Cubic Yards, Tons & Cost
Last reviewed: May 2026
Calculate the volume and weight of gravel for driveways, paths, drainage, and decorative landscaping. Gravel is sold by both cubic yards and tons — this calculator converts between both and accounts for the density difference between stone types. Under-ordering means a partial driveway; over-ordering means paying to remove excess.1
| Project | Depth | 10×20 ft Area | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway | 4–6" | 2.5–3.7 cu yd | 3.4–5.2 |
| Walkway | 2–3" | 1.2–1.9 cu yd | 1.7–2.6 |
| Decorative bed | 2" | 1.2 cu yd | 1.7 |
| French drain | 12" | 7.4 cu yd | 10.4 |
| Stone Type | Tons/Cu Yd | $/Ton | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed limestone | 1.40 | $15–$30 | Driveways, base |
| Pea gravel | 1.35 | $25–$40 | Paths, drainage |
| River rock | 1.30 | $40–$75 | Decorative, dry creek beds |
| Crusher run | 1.50 | $15–$25 | Compactable base |
Gravel is sold by the cubic yard (27 cubic feet) or by the ton. Coverage depends on depth: at 2" deep, one cubic yard covers approximately 162 sq ft; at 4" deep, 81 sq ft; at 6" deep, 54 sq ft. The conversion between volume and weight varies by gravel type — most gravel weighs 1.3-1.5 tons per cubic yard. Crushed stone is heavier (~1.4 tons/yd³) than pea gravel (~1.3 tons/yd³) because angular pieces pack more tightly.
Crushed stone (#57): ¾" angular pieces. The standard driveway and drainage material. Interlocks when compacted, creating a stable surface. $30-50/ton delivered. Pea gravel: ¼-½" rounded stones. Used for walkways, patios, drainage, and decorative landscaping. Comfortable underfoot but shifts without edging. $35-55/ton. Crushed gravel (#411): Mix of stone and stone dust. Compacts into a near-solid surface — ideal for patio bases and shed foundations. River rock: 1-3" smooth stones. Decorative, used for landscaping, dry creek beds, and drainage. $40-80/ton. Base gravel (#21A): Coarse mix of crushed stone and fines. The foundation layer for driveways, roads, and paver bases. Must be compacted with a plate compactor. $25-40/ton.
A standard single-car driveway (10'×50') at 4" depth needs: 10 × 50 × (4/12) = 167 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 6.2 cubic yards ≈ 8.7 tons. A proper gravel driveway has three layers: 4-6" of base gravel (#21A), 2-3" of middle layer (#57 stone), and 2" of top dressing (¾" crushed stone or pea gravel). Total depth: 8-11" when first installed, compacting to 6-8" over time. Budget roughly $1,200-3,000 for a complete gravel driveway including material delivery and spreading — significantly less than asphalt ($3,000-7,000) or concrete ($5,000-12,000).
Bulk gravel delivery is far cheaper than bagged. A 0.5 cubic foot bag from a hardware store costs $4-6 — equivalent to $216-324/cubic yard. Bulk delivery: $30-80/cubic yard plus $50-150 delivery fee. For quantities over 3 cubic yards, bulk always wins economically. A standard dump truck holds 10-14 cubic yards. Tri-axle dumps hold 16-18 cubic yards. For spreading, a skid steer ($200-350/day rental) handles large areas efficiently. Small areas can be spread with wheelbarrows and rakes — budget 1-2 hours per cubic yard for manual spreading.
Not all gravel is interchangeable, and choosing the wrong type for a project leads to problems. Pea gravel (3/8" smooth, rounded stones) is popular for walkways and decorative beds because it's comfortable underfoot, but it shifts easily and should not be used for driveways — tires displace it constantly. Crushed stone (angular, fractured rock in various sizes) interlocks under compaction, making it ideal for driveways, road bases, and structural fill. The most common driveway gravel is #57 stone (3/4" to 1" crushed), which compacts well and drains freely. For a proper driveway base, contractors typically use a 3-layer approach: 4-6 inches of #3 stone (1.5-2.5" crusher run) as a foundation, 3-4 inches of #57 stone as the middle layer, and 2-3 inches of #8 or #9 stone (3/8" to 1/2") as the top surface. Each layer is compacted before the next is applied. River rock (1-3" smooth stones) is decorative but too large and smooth for walking surfaces or driveways — it works best in drainage swales, dry creek beds, and ornamental garden borders.
