Gravel Types for Driveways
The right gravel depends on whether you're laying a base layer, surface layer, or both. Most gravel driveways use a two-layer or three-layer approach.
| Gravel Type | Size | Best For | Cost per Yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road base / Class 5 | ¾" minus (with fines) | Bottom layer — packs tight | $20 – $35 |
| Crushed stone (#57) | ¾" angular | Middle layer — drainage + stability | $25 – $45 |
| Pea gravel | ⅜" round | Surface layer — smooth look | $30 – $50 |
| Crushed limestone | Various | Surface or middle layer | $25 – $45 |
| Decomposed granite | Fine | Surface — compacts well | $25 – $50 |
| River rock | 1" – 3" | Decorative borders, not driveways | $35 – $60 |
For a durable gravel driveway, use three layers: 4" of road base (compacted) → 2-3" of crushed stone (#57 or similar) → 2" of surface gravel (pea gravel or decomposed granite). The base does the heavy lifting, the middle adds drainage, and the surface gives you the look.
Recommended Depths
| Application | Recommended Total Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decorative walkway | 2 – 3 inches | Light foot traffic only |
| Garden path | 3 inches | Over landscape fabric |
| Patio area | 3 – 4 inches | Compacted base + surface |
| Single-car driveway | 6 – 8 inches | Base + surface layers |
| Two-car driveway | 8 – 10 inches | Heavier base for wider span |
| RV/heavy vehicle pad | 8 – 12 inches | Extra base layer for weight |
The Formula
Example: Standard driveway, 12 × 50 ft, 6 inches total
- Area: 600 sq ft
- 600 × 6 ÷ 324 = 11.11 cubic yards
- Add 10% overage: 12.22 yards
- Order: 12.5 cubic yards
Example: Wide driveway, 20 × 60 ft, 8 inches
- Area: 1,200 sq ft
- 1,200 × 8 ÷ 324 = 29.63 cubic yards
- Add 10%: 32.59 yards
- Order: 33 cubic yards (about 3 dump truck loads)
A typical single-car gravel driveway (12 × 50 ft at 6" deep) needs about 12-13 cubic yards of gravel — roughly one standard dump truck load.
Calculate Gravel Instantly
Enter your driveway dimensions and depth. Get cubic yards, tons, and cost estimate.
Open Gravel Calculator →Handling Curves and Irregular Shapes
Most driveways aren't perfectly rectangular. Here's how to handle common situations:
Curved driveway: Measure the length along the center of the curve. Measure the width at the widest point. Multiply as if it were a rectangle — the inner/outer curve roughly cancel each other out.
Flared entry: If your driveway widens near the street, measure the narrow section and wide section separately. Calculate each as its own rectangle, then add the results.
Circular turnaround: Use π × radius² for the circle area. A 20-foot diameter turnaround = 3.14 × 10² = 314 sq ft. Then multiply by depth and divide by 324.
Tapered driveway: Use the average width. If it's 10 ft at one end and 16 ft at the other, use (10 + 16) ÷ 2 = 13 ft as the width.
Coverage Quick-Reference
| Cubic Yards | At 3" Deep | At 4" Deep | At 6" Deep | At 8" Deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 324 sq ft | 243 sq ft | 162 sq ft | 122 sq ft |
| 5 | 540 sq ft | 405 sq ft | 270 sq ft | 203 sq ft |
| 8 | 864 sq ft | 648 sq ft | 432 sq ft | 324 sq ft |
| 10 | 1,080 sq ft | 810 sq ft | 540 sq ft | 405 sq ft |
| 15 | 1,620 sq ft | 1,215 sq ft | 810 sq ft | 608 sq ft |
| 20 | 2,160 sq ft | 1,620 sq ft | 1,080 sq ft | 810 sq ft |
How Many Yards Does a Delivery Truck Bring?
Knowing truck sizes helps you plan how many deliveries you need.
- Small dump truck: 5-6 cubic yards
- Standard dump truck: 10-12 cubic yards
- Tandem axle: 14-16 cubic yards
- Tri-axle: 16-18 cubic yards
Delivery fees typically run $50-$150 per trip depending on distance. If you need 15 cubic yards, one tandem load is cheaper than two standard loads — fewer trips means fewer fees.
For weight-based ordering and tons conversion, check our gravel weight and coverage guide or use the cubic yards to tons calculator.
A dump truck drops gravel in a pile. You'll need a way to spread it — a Bobcat, tractor, or a lot of shoveling and raking. For driveways over 10 yards, rent a skid steer or have the supplier spread it. Budget an extra $100-$300 for spreading equipment rental.
Get Your Exact Number
Free Gravel Calculator
Enter dimensions and depth. Get cubic yards, tons, and a cost estimate with overage factor.
Calculate Gravel Needed →Related Guides
- Gravel Weight and Coverage — Weight by type, coverage tables
- Cubic Yards to Tons — Weight conversion for ordering
- How Many Cubic Yards Do I Need? — Master volume guide
- Square Feet to Cubic Yards — Area + depth conversion
- Gravel Cubic Yard Calculator
- Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator