Find out exactly how much gravel your driveway needs — in tons, cubic yards, bags, and estimated cost. Pick your gravel type and driveway depth below.
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Driveway depth:
2–4″ to top up, 6–8″ for a new driveway.
Sets the density used to convert volume → tons.
Recommended — gravel settles ~20% when driven on.
Typical delivered gravel runs ~$15–60 / ton.
You will need
Estimated gravel cost:
Bags assume 0.5 cu ft each. Tons are US (short) tons. Includes the 20% compaction allowance when ticked — always round up and confirm with your supplier.
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How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Work out the volume, then convert it to the unit your supplier sells in. The formula is simple:
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27. Multiply cubic yards by the gravel’s density to get tons. Most driveway gravel weighs about 1.4–1.5 tons per cubic yard, so a cubic yard is roughly 1.5 tons.
How deep should driveway gravel be?
Situation
Depth
Topping up / resurfacing an existing driveway
2 inches
Standard gravel layer
4 inches
New driveway on firm ground
6 inches
Soft or clay-heavy soil
8 inches (often in two layers)
Gravel densities used
Gravel type
Density (tons / cu yd)
Crushed stone (#57 / ¾″)
1.40
Road base / crusher run
1.50
Pea gravel
1.30
River rock
1.35
Crushed concrete
1.40
Densities are typical averages; actual weight varies by moisture and quarry. Use them as a close estimate.
Gravel driveway FAQs
How many tons of gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width × depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4 to get tons. For example, a 40 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 5.9 cubic yards, or roughly 8.3 tons of crushed stone (with a 20% compaction allowance).
How many cubic yards of gravel for a 2-car driveway?
A typical 2-car driveway is around 24 × 20 ft. At 4 inches deep that is about 7.1 cubic yards (≈10 tons of crushed stone, with a 20% compaction allowance). Use the calculator above with your exact size for a precise number.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Most driveway gravel weighs about 1.4–1.5 US tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel is a little lighter at about 1.3 tons per cubic yard.
Why add 20% for compaction?
Loose gravel settles roughly 15–20% once it’s driven on and compacted to its finished depth, so you need to buy that much extra. Leaving the “Add 20% for compaction” box ticked covers this plus minor spillage.
What is the best gravel for a driveway?
A compacted base of crushed stone or crusher run (angular stone that locks together) under a top layer of #57 stone is the most durable. Pea gravel looks nice but shifts under tires, so it suits paths better than driveways.