How Much Gravel Do I Need for a Driveway?
A single-car driveway takes about 5 cubic yards. Here's how to calculate the exact amount for any size.
A standard single-car gravel driveway — 10 feet wide by 40 feet long at 4 inches deep — needs about 4.9 cubic yards of crushed stone. That's roughly 6.7 tons of material.
Double-wide driveway? More like 7.9 cubic yards and 10.7 tons. That's a lot of rock.
The Formula
Same as any volume calculation:
Length × Width × Depth = Cubic Feet
Then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For weight, multiply cubic yards by the material density — crushed stone runs about 2,700 lbs per cubic yard (1.35 tons).
10 × 40 × 0.33 = 133 cubic feet
133 ÷ 27 = 4.9 cubic yards
4.9 × 1.35 = 6.7 tons
Common Driveway Sizes
| Driveway | Dimensions | Cubic Yards | Tons | |----------|-----------|-------------|------| | Short single | 10×20 ft, 4" deep | 2.5 | 3.3 | | Standard single | 10×40 ft, 4" deep | 4.9 | 6.7 | | Double wide | 16×40 ft, 4" deep | 7.9 | 10.7 | | Large double | 20×50 ft, 4" deep | 12.3 | 16.7 |
These assume 4 inches of depth. If your soil is soft or you get heavy traffic, go with 6 inches and multiply the tonnage by about 1.5.
What Type of Gravel
Not all gravel is the same. For driveways, you usually want a layered approach:
Base layer: 2–4 inches of larger crushed stone (#3 or #57 stone). This is the structural layer that handles the weight and drainage. Compact it before adding the top layer.
Top layer: 2 inches of finer crusher run or #8 stone. This packs down tight and gives you a smooth driving surface.
Pea gravel looks nice but makes a terrible driveway — it shifts under tires and kicks out to the sides. Stick with angular crushed stone that locks together when compacted.
What It Costs
Bulk crushed stone runs $40–$60 per ton delivered in most areas. For a standard single-car driveway at 6.7 tons, expect to pay $267–$400 for materials.
Delivery is sometimes included in the per-ton price, sometimes not. Ask before you order. A dump truck delivery fee runs $50–$100 on top if it's charged separately.
Buying bags at Home Depot? A 0.5 cubic foot bag costs about $4–$6. You'd need around 267 bags for a single-car driveway — that's over $1,000 and dozens of trips. Bulk wins by a mile on anything bigger than a small path.
How Deep Should It Be
4 inches minimum. 6 inches is better for driveways. Here's the depth guide:
- Walkways and paths: 2–3 inches
- Patios and sitting areas: 3–4 inches
- Driveways (light traffic): 4 inches
- Driveways (heavy traffic or soft soil): 6–8 inches
- Drainage and French drains: 12+ inches
Going from 4 inches to 6 inches on a 10×40 driveway adds about 3.3 more tons. That's $130–$200 extra — cheap insurance for a driveway that won't develop ruts after the first winter.
Don't Forget Settling
Fresh gravel settles 10–15% after the first few months, especially once it rains and gets driven on. Order at least 10% extra. On a 6.7 ton order, that means rounding up to about 7.5 tons. Your supplier won't blink at that — they deal in half-ton increments anyway.
Use our gravel calculator to get exact tonnage for your specific driveway dimensions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
- A standard 200-foot driveway (10 ft wide) with a 6-inch gravel base needs about 37 tons or 25 cubic yards. Most driveways use a 4–6 inch compacted base layer. The exact amount depends on your soil: soft or sandy soil needs more base depth for stability.
- How deep should gravel be on a driveway?
- Four to six inches of compacted gravel is the minimum for a residential driveway. Heavy vehicles or soft soil may warrant 6–8 inches. Many contractors recommend a two-layer approach: 4 inches of crusher run as a base, topped with 2–3 inches of pea gravel or crushed stone surface material.
- What type of gravel is best for driveways?
- Crusher run (processed gravel with fines) is the most popular base material — it compacts well and locks together. For the surface, 3/4-inch crushed stone or pea gravel provides good drainage and looks clean. Avoid round river rock for driveways; it shifts underfoot and under tires.
- How many tons of gravel per linear foot of driveway?
- A 10-foot-wide driveway with 4 inches of gravel uses about 0.12 tons per linear foot. At 6 inches deep, that's about 0.19 tons per linear foot. For a 200-foot driveway, that's 24–38 tons depending on depth.
- Does gravel settle after delivery?
- Yes — expect 10–15% settling over the first few months as rain packs it down and vehicles travel over it. Always order at least 10% extra. Your supplier typically sells in half-ton or full-ton increments, so round up accordingly.