Pre-set for a 4-inch crusher-run surface (≈1.6 tons/yd³). Enter your driveway's length and width — then re-run at 8 or 12 inches if you're building the full base from bare ground.
Gravel calculator
Density shown is an industry-typical value and varies by supplier — confirm before ordering.
You need
Includes +10% extra
36.0
cubic feet
1.33
cubic yards
1.87
tons (2,000 lb)
72
bags (0.5 cu ft)
≈ 0.76 m³
Estimated cost: $0.00 (at $0/ton)
Order 5–10% extra for compaction and settling — loose gravel always settles to less volume after compaction.
How much gravel does a driveway need? A 4-inch compacted surface on a 12 ft × 50 ft driveway takes about 7.4 cubic yards — nearly 12 tons of crusher run. New driveways on bare ground need more: an 8–12 inch total build-up of sub-base stone plus surface. Calculate each layer at its own depth with the tool above, then add 5–10% for compaction.
Driveway gravel depth: the 4-inch rule and when to go deeper
Plan 4 inches of compacted surface gravel for a driveway over sound subgrade — and 8–12 inches of total stone when starting from bare or soft ground. The four-inch figure assumes the ground beneath is already firm and draining; it is a surface, not a foundation. The layered build-up for a new residential drive:
- Sub-base — 4–6 inches of large stone (#3 or #4, roughly 1–2½ inches), compacted; bridges soft spots and lets water move.
- Base — 3–4 inches of crusher run or #411, compacted in one or two lifts.
- Surface — 2–4 inches of crusher run, or a clean-wearing topping if you prefer the look.
Run the calculator once per layer and sum the tonnages — a single depth entry can't price a layered build. Crown or slope the finished surface about 1/4 inch per foot so water leaves rather than pools.
Which gravel to use on a driveway
Compactable blends — crusher run, #411, QP, DGA — make the longest-lasting driveway surfaces because the fines lock the layer nearly solid. Clean #57 drains better but stays loose; it belongs mid-stack, not on top.
- Crusher run / #411 (≈1.5–1.6 t/yd³) — the default choice for base and surface; cheapest solid result.
- #57 (≈1.4 t/yd³) — mid-stack for drainage, or a crisp wear course if you accept some scatter.
- Recycled concrete — where offered, prices below virgin stone and compacts similarly.
- What not to use: pea gravel and river rock roll under tires; lava rock crushes outright.
Building it right: steps that decide longevity
Preparation, not tonnage, separates a decade-long gravel driveway from a rutted one.
- Strip topsoil and organic material; the drive sits on subgrade, not loam.
- Geotextile fabric on soft ground keeps stone from punching into clay over the years.
- Compact each layer in lifts no thicker than 3–4 inches — a rented plate compactor is the best money on the job.
- Crown the surface (~1/4″ per foot) or grade to one side; re-grade after the first season.
Maintenance afterwards is light: re-grade potholes early, keep edges contained, and top up with 1–2 inches of fresh crusher run every few years as the surface thins.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should gravel be on a driveway?
A residential driveway typically needs 4 inches of compacted surface gravel over a sub-base. New driveways on bare ground often total 8–12 inches including larger sub-base stone, installed in compacted lifts.
What is the best gravel for a driveway?
Compactable blends — crusher run, #411 or dense grade aggregate — make the longest-lasting surfaces because they lock together. Plain #57 drains well as a middle layer but stays loose and tracks as a top course.
How do I calculate driveway gravel in tons?
Multiply length × width in feet, divide by 9 for square yards of coverage per lift, or enter dimensions in the calculator above with a 4-inch depth. Multiply cubic yards by about 1.5–1.6 for crusher run to get tons.