Gravel is sold by weight (tons) or volume (cubic yards), and converting between them requires knowing the material density. Most crushed stone weighs approximately 2,700-2,800 lbs per cubic yard (1.35-1.40 tons). Pea gravel is slightly lighter at 2,500-2,600 lbs/cubic yard. To estimate volume: measure the area in square feet and multiply by the desired depth in feet. A 20' × 40' driveway (800 sq ft) at 4 inches deep (0.333 feet) needs 800 × 0.333 = 266.7 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 9.9 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, that's approximately 13.4 tons. Suppliers typically deliver in full truckloads (10-22 tons depending on the truck) or by the cubic yard for smaller quantities. Always order 10-15% extra to account for uneven ground, settling, and material lost at edges. A common mistake is calculating volume based on exact dimensions without accounting for the flared edges of driveways, turnaround areas, or wider sections at gates and entryways.
Gravel's primary engineering advantage is drainage. Unlike solid surfaces (concrete, asphalt) that channel runoff, gravel allows water to percolate through the surface into the ground — making it increasingly popular as municipalities implement stormwater management regulations. A properly installed gravel driveway with 6-8 inches of compacted base over geotextile fabric handles heavy rain without pooling. French drains use gravel around perforated pipe to collect and redirect subsurface water: the standard configuration is a 12-18 inch wide trench, 18-24 inches deep, lined with landscape fabric, filled with 3/4" washed stone around a 4" perforated PVC pipe, then topped with more stone and folded fabric. The gravel allows water to flow freely to the pipe while the fabric prevents soil from clogging the system. Without the fabric layer, fine soil particles migrate into the gravel within 2-3 years and reduce drainage capacity by 50-70%. For retaining wall backfill, clean 3/4" stone behind the wall with a drain pipe at the footing relieves hydrostatic pressure that would otherwise push the wall forward — the leading cause of retaining wall failure.
Gravel pricing varies significantly by type, region, and delivery distance. Common crushed stone runs $25-50 per ton at the quarry, while decorative stone (Mexican beach pebbles, polished river rock, marble chips) can reach $100-300 per ton. Delivery fees add $50-150 per load depending on distance, and most suppliers set a minimum delivery of 1-5 tons. For small projects under 1 ton, bagged gravel from home improvement stores costs 3-5x more per ton but eliminates delivery fees. Bulk pricing breaks typically occur at 10+ tons and 20+ tons. When planning delivery, ensure the truck can access your property: a standard dump truck is 8 feet wide and 25 feet long, needs 12-14 feet of overhead clearance, and weighs 25-30 tons loaded — soft ground, narrow gates, low tree branches, and weight-restricted roads all create access problems. Request the driver place the pile as close to the work area as possible, because moving gravel by wheelbarrow is labor-intensive: a cubic yard weighs over a ton and requires 15-18 wheelbarrow loads.
Not all gravel is interchangeable, and choosing the wrong type for a project leads to problems. Pea gravel (3/8" smooth, rounded stones) is popular for walkways and decorative beds because it's comfortable underfoot, but it shifts easily and should not be used for driveways — tires displace it constantly. Crushed stone (angular, fractured rock in various sizes) interlocks under compaction, making it ideal for driveways, road bases, and structural fill. The most common driveway gravel is #57 stone (3/4" to 1" crushed), which compacts well and drains freely. For a proper driveway base, contractors typically use a 3-layer approach: 4-6 inches of #3 stone (1.5-2.5" crusher run) as a foundation, 3-4 inches of #57 stone as the middle layer, and 2-3 inches of #8 or #9 stone (3/8" to 1/2") as the top surface. Each layer is compacted before the next is applied. River rock (1-3" smooth stones) is decorative but too large and smooth for walking surfaces or driveways — it works best in drainage swales, dry creek beds, and ornamental garden borders.
Gravel is sold by weight (tons) or volume (cubic yards), and converting between them requires knowing the material density. Most crushed stone weighs approximately 2,700-2,800 lbs per cubic yard (1.35-1.40 tons). Pea gravel is slightly lighter at 2,500-2,600 lbs/cubic yard. To estimate volume: measure the area in square feet and multiply by the desired depth in feet. A 20' × 40' driveway (800 sq ft) at 4 inches deep (0.333 feet) needs 800 × 0.333 = 266.7 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 9.9 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, that's approximately 13.4 tons. Suppliers typically deliver in full truckloads (10-22 tons depending on the truck) or by the cubic yard for smaller quantities. Always order 10-15% extra to account for uneven ground, settling, and material lost at edges. A common mistake is calculating volume based on exact dimensions without accounting for the flared edges of driveways, turnaround areas, or wider sections at gates and entryways.
