Quantity · Gravel driveway
Gravel Driveway Calculator
Size a gravel driveway the way it is built: a compacted base course plus a surface course. Pick a driveway type for typical width and section, or enter custom dimensions. For a generic pad or path (single depth, any material), use the general gravel calculator.
Driveway footprint
Common 12 ft wide bay to a garage — light vehicles.
Section (compacted)
Total compacted depth: 6". Set a course to 0 if you only need one layer.
Driveways, bases, and general fill — densest common option. Density 1.35–1.45 ton/cy.
Cubic yards to order (combined)
9.34cu yd
12.6–13.5 tons (Crushed stone / gravel)
- Footprint
- 480 sq ft
- Total depth
- 6"
- Base course
- 6.23 cy
- Surface course
- 3.12 cy
- Tons (band)
- 12.6–13.5
- Waste
- 5%
Combined order is one truck ticket for the full section. Fabric, timber edging, and delivery minimums are not included — cost page next.
- Area = length × width
- Each course: cy = area × depth_in / 12 / 27
- Combined = base + surface (or total depth in one pass)
Price data updated . National US ranges from published supplier and contractor averages. Not a bid. Local quotes vary.
How gravel driveway quantity is calculated
Footprint is length × width. Each course uses the same yards formula as bulk gravel. The combined order uses total compacted depth so you can buy one truckload. Tons follow crushed-stone density unless you switch material.
area = length_ft × width_ft base_cy = area × (base_in / 12) / 27 surface_cy = area × (surface_in / 12) / 27 combined_cy = area × ((base_in + surface_in) / 12) / 27 order_cy = combined_cy × (1 + waste %) tons = order_cy × tons_per_cy
Worked example. A 40 × 12 ft single-car drive with 4" base + 2" surface (6" total): area 480 sq ft → combined 8.89 cy raw. With 5% waste → 9.33 cy. At 1.40 ton/cy → about 13.1 tons of crushed stone.
Driveway section by type (planning)
This section table is what separates the driveway calculator from the general gravel tool. Depths are compacted inches — order a little extra for rolling.
| Driveway type | Typical width | Base | Surface | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-car (short) | 10–12 ft | 4" | 2" | 6" |
| Double-car | 18–24 ft | 4" | 2" | 6" |
| Long / rural run | 10–12 ft | 4" | 2" | 6" |
| Heavy vehicles | 12+ ft | 6" | 2" | 8" |
| Resurface only | existing | 0" | 2" | 2" |
- Soft clay or poor drainage may need a thicker base or fabric — not modeled here.
- Geotextile, timber edging, and delivery fees are separate from volume.
Example combined orders (crushed stone, 5% waste)
Quick check numbers at 1.40 ton/cy typical. Your calculator result updates live when you change size or section.
| Example | Sq ft | Section | Cu yd | Tons ~ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 × 12 single | 480 | 4"+2" | 9.3 | 13 |
| 40 × 20 double | 800 | 4"+2" | 15.6 | 22 |
| 100 × 12 rural | 1,200 | 4"+2" | 23.3 | 33 |
| 50 × 12 heavy | 600 | 6"+2" | 15.6 | 22 |
Gravel Driveway calculator FAQ
- How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
- Multiply length × width × total compacted depth (in feet), divide by 27 for cubic yards, then add waste. This calculator splits base and surface so you can match a two-course section.
- What is the difference from the regular gravel calculator?
- The general tool is one depth for any rectangle. This page is driveway-specific: type presets, base + surface courses, and a section reference table.
- How deep should a gravel driveway be?
- A common light-vehicle section is about 4" base plus 2" surface (6" total). Heavy trucks often want a 6" base. Resurfacing an existing solid base may only need ~2" on top.
- Do I order base and surface separately?
- Sometimes — different stone sizes for each course. The combined total is what most DIY orders use when the quarry delivers one product for the full depth.
- Yards or tons?
- Toggle the primary result. Quarries often sell by the ton; the density band converts yards for you.
- Does this include cost?
- No — quantity only. Use the gravel driveway cost calculator for delivered stone, install, fabric, and related line items.
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Gravel driveway cost · General gravel calculator · Concrete driveway cost · All gravel calculators