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Gravel Driveway Depth and Tonnage

A gravel driveway usually needs a 4-6 inch surface layer plus a 4-6 inch base; gravel on soft soil will sink. Volume in cubic yards equals area times depth in inches divided by 324, and tons are roughly 1.3-1.5 tons per cubic yard depending on stone.

更新 2026-10-30 · 公式可核验

Structure

Base: 4-6 inches of larger crushed stone, compacted.

Surface: 4-6 inches of #57/#21A or similar, depending on use.

Add geotextile or a thicker base on soft or sloped ground.

Tonnage

Calculate cubic yards, then use the supplier's tons per cubic yard.

Compaction reduces volume; order about 10% extra.

FAQ

Is 4 inches enough?

For light foot traffic maybe; cars and trucks need about 6 inches plus a base.

Does it need compaction?

Yes, compact in 2-3 inch lifts.

Sources

Related calculators

Gravel CalculatorEstimate gravel volume, cubic yards and tons from length, width and depth, with a 5 percent waste allowance.

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