Gravel's primary engineering advantage is drainage. Unlike solid surfaces (concrete, asphalt) that channel runoff, gravel allows water to percolate through the surface into the ground — making it increasingly popular as municipalities implement stormwater management regulations. A properly installed gravel driveway with 6-8 inches of compacted base over geotextile fabric handles heavy rain without pooling. French drains use gravel around perforated pipe to collect and redirect subsurface water: the standard configuration is a 12-18 inch wide trench, 18-24 inches deep, lined with landscape fabric, filled with 3/4" washed stone around a 4" perforated PVC pipe, then topped with more stone and folded fabric. The gravel allows water to flow freely to the pipe while the fabric prevents soil from clogging the system. Without the fabric layer, fine soil particles migrate into the gravel within 2-3 years and reduce drainage capacity by 50-70%. For retaining wall backfill, clean 3/4" stone behind the wall with a drain pipe at the footing relieves hydrostatic pressure that would otherwise push the wall forward — the leading cause of retaining wall failure.
Gravel pricing varies significantly by type, region, and delivery distance. Common crushed stone runs $25-50 per ton at the quarry, while decorative stone (Mexican beach pebbles, polished river rock, marble chips) can reach $100-300 per ton. Delivery fees add $50-150 per load depending on distance, and most suppliers set a minimum delivery of 1-5 tons. For small projects under 1 ton, bagged gravel from home improvement stores costs 3-5x more per ton but eliminates delivery fees. Bulk pricing breaks typically occur at 10+ tons and 20+ tons. When planning delivery, ensure the truck can access your property: a standard dump truck is 8 feet wide and 25 feet long, needs 12-14 feet of overhead clearance, and weighs 25-30 tons loaded — soft ground, narrow gates, low tree branches, and weight-restricted roads all create access problems. Request the driver place the pile as close to the work area as possible, because moving gravel by wheelbarrow is labor-intensive: a cubic yard weighs over a ton and requires 15-18 wheelbarrow loads.
Not all gravel is interchangeable, and choosing the wrong type for a project leads to problems. Pea gravel (3/8" smooth, rounded stones) is popular for walkways and decorative beds because it's comfortable underfoot, but it shifts easily and should not be used for driveways — tires displace it constantly. Crushed stone (angular, fractured rock in various sizes) interlocks under compaction, making it ideal for driveways, road bases, and structural fill. The most common driveway gravel is #57 stone (3/4" to 1" crushed), which compacts well and drains freely. For a proper driveway base, contractors typically use a 3-layer approach: 4-6 inches of #3 stone (1.5-2.5" crusher run) as a foundation, 3-4 inches of #57 stone as the middle layer, and 2-3 inches of #8 or #9 stone (3/8" to 1/2") as the top surface. Each layer is compacted before the next is applied. River rock (1-3" smooth stones) is decorative but too large and smooth for walking surfaces or driveways — it works best in drainage swales, dry creek beds, and ornamental garden borders.
Gravel is sold by weight (tons) or volume (cubic yards), and converting between them requires knowing the material density. Most crushed stone weighs approximately 2,700-2,800 lbs per cubic yard (1.35-1.40 tons). Pea gravel is slightly lighter at 2,500-2,600 lbs/cubic yard. To estimate volume: measure the area in square feet and multiply by the desired depth in feet. A 20' × 40' driveway (800 sq ft) at 4 inches deep (0.333 feet) needs 800 × 0.333 = 266.7 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 9.9 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, that's approximately 13.4 tons. Suppliers typically deliver in full truckloads (10-22 tons depending on the truck) or by the cubic yard for smaller quantities. Always order 10-15% extra to account for uneven ground, settling, and material lost at edges. A common mistake is calculating volume based on exact dimensions without accounting for the flared edges of driveways, turnaround areas, or wider sections at gates and entryways.
Gravel's primary engineering advantage is drainage. Unlike solid surfaces (concrete, asphalt) that channel runoff, gravel allows water to percolate through the surface into the ground — making it increasingly popular as municipalities implement stormwater management regulations. A properly installed gravel driveway with 6-8 inches of compacted base over geotextile fabric handles heavy rain without pooling. French drains use gravel around perforated pipe to collect and redirect subsurface water: the standard configuration is a 12-18 inch wide trench, 18-24 inches deep, lined with landscape fabric, filled with 3/4" washed stone around a 4" perforated PVC pipe, then topped with more stone and folded fabric. The gravel allows water to flow freely to the pipe while the fabric prevents soil from clogging the system. Without the fabric layer, fine soil particles migrate into the gravel within 2-3 years and reduce drainage capacity by 50-70%. For retaining wall backfill, clean 3/4" stone behind the wall with a drain pipe at the footing relieves hydrostatic pressure that would otherwise push the wall forward — the leading cause of retaining wall failure.
