Gravel Driveway Calculator
Quickly estimate cubic yards, tons and cost for your gravel driveway — with built-in density presets and waste allowance.
Your Gravel Estimate
Enter your driveway dimensions and click “Calculate” to see your estimate.
Example Calculation
For a 30 ft × 12 ft driveway at 6 in depth:
- Volume: ~6.67 cubic yards
- Weight: ~9.0 tons (Crushed Stone)
- Cost: ~$400 (at $60 per cubic yard)
We recommend ordering ~10% extra to allow for compaction and waste.
How to Use This Calculator
Our gravel driveway calculator helps you estimate how much material you’ll need for your project. Simply enter the length, width, and depth of your planned driveway, and the calculator will provide volume, weight, and cost estimates.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Measure your driveway area: Measure the length and width in feet, yards, or meters. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles and calculate each separately.
- Determine the depth: For resurfacing an existing driveway, 4-6 inches is typical. For a new driveway, you’ll need 12-18 inches with proper base layers.
- Select material type: Choose from our presets or enter a custom density if you know your material’s specific weight.
- Adjust advanced options: Set waste factor (we recommend 10%) and consider compression adjustment for materials that compact significantly.
- Review results: The calculator provides volume in cubic yards and cubic meters, weight in tons and tonnes, and cost if you enter a price.
Typical Gravel Depth & Layers
Proper driveway construction requires multiple layers for stability and drainage:
- Base layer (6-8 inches): Large crushed stone (1.5-2 inches) for stability
- Middle layer (4-6 inches): Smaller gravel (0.75-1 inch) for compaction
- Surface layer (2-4 inches): Finer gravel or crushed stone for smooth driving surface
For simple resurfacing of an existing stable base, 4-6 inches of new gravel is typically sufficient.
Why Order Extra Material
We recommend ordering 10-15% more gravel than your calculated volume for several reasons:
- Compaction: Gravel compacts when driven on, reducing volume
- Waste: Some material is lost during transport and installation
- Uneven surfaces: Real-world surfaces often require more material than calculated for flat areas
- Future repairs: Having extra material allows for spot repairs without ordering small quantities
Gravel Material Comparison
| Material Type | Density (kg/m³) | Typical Use | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed Stone | 1,760 | Driveway base & surface | Excellent compaction, durable | Can be sharp, not comfortable for walking |
| Pea Gravel | 1,600 | Decorative surfaces | Smooth, attractive, comfortable for walking | Poor compaction, shifts under vehicle weight |
| River Rock | 1,820 | Landscaping, drainage | Natural appearance, good for drainage | Poor compaction, expensive |
| Crusher Run | 1,900 | Driveway base | Excellent compaction, contains fines that bind | Can create dust, not for surface layer |
| Limestone | 1,840 | Driveway surface | Attractive light color, compacts well | Can break down over time in acidic conditions |
Frequently Asked Questions
For resurfacing an existing driveway with a stable base, 4-6 inches is typically sufficient. For a new driveway installation, you’ll need 12-18 inches with proper base layers including larger stone for the base (6-8 inches), medium gravel for the middle layer (4-6 inches), and finer gravel for the surface (2-4 inches).
The weight of a cubic yard of gravel varies by material type but typically ranges from 1.2 to 1.5 tons. Our calculator uses recommended densities for different materials: Crushed Stone (~1.15 tons/cu yd), Pea Gravel (~1.05 tons/cu yd), River Rock (~1.20 tons/cu yd), Crusher Run (~1.25 tons/cu yd), and Limestone (~1.21 tons/cu yd).
Yes, we recommend ordering 10-15% extra material to account for compaction, waste during installation, and uneven surfaces. Gravel compacts when driven on, reducing its volume. Having extra material also allows for future repairs without needing to order small quantities.
Yes, this calculator works for any rectangular gravel area. You can use it for pathways, patios, garden beds, or French drain installations. Just adjust the depth according to your project needs – for example, pathways typically need 2-4 inches, while French drains may require 12+ inches of gravel.
For irregularly shaped areas, break the space into multiple rectangles, calculate each separately, then sum the results. For circular areas, use the formula: Area = π × radius² (with radius = diameter/2). For triangular areas, use: Area = 0.5 × base × height.
No, the cost estimate provided by the calculator is for material only. Delivery charges, labor costs, equipment rental, and any additional materials (like landscape fabric) are not included. Contact local suppliers for delivery costs, which typically range from $50-$150 depending on distance and quantity.