How Much Gravel Do You Need for a Driveway?

Planning a gravel driveway? The math is simple, but choosing the right gravel type and depth makes the difference between a solid surface and a muddy mess. This guide gives you the exact calculations.

The Quick Answer

For a standard single-car driveway (12 feet wide × 50 feet long × 4 inches deep):

• 7.4 cubic yards of gravel
• Or approximately 10 tons (crushed stone)
• Cost: $370–$740 for materials ($50–$100 per ton delivered)

For a double-car driveway (20 × 60 × 4 inches): 14.8 cubic yards or 20 tons.

The Formula

Driveways are rectangles, so the volume calculation is straightforward:

Volume (cubic yards) = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27

Note that all measurements must be in feet. Since gravel depth is typically specified in inches, convert first:

Depth in feet = Depth in inches ÷ 12

Example Calculation

For a 12-foot wide × 50-foot long driveway with 4-inch gravel depth:

1. Convert depth: 4 inches ÷ 12 = 0.333 feet
2. Calculate volume: 12 × 50 × 0.333 = 200 cubic feet
3. Convert to cubic yards: 200 ÷ 27 = 7.4 cubic yards
4. Convert to tons: 7.4 × 1.35 (crushed stone density) = 10 tons

Most gravel suppliers sell by the ton, and crushed stone weighs approximately 1.35 tons per cubic yard.

Common Driveway Sizes Reference Chart

Driveway Size	Gravel Depth	Cubic Yards	Tons Needed	Estimated Cost
10’ × 30’ (single, short)	3”	2.8	3.8	$190–$380
10’ × 30’ (single, short)	4”	3.7	5.0	$250–$500
12’ × 50’ (single, standard)	3”	5.6	7.5	$375–$750
12’ × 50’ (single, standard)	4”	7.4	10.0	$500–$1,000
20’ × 60’ (double, standard)	3”	11.1	15.0	$750–$1,500
20’ × 60’ (double, standard)	4”	14.8	20.0	$1,000–$2,000
24’ × 100’ (long double)	4”	29.6	40.0	$2,000–$4,000

Cost estimates assume $50–$100 per ton delivered. Prices vary by region and supplier.

Gravel Types for Driveways

Not all gravel is created equal. The right type depends on drainage needs, budget, and aesthetics.

Gravel Type	Size	Best For	Cost per Ton	Pros	Cons
Crushed Stone #57	¾”	Base layer, primary surface	$50–$80	Excellent compaction, affordable	Can shift without edging
Crushed Stone #411	¼”–¾” mix	Top layer, binding	$55–$85	Contains stone dust for binding	Dusty when dry
Pea Gravel	⅜”–½”	Decorative top layer	$60–$100	Smooth, attractive, good drainage	Shifts easily, bad for parking
Jersey Shore Gravel	⅜”	Decorative, coastal areas	$65–$95	Beautiful color, compacts well	More expensive
Marble Chips	½”–¾”	Luxury driveways	$90–$150	Stunning appearance, bright	Very expensive, high maintenance
Recycled Concrete	¾”–1½”	Budget base layer	$30–$50	Cheapest option, eco-friendly	Gray color only, rough texture

The Three-Layer System

Professional driveways use three distinct layers:

1. Base Layer (6–8 inches): Large crushed stone (#2 or #3) for stability and drainage
2. Middle Layer (4 inches): Medium crushed stone (#57) for load distribution
3. Top Layer (2–3 inches): Fine crushed stone (#411 or pea gravel) for aesthetics and binding

Total depth: 12–15 inches for maximum durability. Budget driveways can get away with 4–6 inches of a single gravel type, but expect ruts and maintenance.

Pro Tips from Contractors

1. Add 10% to Your Order

Gravel settles and compacts, especially after the first rain. Order 10% extra to account for the following factors:

• Settling and compaction (5–7%)
• Uneven ground (2–3%)
• Edges spilling into lawn (1–2%)

For a project requiring 10 tons, order 11 tons.

2. Install Landscape Fabric First

Lay commercial-grade landscape fabric (not thin weed barrier) under the gravel. This provides these benefits:

• Prevents gravel from mixing with soil
• Reduces weed growth by 90%
• Extends driveway life by 5–10 years

Skip the fabric if you have a solid clay base because it may trap water and create mud.

3. Edge Retention Is Critical

Gravel spreads without borders. Install edging to contain it using one of these options:

• Metal edging: Most durable, clean lines ($3–$5 per linear foot)
• Timber borders: Rustic look, 10–15 year lifespan ($2–$4 per foot)
• Belgian blocks: Premium appearance, permanent ($8–$12 per foot)

For a 12 × 50-foot driveway, you need 124 linear feet of edging (perimeter calculation).

4. Crown the Center

Grade your driveway so the center is 2–3 inches higher than the edges. This creates a crown that sheds water to the sides, preventing pooling and ice buildup.

A flat driveway becomes a pond after rain.

