This gravel driveway cost calculator will convert the square feet and depth of your project into the amount of cubic yards or tons of gravel or aggregate you will need, as well provide an estimated cost.
Read on for more information, or skip to the bottom for the calculator.
If you’re looking for the amount you’d need for smaller projects, visit our How Much Gravel Or Aggregate Calculator
How do I figure out how many tons of gravel I need?
To determine how many tons of gravel you need, you would first find out what the square footage of your project is by multiply the length by width. You would then multiply that answer by the depth (convert depth to feet first by dividing by 12), which provides the cubic feet of your driveway project.
To convert cubic feet to tons, divide the cubic feet of your project by 21.6.
One ton of gravel is roughly .79 cubic yards and would cover an 8 foot by 8 foot section at a depth of 4 inches.
5 tons of gravel would cover a 18 foot by 18 foot area at a depth of 4 inches. 10 tons of gravel would cover a 25.5 foot by 25.5 foot area at a depth of 4 inches.
How To Convert Cubic Feet Into Tons
If your supplier sells materials such as gravel and aggregate by the ton, you would calculate the tons needed by dividing cubic feet by 21.6 (the amount of cubic feet in a ton).
How Much Does A Cubic Yard Of Gravel Weigh
One cubic yard of gravel can weigh between 2,400 to 2,900 lbs. One U.S. ton equals 2000 pounds, so a cubic yard of gravel could weigh up to one and a half tons. On average there are .8 yards in a ton.
It’s important to note that some gravel and aggregate materials are much more compact than others (depending on stone size), so exact coverage can vary. Your supplier should be able to let you know the coverage per cubic yard or ton.
How Much Does A Cubic Yard Of Gravel Cover
Gravel coverage depends on the depth it is being applied.
One cubic yard covers approximately 144 square feet at a 4 inch depth.
Some Quick Gravel Driveway Basics
What’s the best size of gravel for a driveway?
There are a lot of crushed aggregate size and color options for a driveway. The best size gravel for a driveway is a minimum of 3/8″, which should be large enough to prevent gravel from lodging inside vehicle tire grooves. Smaller gravel sizes are better for sub-bases beneath larger gravel.
#57 aggregate or #57 crushed stone is typically used for driveways.
How many inches deep should a gravel driveway be?
At a minimum, a gravel driveway should be 4 inches deep but can be as deep as 12 inches for driveways that will carry heavier loads (farm or construction equipment) or where soil is loose or unstable.
It is recommended that a barrier such as landscape fabric or even tarps be placed over the soil before adding gravel. This helps reduce weeds but also helps prevent the gravel from shifting into the soil.
Gravel grids are also recommended for sloped driveways and unstable soil.
How wide should a driveway be?
A gravel driveway should be at least 10 feet wide. If you will be pulling a trailer or driving heavy equipment you will want the gravel driveway to be at least 12 feet wide, if not wider.
How much gravel do I need for a 2 car driveway?
According to Reference.com, the average single-car driveway is 10 feet wide by 20 feet long. The average double car driveway is 20 feet wide by 20 feet long.
The average one car driveway needs 2.47 cubic yards or 3.09 tons of gravel if it is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide and 4 inches deep.
Here are some examples of driveways with a width of 10 feet and a gravel depth of 4 inches:
A 50 foot driveway would need approximately 7.72 tons of gravel.
A 100 foot driveway would need approximately 15.43 tons of gravel.
A 150 foot driveway would need approximately 23.15 tons of gravel.
A 200 foot driveway would need approximately 30.86 tons gravel.
A 250 foot driveway would need approximately 38.58 tons gravel.
Driveway gravel prices: how much does a ton of gravel cost
Gravel costs by the ton vary by the size of the gravel, region and by supplier. Lighter, more natural looking tan crushed stone colors can be as much as double the cost of crushed gravel. The cost per ton usually does not include delivery fees. A ton of gravel can cost $8 to $40, depending on what type of gravel you opt to use.
If you know the price per ton of the gravel you will be ordering, you can enter the price in the calculator to have it included in your cost estimate.
*Be sure to check with your supplier when ordering for exact coverage amounts for the grade of gravel you are buying as different grades provide varying amounts of coverage.
