How Do I Calculate How Much Gravel I Need?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet), divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by your gravel’s density to get tons. Pea gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard; crushed stone about 1.35. A 20×10-foot area at 2 inches deep needs roughly 1.1 tons of pea gravel.
Gravel is sold by the ton or cubic yard. To convert between them, you need the density of your gravel type. Pea gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, while lighter materials like lava rock weigh closer to 1.1 tons per cubic yard.
Formula: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards. Then multiply by the density (tons per cubic yard) to get tons.
How Deep Should Gravel Be for a Driveway?
A durable gravel driveway needs 6–9 inches total: a 4–6 inch base course of larger crushed stone topped with 2–3 inches of compacted finish stone. A typical 20×10-foot driveway at 4 inches needs about 2.5 cubic yards or 3.4 tons.
- Driveways: 4-6 inches (base) + 2-3 inches (top layer)
- Walkways: 2-3 inches
- French drains: 6-12 inches
- Landscaping ground cover: 2-4 inches
- Patio base: 4-6 inches compacted
How Many Tons of Gravel Fit in a Dump Truck?
A standard dump truck carries 10–14 tons of gravel; a tandem axle holds 14–18 tons. For projects under 5 tons, many suppliers offer pickup or small delivery options.
Which Type of Gravel Should I Use?
Use crushed stone (#57) for driveways and bases — it compacts firmly. Pea gravel works for walkways and drainage. River rock is decorative but doesn’t compact. Decomposed granite creates natural-looking semi-firm paths.
Pea gravel(3/8") is ideal for walkways and drainage. Crushed stone (#57 stone) compacts well for driveways and bases. River rock(1-3") works for decorative landscaping but doesn't compact. Decomposed granite creates a natural-looking, semi-firm surface for paths.
How Much Gravel for a Driveway
A typical residential driveway is about 20 ft long by 10 ft wide. At a 4" top-course depth of compacted crushed stone, that works out to roughly 2.5 cubic yards or about 1.2 tons of gravel. If you're building up from bare dirt, plan on a 4–6" base course of larger crushed stone underneath the top course — that roughly doubles your material needs. Always order 5–10% extra for settling and compaction loss, especially over soft subgrades.
Gravel for French Drains
French drains use washed, rounded drainage rock so water can move freely around the perforated pipe without fines clogging the voids. #57 or #67 stone are the standard picks — both are clean-washed with minimal fines. A typical French drain trench is 6" wide by 18" deep, which needs about 0.3 cubic yards of rock per 10 linear feet after bedding the pipe. For sizing a specific run, use our drainage rock calculator — it accounts for pipe displacement and the filter-fabric wrap.
Related Calculators
- Concrete Calculator — Estimate cubic yards and bags for slabs and footings
- Drainage Rock Calculator — Size French drains, footing drains, and dry wells
- Sand Calculator— Calculate bedding and fill sand
Written by Daniel McCarney — AceCalc