How to use this calculator
- Measure the area. Length × width of the driveway or pad in feet. For curved drives, divide into rectangles and sum.
- Pick the depth. 4 in for residential driveways over stable subgrade. 6 in over soft soil or for trucks. 8 in for heavy-vehicle access roads.
- Add 25% compaction allowance. Crushed stone compacts to 75% of loose volume. Order 1.33× your final compacted volume.
- Read tons + yards. Quarries price in tons. Most road base weighs ~2,800 lb/yd³ (1.4 tons/yd³). Use the calculator output to compare quotes from supplier to supplier.
Formula
Volume (yd³) = Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27 (depth in ft)
Worked example
A 60 × 12 ft driveway with 4 inches of compacted road base: 720 ft² × 0.333 ft = 240 ft³ ÷ 27 = 8.9 yd³ compacted. Order 8.9 × 1.33 = 11.8 yd³ loose, or about 16.5 tons.
Common project sizes
Quick reference for the most common road base calculator use cases. Use these as a sanity check on your calculator inputs.
| Project | Dimensions | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 40 × 10 ft drive (4 in) | 400 ft² | ~6.6 yd³ loose · ~9 tons |
| 60 × 12 ft drive (4 in) | 720 ft² | ~11.8 yd³ loose · ~16.5 tons |
| 80 × 12 ft drive (6 in) | 960 ft² | ~23.7 yd³ loose · ~33 tons |
| Parking pad (24 × 24 × 4 in) | 576 ft² | ~9.5 yd³ loose · ~13 tons |
2026 cost reference
Typical retail price range in the United States for road base. Local pricing varies by region, supplier, and grade — confirm with two or three quotes before ordering.
Per ton (delivered)
$30 – $60
$15–$25/ton at the quarry. $30–$60/ton delivered, with 10–25% premium for short-distance loads under 5 yd³.
Tips for accurate results
- Crusher run (1 1/4" minus or 3/4" minus) compacts best. Avoid clean #57 stone for base — it doesn't lock together.
- Compact in 2–3 inch lifts with a vibrating plate compactor for smooth final surface. One full pass per inch of depth.
- For permanent driveways, use a fabric (geotextile) under the road base to prevent stone migration into clay or topsoil.
- Top with 2 in of #8 or pea gravel for a finished surface, or pour asphalt / concrete directly on the compacted base.
- Order delivery on a tandem dump truck (10–15 yd³) for the best per-ton price. Single-axle delivery is 4–6 yd³ at higher per-ton rates.
When to consult a pro
Spreading and grading road base is workable DIY for short driveways (under 60 ft) with a rented compactor. For longer drives, slopes, or any drainage-critical work, hire a small grading contractor — they'll have the right machine and the muscle memory to crown the surface and grade slopes for water shedding.