5. Compact After Every Layer

Rent a plate compactor ($60–$80 per day) and compact after:

• Laying the base
• Adding the middle layer
• Spreading the top layer

Uncompacted gravel shifts and ruts within weeks. Compacted gravel can last 10+ years.

6. Avoid Pea Gravel for Parking Areas

Pea gravel is smooth and pretty, but it’s terrible for cars for these reasons:

• Shifts under tire weight
• Doesn’t compact
• Gets stuck in tire treads
• Spreads into your lawn

Reserve pea gravel for decorative pathways. Use crushed stone (#57 or #411) for driveways.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make

1. Skipping the Excavation

Dumping gravel on grass or dirt guarantees failure. You must complete these steps:

• Remove sod and topsoil (4–6 inches)
• Excavate to final depth
• Compact the subgrade before adding fabric

Gravel applied directly on grass will turn to mud within 6 months.

2. Choosing the Wrong Depth

Depth	Use Case	Durability
2–3”	Foot traffic only	1–2 years
4–6”	Light vehicles, occasional parking	3–5 years
8–12”	Daily use, heavy vehicles	10+ years

Most homeowners underestimate depth. 4 inches minimum for a car driveway. 6 inches+ for trucks or RVs.

3. Ordering the Wrong Gravel Size

• Too large (2”+): Uncomfortable to walk on, doesn’t compact, and cars slide
• Too small (sand/dust): Turns to mud, blows away, and doesn’t drain

Sweet spot: ¾-inch crushed stone for the top layer.

4. Ignoring Drainage

Gravel driveways need slope with these requirements:

• 2% minimum grade (¼ inch drop per foot)
• Slope away from buildings
• Install French drains if you have standing water issues

A flat driveway on clay soil becomes a swamp.

5. Not Compacting

The #1 reason gravel driveways fail early is skipping compaction. A plate compactor costs $60–$80 to rent for a day, which is the best money you’ll spend.

Run the compactor in overlapping passes until you can’t compress the gravel further.

Maintenance Schedule

Gravel driveways aren’t maintenance-free. Follow this schedule:

• Annually: Add 1–2 inches of new gravel to replace settling/migration
• Spring: Rake smooth, fill ruts, re-grade crown
• Fall: Remove leaves before rain (they create slippery mush)
• Winter: Avoid salt because it sinks into gravel. Use sand instead

Expect to add 0.5–1 ton of gravel per year for a standard driveway.

Cost Breakdown Example

For a 12 × 50-foot driveway (600 sq ft):

Item	Quantity	Cost per Unit	Total
Excavation	600 sq ft	$1.50/sq ft	$900
Landscape fabric	600 sq ft	$0.30/sq ft	$180
Base layer gravel (6”)	11 tons	$50/ton	$550
Top layer gravel (4”)	10 tons	$70/ton	$700
Edging (metal)	124 linear ft	$4/ft	$496
Compactor rental	1 day	$75	$75
Total			$2,901

DIY savings: Skip excavation ($900) and edging installation ($200) to cut costs to approximately $1,800 for materials and compactor rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a gravel driveway cost per square foot?

A budget single-layer gravel driveway costs $1-2 per square foot for materials only. A professional three-layer system with proper excavation, fabric, edging, and compaction costs $3-6 per square foot installed. For a standard 12x50 foot driveway, expect $600-1,000 DIY or $1,800-3,600 professionally installed.

What is the best gravel size for driveways?

For driveways, 3/4-inch crushed stone (#57) is the best all-purpose gravel. It compacts well, provides good drainage, and is affordable at $50-80 per ton. Avoid pea gravel for parking areas as it shifts under tire weight and doesn’t compact. For the top layer, use #411 (mix of 1/4” to 3/4”) which contains stone dust for binding.

How deep should a gravel driveway be?

Minimum 4 inches for light vehicles and occasional parking. Use 6-8 inches for daily use driveways. Professional three-layer systems use 12-15 inches total (6-8” base layer, 4” middle layer, 2-3” top layer) for maximum durability lasting 10+ years. Shallow driveways (2-3 inches) develop ruts within months.

Do I need landscape fabric under a gravel driveway?

Yes, commercial-grade landscape fabric prevents gravel from mixing with soil, reduces weed growth by 90%, and extends driveway life by 5-10 years. Skip fabric only if you have a solid clay base because it may trap water. Use heavy-duty fabric rated 3+ ounces, not thin weed barrier which tears easily.

How do I keep gravel from spreading into my lawn?

Install edging to contain gravel. Options include metal edging ($3-5/linear foot) for clean lines and durability, timber borders ($2-4/foot) for a rustic look, or Belgian blocks ($8-12/foot) for premium appearance. Without edging, gravel migrates 6-12 inches per year into lawns and requires constant raking back.

Calculate Your Exact Amount

Every driveway is different. Use our gravel calculator to get precise cubic yards and tons for your specific dimensions, gravel type, and depth.