Gravel pricing varies significantly by type, region, and delivery distance. Common crushed stone runs $25-50 per ton at the quarry, while decorative stone (Mexican beach pebbles, polished river rock, marble chips) can reach $100-300 per ton. Delivery fees add $50-150 per load depending on distance, and most suppliers set a minimum delivery of 1-5 tons. For small projects under 1 ton, bagged gravel from home improvement stores costs 3-5x more per ton but eliminates delivery fees. Bulk pricing breaks typically occur at 10+ tons and 20+ tons. When planning delivery, ensure the truck can access your property: a standard dump truck is 8 feet wide and 25 feet long, needs 12-14 feet of overhead clearance, and weighs 25-30 tons loaded — soft ground, narrow gates, low tree branches, and weight-restricted roads all create access problems. Request the driver place the pile as close to the work area as possible, because moving gravel by wheelbarrow is labor-intensive: a cubic yard weighs over a ton and requires 15-18 wheelbarrow loads.
Not all gravel is interchangeable, and choosing the wrong type for a project leads to problems. Pea gravel (3/8" smooth, rounded stones) is popular for walkways and decorative beds because it's comfortable underfoot, but it shifts easily and should not be used for driveways — tires displace it constantly. Crushed stone (angular, fractured rock in various sizes) interlocks under compaction, making it ideal for driveways, road bases, and structural fill. The most common driveway gravel is #57 stone (3/4" to 1" crushed), which compacts well and drains freely. For a proper driveway base, contractors typically use a 3-layer approach: 4-6 inches of #3 stone (1.5-2.5" crusher run) as a foundation, 3-4 inches of #57 stone as the middle layer, and 2-3 inches of #8 or #9 stone (3/8" to 1/2") as the top surface. Each layer is compacted before the next is applied. River rock (1-3" smooth stones) is decorative but too large and smooth for walking surfaces or driveways — it works best in drainage swales, dry creek beds, and ornamental garden borders.
Gravel is sold by weight (tons) or volume (cubic yards), and converting between them requires knowing the material density. Most crushed stone weighs approximately 2,700-2,800 lbs per cubic yard (1.35-1.40 tons). Pea gravel is slightly lighter at 2,500-2,600 lbs/cubic yard. To estimate volume: measure the area in square feet and multiply by the desired depth in feet. A 20' × 40' driveway (800 sq ft) at 4 inches deep (0.333 feet) needs 800 × 0.333 = 266.7 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 9.9 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, that's approximately 13.4 tons. Suppliers typically deliver in full truckloads (10-22 tons depending on the truck) or by the cubic yard for smaller quantities. Always order 10-15% extra to account for uneven ground, settling, and material lost at edges. A common mistake is calculating volume based on exact dimensions without accounting for the flared edges of driveways, turnaround areas, or wider sections at gates and entryways.
Gravel's primary engineering advantage is drainage. Unlike solid surfaces (concrete, asphalt) that channel runoff, gravel allows water to percolate through the surface into the ground — making it increasingly popular as municipalities implement stormwater management regulations. A properly installed gravel driveway with 6-8 inches of compacted base over geotextile fabric handles heavy rain without pooling. French drains use gravel around perforated pipe to collect and redirect subsurface water: the standard configuration is a 12-18 inch wide trench, 18-24 inches deep, lined with landscape fabric, filled with 3/4" washed stone around a 4" perforated PVC pipe, then topped with more stone and folded fabric. The gravel allows water to flow freely to the pipe while the fabric prevents soil from clogging the system. Without the fabric layer, fine soil particles migrate into the gravel within 2-3 years and reduce drainage capacity by 50-70%. For retaining wall backfill, clean 3/4" stone behind the wall with a drain pipe at the footing relieves hydrostatic pressure that would otherwise push the wall forward — the leading cause of retaining wall failure.
Gravel pricing varies significantly by type, region, and delivery distance. Common crushed stone runs $25-50 per ton at the quarry, while decorative stone (Mexican beach pebbles, polished river rock, marble chips) can reach $100-300 per ton. Delivery fees add $50-150 per load depending on distance, and most suppliers set a minimum delivery of 1-5 tons. For small projects under 1 ton, bagged gravel from home improvement stores costs 3-5x more per ton but eliminates delivery fees. Bulk pricing breaks typically occur at 10+ tons and 20+ tons. When planning delivery, ensure the truck can access your property: a standard dump truck is 8 feet wide and 25 feet long, needs 12-14 feet of overhead clearance, and weighs 25-30 tons loaded — soft ground, narrow gates, low tree branches, and weight-restricted roads all create access problems. Request the driver place the pile as close to the work area as possible, because moving gravel by wheelbarrow is labor-intensive: a cubic yard weighs over a ton and requires 15-18 wheelbarrow loads.
