Gravel Driveway Calculator: How Much Gravel for a Driveway?
Enter driveway length, width, and depth to calculate tons of crusher run or #57 stone. Pre-set with 15% compaction allowance for driveways. Includes bulk vs bagged cost comparison.
Crusher run compacts down 15–25% from its loose volume — order too little and your finished depth will fall short. This calculator pre-loads the right defaults for a driveway and accounts for that compaction loss, so what you order is actually what ends up in the ground.
A gravel driveway is one of the most cost-effective and low-maintenance surfaces for residential and rural properties. The key to a long-lasting driveway is proper depth and the right material: a dense-grade base (crusher run) that compacts to a rigid layer, with an optional decorative surface course on top.
The calculator below defaults to crusher run at 4 in with a 15% compaction allowance — appropriate for a single-layer light-use driveway. For a two-layer driveway (base + surface), run the calculator twice: once for the base material and once for the surface material.
Project Dimensions
How the math works
Step 1 — volume in cubic yards
cu yd = (length_ft × width_ft × depth_in) ÷ 324 324 = 27 cu ft/yd × 12 in/ft. A canonical landscaping shortcut: multiply area by depth (in inches) and divide by 324.
Step 2 — apply waste / compaction allowance
cu yd (with waste) = cu yd × (1 + waste % ÷ 100) The waste allowance inflates both tonnage and bag count — you buy the waste-inclusive amount.
Step 3 — tons
tons = cu yd × density (ton/yd³) Material densities (US short tons per cubic yard): pea gravel 1.35, #57 stone 1.40, paver base 1.40, river rock 1.30, crusher run 1.40. Confirm exact weight with your supplier — density varies with moisture and stone source.
Step 4 — retail bags
bags = ⌈ cu yd × 54 ⌉ A standard 50 lb bag holds 0.5 cu ft. One cubic yard = 27 cu ft ÷ 0.5 = 54 bags.
Recommended driveway layer depths
- Light residential (foot traffic + occasional car): 4 in crusher run, compacted.
- Standard residential driveway: 4–6 in crusher run base + 2 in #57 surface.
- Heavy-use / RV / truck driveway: 6 in crusher run base + 3–4 in #57 + 2 in surface gravel.
Calculate each layer separately using the relevant material calculator: crusher run for the base, #57 stone for the mid layer. Add the tonnage totals for your purchase order.
Sources
- Inch Calculator — Gravel Calculator: crusher run density (1.40 ton/yd³) and compaction allowance guidance used in this calculator's defaults.
- Bob Vila — Gravel Driveway Cost Guide: driveway depth recommendations and layer count guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
A well-built gravel driveway has at least two layers: 4–6 in of compacted crusher run or #57 stone base, plus 2–4 in of surface gravel (pea gravel, pea-size crushed stone, or #57). Total depth is typically 6–10 in before compaction. Light-use driveways can get by with 4 in of crusher run alone.
For a 100 × 12 ft driveway at 4 in deep: (100 × 12 × 4) ÷ 324 ≈ 14.8 cu yd before waste. At 1.4 ton/yd³ (crusher run), that is about 20.7 tons. With a 15% compaction allowance you would order approximately 24 tons — that is two or three truckloads depending on haul size.
Crusher run (dense-grade) is the best base layer — its fines compact to a rigid, durable surface. For a top layer, #57 crushed stone (3/4") or pea gravel add drainage and aesthetics. Avoid river rock, which shifts dangerously under vehicles.
Compaction reduces the loose volume by 15–25%. A 15% waste allowance in the calculator ensures you order enough material so that after plate-compactor passes the finished layer reaches the target depth. For a three-layer driveway, calculate each layer separately.
A standard half-ton pickup (F-150, Silverado 1500) safely carries about 0.5 ton (1,000 lb) of gravel. A full-ton truck safely carries about 1 ton. Bulk delivery trucks typically deliver 10–20 tons per load — for any driveway project over 2–3 cu yd, bulk delivery is strongly recommended.