Guide

How Much Gravel for a Driveway

Work out how much gravel a driveway needs by area and depth, in cubic yards and tons.

A gravel driveway is one of the most common bulk material jobs, and the amount depends on area and depth.

Pick a depth

For a fresh top layer over an existing base, 3 to 4 inches is typical. A full build from bare ground uses a deeper sub base of crusher run topped with a finer stone, often 6 inches or more in total.

Work out the volume

Multiply length by width by depth, then convert to cubic yards by dividing cubic feet by 27. A 20 by 30 foot driveway at 4 inches is about 7.4 cubic yards, roughly 10 tons of crushed gravel.

Order by the ton

Suppliers usually sell by weight, so confirm the density of your chosen stone to convert cubic yards to tons accurately.

See pre-calculated sizes. driveway gravel sizes →

Common questions

How much gravel for a 20 by 30 driveway?

At 4 inches deep, about 7.4 cubic yards, roughly 10 tons of crushed gravel.

How deep should driveway gravel be?

Three to four inches for a top layer, more for a full build with a sub base.
Knowledge Base

Estimating Guides & Reference

Plain-language guides on measuring, coverage and how much extra to buy, written for DIYers and trades.

Measuring & Estimating
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