Not all gravel is interchangeable, and choosing the wrong type for a project leads to problems. Pea gravel (3/8" smooth, rounded stones) is popular for walkways and decorative beds because it's comfortable underfoot, but it shifts easily and should not be used for driveways — tires displace it constantly. Crushed stone (angular, fractured rock in various sizes) interlocks under compaction, making it ideal for driveways, road bases, and structural fill. The most common driveway gravel is #57 stone (3/4" to 1" crushed), which compacts well and drains freely. For a proper driveway base, contractors typically use a 3-layer approach: 4-6 inches of #3 stone (1.5-2.5" crusher run) as a foundation, 3-4 inches of #57 stone as the middle layer, and 2-3 inches of #8 or #9 stone (3/8" to 1/2") as the top surface. Each layer is compacted before the next is applied. River rock (1-3" smooth stones) is decorative but too large and smooth for walking surfaces or driveways — it works best in drainage swales, dry creek beds, and ornamental garden borders.
Gravel is sold by weight (tons) or volume (cubic yards), and converting between them requires knowing the material density. Most crushed stone weighs approximately 2,700-2,800 lbs per cubic yard (1.35-1.40 tons). Pea gravel is slightly lighter at 2,500-2,600 lbs/cubic yard. To estimate volume: measure the area in square feet and multiply by the desired depth in feet. A 20' × 40' driveway (800 sq ft) at 4 inches deep (0.333 feet) needs 800 × 0.333 = 266.7 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 9.9 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, that's approximately 13.4 tons. Suppliers typically deliver in full truckloads (10-22 tons depending on the truck) or by the cubic yard for smaller quantities. Always order 10-15% extra to account for uneven ground, settling, and material lost at edges. A common mistake is calculating volume based on exact dimensions without accounting for the flared edges of driveways, turnaround areas, or wider sections at gates and entryways.
Gravel's primary engineering advantage is drainage. Unlike solid surfaces (concrete, asphalt) that channel runoff, gravel allows water to percolate through the surface into the ground — making it increasingly popular as municipalities implement stormwater management regulations. A properly installed gravel driveway with 6-8 inches of compacted base over geotextile fabric handles heavy rain without pooling. French drains use gravel around perforated pipe to collect and redirect subsurface water: the standard configuration is a 12-18 inch wide trench, 18-24 inches deep, lined with landscape fabric, filled with 3/4" washed stone around a 4" perforated PVC pipe, then topped with more stone and folded fabric. The gravel allows water to flow freely to the pipe while the fabric prevents soil from clogging the system. Without the fabric layer, fine soil particles migrate into the gravel within 2-3 years and reduce drainage capacity by 50-70%. For retaining wall backfill, clean 3/4" stone behind the wall with a drain pipe at the footing relieves hydrostatic pressure that would otherwise push the wall forward — the leading cause of retaining wall failure.
Gravel pricing varies significantly by type, region, and delivery distance. Common crushed stone runs $25-50 per ton at the quarry, while decorative stone (Mexican beach pebbles, polished river rock, marble chips) can reach $100-300 per ton. Delivery fees add $50-150 per load depending on distance, and most suppliers set a minimum delivery of 1-5 tons. For small projects under 1 ton, bagged gravel from home improvement stores costs 3-5x more per ton but eliminates delivery fees. Bulk pricing breaks typically occur at 10+ tons and 20+ tons. When planning delivery, ensure the truck can access your property: a standard dump truck is 8 feet wide and 25 feet long, needs 12-14 feet of overhead clearance, and weighs 25-30 tons loaded — soft ground, narrow gates, low tree branches, and weight-restricted roads all create access problems. Request the driver place the pile as close to the work area as possible, because moving gravel by wheelbarrow is labor-intensive: a cubic yard weighs over a ton and requires 15-18 wheelbarrow loads.
→ Order 10% extra. Surface irregularities absorb more than calculated.
→ Compact the base. Crusher run must be compacted in 2" lifts for driveways.
→ Use landscape fabric. Under decorative gravel to prevent weed growth.
→ Get delivery for 3+ tons. Hauling gravel yourself is impractical above small amounts.
See also: Mulch · Concrete · Fence · Deck