Gravel Driveway Calculator

Determine exact crushed stone tonnage, cubic yards, and dump truck loads for driveways, parking pads, and sub-bases.

Driveway Length (Feet)

Driveway Width (Feet)

Gravel Depth (Inches) 4.0 inches

2" (Top Dress) 4" (Standard) 6" (Heavy Base) 8"+ (Commercial)

Aggregate Type & Density

Compaction Allowance

Driveway Presets

Total Aggregate to Order

24.2 Tons

17.3 Cubic Yards (Compacted)

Tri-Axle Dump Trucks 2 Loads ~12 - 14 tons per load

Total Surface Area 1,200 sq ft Length × Width

Geotextile Fabric Warning: Never dump fresh gravel directly onto bare subsoil or clay. Without non-woven geotextile driveway fabric underneath, heavy vehicle tires push aggregate into the mud, destroying the driveway within 2 seasons.

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How to Calculate Gravel Tonnage for Driveways

Quarries and material yards sell bulk gravel by weight in short tons (2,000 lbs), while driveways are measured in volume (cubic yards).

Cubic Yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth inches) / 324
Tons = Cubic Yards × Density (tons/yd³) × Compaction Factor

When crusher run (crushed stone with stone dust fines) is compacted with a vibratory roller, inter-aggregate voids collapse, requiring 15% to 20% additional material to reach the target finished grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?

Standard crushed stone (#57 stone or gravel) weighs approximately 1.4 tons (2,800 lbs) per cubic yard. Dense-graded road base with stone dust weighs roughly 1.5 tons (3,000 lbs) per cubic yard.

How many tons can a standard dump truck haul?

A single-axle dump truck typically hauls 5 to 7 tons. A tandem dump truck hauls 10 to 12 tons, and a heavy tri-axle truck delivers 14 to 18 tons per load.

What is the best gravel size for a residential driveway?

The ideal 3-layer driveway consists of #3 coarse crushed stone (2" - 3") at the bottom, #57 stone (3/4") in the middle, and 3/4" crusher run or pea gravel on top for a locked, walkable surface.