Calculating Gravel Amounts for your Driveway (2024)

FAQs

Calculating Gravel Amounts for your Driveway? ›

Measuring the Driveway

The formula to find volume is length × width × depth. Multiply the width by the length by the depth in yards to find the cubic yards of gravel needed. Round up to the nearest full yard for 7 cubic yards of each type of gravel used. You will need to take this step for each layer if you are creating a new driveway.

As a general guide, one ton of gravel typically covers approximately: 100 square feet at a 2-inch depth. 80 square feet at a 3-inch depth. 60 square feet at a 4-inch depth.

The total depth of a gravel driveway should be 12 to 18 inches thick. Each layer should be four to six inches thick—three layers are best for durability and longevity.

One bag of gravel will typically cover 0.5 cubic feet, while a ton of pea gravel covers an area of 100 square feet at 2 inches deep.

Gravel should be a minimum of 4-inches deep. The smaller the gravel, the more even the coverage will be. If rocks are on the larger side, allow for an additional 1/2 inch.

Using 2 inches for the depth, the following measurements are a guide to the amount of gravel coverage per ton: 1/4 to 1/2 inch gravel, 100 square feet per ton; 1/2 to 1 inch gravel, 90 square feet per ton; and 1 1/2 to 2 inches gravel, 80 square feet per ton. And so on in proportion: double the depth, halve the area.

Pea gravel, crushed granite and steel slag are some of the cheapest gravel options for driveways.

You can even lay more than 3 inches, just be careful not to go too deep or the gravel will inevitably become loose and start to spread.

Before the first layer of gravel is delivered, level the path of the driveway. You can do this by hand or with a backhoe. Also, we recommend laying down a weed barrier to prevent grass from growing through your driveway.

What is the cheapest way to do a driveway? ›

Generally, gravel is the cheapest material, with resin and concrete being the most expensive.

amount of gravel = length × width × depth. gravel weight = amount of gravel × crushed stone weight.

Typically, larger dump trucks can carry about 28,000 pounds or about 14 tons. On average, smaller dump trucks can transport around 13,000 to 15,000 pounds or 6.5 to 7.5 tons. What is a Cubic Yard? “Cubic yards” are also used to measure the carrying capacity of dump trucks, as well as pounds and tons.

Calculate the cost of a gravel driveway by multiplying the width times the length of your area. Next, multiply this number by anywhere between $1 and $3 to find the square footage cost for materials and labor. Bet on the higher range if you need several layers of gravel or if you opt for a higher-end stone variety.

The following measurements are a general guide to the amount of gravel coverage per cubic yard 1 cubic yard = 3” depth for 100 square feet. If you're still not sure or want to get the most accurate measurement possible, you can opt to use a gravel calculator.

Gravel driveways cost significantly less than asphalt or concrete, making them ideal for low-budget and large-scale projects. Gravel driveways typically go for $1.25 to $1.80 per square foot, while concrete driveways cost an average of $4 to $15 per square foot.