How to use this calculator
- Measure area. Length and width of the area to cover.
- Choose depth. Driveway base: 4–6 in. Pea gravel path: 2–3 in. French drain: 12 in.
- Read result. Tons is the standard sales unit at quarries. Cubic yards is for delivery trucks.
Formula
Tons = (Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27) × density
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft × 4 in driveway top coat equals 2.47 cubic yards or about 3.45 tons of crushed stone.
Common project sizes
Quick reference for the most common gravel calculator use cases. Use these as a sanity check on your calculator inputs.
| Project | Dimensions | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path (3×40 ft, 3" deep) | 120 ft² | 1.1 yd³ · 1.4 tons |
| Two-car driveway base (20×20 ft, 4" deep) | 400 ft² | 4.9 yd³ · 6.8 tons |
| Long driveway (12×60 ft, 4" deep) | 720 ft² | 8.9 yd³ · 12.5 tons |
| French drain (200 ft × 1 ft × 12" deep) | 200 ft³ | 7.4 yd³ · 10.4 tons |
2026 cost reference
Typical retail price range in the United States for gravel. Local pricing varies by region, supplier, and grade — confirm with two or three quotes before ordering.
Per ton (delivered)
$25 – $80
#57 crushed limestone is $25–$45/ton at the quarry, $40–$60 delivered. Pea gravel and decorative stone run $50–$80/ton. Delivery typically adds $80–$200 per trip; ask the dispatcher whether they charge by the trip or by the ton-mile before loading.
By the numbers — regional pricing
Snapshot of current US pricing for ton (delivered, #57 crushed limestone), broken down by Census region. Source: Quarry list prices in 16 metros; delivery surcharge $80–$200/load (typical 10–22 ton truck).. Data as of April 2026; we refresh quarterly.
| Region | Low | High | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $28 | $48 | — |
| Midwest | $22 | $38 | Quarry-dense region — pickup runs $14–$22/ton if you can haul. |
| South | $24 | $42 | — |
| West | $32 | $65 | Limestone scarce in CA/OR/WA; granite and basalt at $40–$65/ton. |
How we calculate this
Assumptions baked in
Tons = (Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27) × density. Default densities (in tons per cubic yard) are: #57 crushed limestone 1.4, pea gravel 1.35, river rock 1.30, sand 1.45, ¾" crushed concrete 1.35. We use the dry uncompacted density — installed and compacted, expect 10–15% settlement, which is why the calculator default is 10% extra in the displayed order quantity.
Accuracy and margin of error
For driveways and paths with a flat, uniform sub-grade, the volume formula is exact. Variance comes from the density (different quarries publish ±5% spreads on the same product code) and from compaction loss. For French drains and trenches with rounded bottoms, calculate as a rectangle and add 5%.
Edge cases this calculator does not handle
For driveways over 1,000 ft², do not enter a single depth — most pros build a 4" #57 base + 2" #8 or pea-gravel topping. Run the calculator twice (once per layer). For driveways on heavy clay or expansive soil, separate the layers with a 4–6 oz/yd² nonwoven geotextile, which prevents the gravel from pumping into the subgrade — the calculator does NOT factor this in but the geotextile cost is roughly $0.20/ft².
Cited sources for this page
The figures and rules above are anchored to the following normative references. We link the underlying claim to its standard — not as generic SEO trust signals, but so you can audit any number on this page against a primary source.
Aggregate gradation #57 ("¾" minus") and #8 ("⅜" minus") are AASHTO M43 standard sizes — the same sizes most US quarries use as catalog codes.
Source: AASHTO M43 Standard Sizes of Aggregate for Road and Bridge Construction
Geotextile separation under granular roadway base is specified in AASHTO M288 — 4 oz/yd² minimum for residential traffic, 6 oz/yd² for occasional heavy loads.
Source: AASHTO M288 Standard Specification for Geotextile Specification for Highway Applications
Tips for accurate results
- For driveways, layer the base coarsely (#57 stone, 4") then top with #8 or pea gravel (2").
- 1 cubic yard of #57 limestone weighs about 1.4 tons.
- Order 10% extra to account for compaction and edge spillover.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using rounded stone (pea gravel, river rock) for a driveway — it rolls underfoot and ruts under tires.
- Skipping the geotextile under driveway gravel — stone sinks into the soil within 1–2 winters.
- Ordering only the top coat without a 4–6" base — the surface wears out fast and potholes appear.
- Forgetting that gravel settles 10–15% after the first heavy rain. Order extra, regrade once, and call it done.
When to consult a pro
Spreading gravel on a flat surface is straightforward DIY. Hire a contractor for any project that involves grading more than a 2% slope, a French drain that ties into your foundation, or a driveway over 1,000 ft² — those need a vibratory compactor (rental, $150/day) and crowning so the surface sheds water. A driveway installed without proper compaction costs less to install and triple to maintain.