Gravel | Construction and Driveway Gravel (2024)

FAQs

How to figure how much gravel is needed for a driveway? ›

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.

What kind of gravel do I need for my driveway? #57s or Crusher Run are the two most common and best options for driveway gravel. 57 Gravel is made of gravel alone and is the best option for most driveways because it is composed of long-lasting gravel. Crusher run is a blend of gravel and sand.

Gravel occurs naturally on Earth as a result of sedimentary and erosive geological processes; it is also produced in large quantities commercially as crushed stone.

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 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.

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

The ideal depth of gravel varies depending on the application, but a minimum of 2-4 inches of gravel is a workable baseline. Multiplying the area to be covered by the desired depth yields the volume of gravel you will need.

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.

If the driveway regularly has vehicles driving on and off it, a size of between 14mm and 20mm is often recommended. Anything smaller can get caught in the tyre treads of the car. Stones bigger than 20mm or more can be tricky to walk on and are more liable to shift and move following vehicle impact.

Are gravel driveways cheap? ›

Yes. Gravel is a far cheaper way of creating a driveway than laying paving slabs.

Different from concrete driveways, gravel driveways do not require channel drain. Instead the solution is to lay some land drain or twinwall underneath the gravel in a French drain system and redirect the water to a suitable outlet.

The two most effective methods for stabilizing pea gravel are cement and permeable pavers. If you're stabilizing pea gravel with cement, it will hold for a while until it's eventually damaged by traffic and water exposure.

Small batches of soft rocks such as sandstone and caliche can be roughly broken up by a hydraulic breaker attached to an excavator. If the rocks are harder (granite and basalt) they will require more crushing power. A compact jaw crusher will be necessary for this job.

Water moves through gravel a lot faster than it does through the majority of soil and other materials. Since the drainage process is expedited when gravel is used at the base of the water body, puddles and wet areas are able to dry out quickly instead of pooling up on top of soil and other land materials.

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.

For Example: To determine how much gravel you'd need for a 10-foot-by-10-foot patio layout with 2-1/2 inches of gravel, you'd perform the following calculation: 2-1/2 inches x 120 inches x 120 inches = 36,000 cubic inches.

To calculate square footage, you must

Measure the length of your driveway in linear feet. Measure the width of your driveway in linear feet. Multiply the length x width to calculate the total square footage of your driveway.