How Much Gravel Do I Need for a Driveway?
A single-lane driveway 12 feet wide and 50 feet long needs about 8 cubic yards of gravel at 4 inches deep. That is roughly 11 tons.
Quick reference
This table shows cubic yards and tons for a range of driveway sizes, with 10 percent extra for waste and settling, and gravel at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Each cell reads cubic yards then tons.
| Size | Area (sq ft) | At 4 inches (yd / tons) | At 6 inches (yd / tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 ft by 25 ft | 300 | 4.1 / 5.7 | 6.1 / 8.6 |
| 12 ft by 50 ft | 600 | 8.1 / 11.4 | 12.2 / 17.1 |
| 12 ft by 100 ft | 1,200 | 16.3 / 22.8 | 24.4 / 34.2 |
| 20 ft by 50 ft | 1,000 | 13.6 / 19.0 | 20.4 / 28.5 |
| 20 ft by 100 ft | 2,000 | 27.2 / 38.0 | 40.7 / 57.0 |
These are example sizes. Measure your own and use the gravel calculator for the exact figure, including curves and turning areas.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Suppliers and paving guides commonly suggest a total depth of roughly 4 to 6 inches for a residential driveway, often laid in layers: a coarser base stone first, then a finer top layer. Soft or clay soil, wet ground and heavy vehicles all call for more. These are common starting points, not rules, so get advice that fits your ground and what will be driven on it.
Working out the amount
- Measure the length and width of the drive in feet. Split curves and turning areas into rectangles.
- Pick the depth in inches. If you are laying layers, work out each layer separately.
- Multiply length × width × (depth ÷ 12) to get cubic feet, and divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Add 5 to 10 percent for waste and settling. A compacted base may need more, so ask your supplier.
- Multiply cubic yards by the weight per yard to get tons if you are buying by weight.
For the 12 by 50 foot example at 4 inches: 12 × 50 = 600 square feet, times 4 ÷ 12 = 200 cubic feet, which is 7.41 cubic yards. With 10 percent extra it is 8.15 cubic yards, and at 1.4 tons per yard that is 11.4 tons.
Which stone to use
Angular crushed stone locks together when compacted, so it holds up better under tires than round stone. Round pea gravel tends to shift and spread under vehicles, so it is usually better for paths and decorative areas. Ask your supplier which grades they sell for driveways in your area.
Things that change the quantity
- Soft ground. Stone sinks into soft soil, so you may need a thicker layer or a fabric underneath.
- Existing stone. If there is already a layer, measure it and add only enough to reach the depth you want.
- Slope and drainage. A crowned or sloped surface needs more at the middle or low end.
- Edges. Without an edge, gravel spreads sideways over time and needs topping up.
Related
- Gravel calculator
- Crushed stone calculator
- How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh
- How to measure an area
Questions
How many tons of gravel do I need for a 100 foot driveway?
For a driveway 12 feet wide and 100 feet long at 4 inches deep, with 10 percent extra and gravel at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, you need about 16.3 cubic yards, or roughly 23 tons. At 6 inches deep it is about 50 percent more. Measure your own drive and use the calculator for an exact figure.
Do I need landscape fabric under a gravel driveway?
On soft or wet ground, a geotextile fabric between the soil and the stone is commonly used to stop the stone sinking and mixing with the soil. Whether you need one depends on your ground, so ask your supplier or installer.
Can I lay the gravel in layers?
Yes, and for driveways it is common. Work out each layer's depth separately and add the volumes together. A coarser base stone usually goes down first, then a finer top layer.