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Gravel Driveway Calculator
A gravel driveway is built in lifts, not as one dump of stone. Enter the depth of each layer to get the total tonnage.
Over-excavation, spillage and uneven subgrade. 5-10% for formed work, 10-15% on rough ground.
Loose aggregate loses volume when it is rolled. Order the loose volume, not the finished volume.
Optional. Leave at zero to skip the cost estimate.
Material quantity estimate for planning and purchasing. Not structural engineering advice, not a bid, and not a code determination.
Three layers, three different stones
A driveway that lasts is built the way a road is built: coarse rock at the bottom to spread load and drain, dense-graded base in the middle to lock together, and a finer surface on top to drive on. One uniform dump of pea gravel gets you ruts by the second spring.
| Layer | Depth | Material | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-base | 4 in | #3 or #4 coarse stone, 1-2 in | Load spreading, drainage |
| Base | 4 in | #57 crushed stone, 3/4 in | Interlocking structure |
| Surface | 2 in | #411 / CA6 dense-graded | Smooth drivable wearing course |
How deep in total?
Ten to twelve inches over three lifts is the standard residential build. You can go lighter on firm, well-drained ground — 6-8 inches in two lifts — but on clay or anywhere that stays wet, more depth and a geotextile fabric under the sub-base is the difference between a driveway and an ongoing project. Fabric costs very little and stops the sub-base from being pumped down into soft subgrade under wheel load.
Compact each lift before the next goes on. A plate compactor is adequate for a residential drive; a vibratory roller is better and rents by the day.
Tonnage for typical driveways
At a 10 inch total build-up with a 20% compaction allowance:
| Driveway | Area | Loose yd³ | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 x 10 ft | 300 ft² | 11.1 | 15.0 |
| 50 x 12 ft | 600 ft² | 22.2 | 30.0 |
| 80 x 12 ft | 960 ft² | 35.6 | 48.0 |
| 100 x 14 ft | 1,400 ft² | 51.9 | 70.0 |
Common questions
How many tons of gravel for a 50 ft driveway?
A 50 x 12 ft drive at a 10 inch total build-up needs about 22.2 loose cubic yards with compaction allowed for, which is roughly 30 tons. That is two tri-axle loads.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
10-12 inches total in three compacted lifts for normal residential use. Six to eight inches works on firm, well-drained ground. On clay, add depth and put geotextile fabric under the sub-base.
What kind of gravel is best for a driveway?
Layers, not one type. Coarse #3 or #4 stone at the bottom, #57 crushed stone in the middle, and dense-graded #411 or CA6 on top. Avoid pea gravel and river rock as a surface — rounded stone does not interlock, so it migrates and ruts.