Find the exact amount of gravel in cubic yards, tons, and cost for driveways, paths, drainage, and landscaping projects. Works for crushed stone, pea gravel, and base gravel.
Cubic yards, tons & cost
Add 10% waste for gravel projects — spreading losses and compaction can reduce effective coverage.
Gravel is sold by the ton or cubic yard. To find the right amount, calculate your project area in square feet, then multiply by the depth in feet to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards, then convert to tons using your gravel's density.
| Use Case | Depth |
|---|---|
| Driveway base layer | 4–6 inches |
| Walkway / path | 2–3 inches |
| Drainage / French drain | 6–12 inches |
| Garden / decorative | 1–2 inches |
For a 200 ft × 12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep, you need approximately 29 cubic yards or about 40–44 tons of gravel. Always add 10% for compaction and spreading losses.
Crushed stone (also called crush and run or road base) is the most popular driveway gravel because it compacts well and stays in place. Pea gravel is commonly used for decorative paths and drainage. Avoid rounded river rock for driveways — it shifts too easily under vehicle weight.
One cubic yard of crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons (2,800 lbs). Pea gravel is slightly lighter at about 1.35 tons per cubic yard. Exact weight depends on the gravel type and moisture content.
For driveways, lay 4–6 inches of base gravel and 2–3 inches of top gravel. For decorative landscaping, 2 inches is usually enough to cover the ground and suppress weeds. Drainage trenches often need 6–12 inches of coarse gravel.
Most gravel orders come up short because people forget one thing: compaction. When you spread gravel and run a plate compactor over it, the air between the stones gets squeezed out and the volume shrinks. Order based on your raw calculation only and you will be calling the supplier for a second delivery.
Pea gravel, river rock, or decorative stone that is just spread and not plate-compacted. These materials compact very little on their own. Add 5–10% extra to cover spreading losses and uneven ground.
Example: Calculator says 5 tons → Order 5.5 tons
Crusher run, road base, CA6, or dense-grade aggregate that gets plate-compacted or rolled. These materials lose 15–20% of loose volume after compaction. Order at least 20% more than your calculated amount.
Example: Calculator says 5 tons → Order 6–6.5 tons
| Gravel Type | Volume Lost After Compaction | Order This Much Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Crusher Run / Road Base | 20–25% | +20% |
| Crushed Stone (Base Gravel) | 15–20% | +15–20% |
| #57 Clean Stone / Washed Stone | 5–10% | +10% |
| Pea Gravel (decorative) | 5% | +5–10% |
| River Rock (decorative) | Minimal | +5% |
Pro Tip: For driveways, always lay base gravel in 2 to 4 inch lifts and compact each layer before adding the next. Dumping all 6 inches at once and compacting on top does not work — the bottom layer never properly densifies and your driveway will rut in the first wet season.
Gravel prices vary by type, location, and quantity ordered. Buying in bulk by the ton or cubic yard is always cheaper than buying bagged gravel from a hardware store. Prices below are US national averages for 2026 — your local supplier may charge more or less depending on haul distance and regional availability.
| Material | Price per Ton | Price per Cubic Yard | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed Stone / Road Base | $15–$40 | $25–$55 | Driveways, sub-base, road base |
| Crusher Run | $20–$40 | $25–$55 | Driveway base, under pavers, parking areas |
| Pea Gravel | $25–$55 | $30–$65 | Walkways, landscaping, drainage, patios |
| River Rock | $35–$85 | $50–$100 | Decorative landscaping, garden borders, ponds |
| Decomposed Granite | $30–$55 | $40–$75 | Pathways, xeriscaping, patio surfaces |
| White Marble Chips | $50–$90 | $65–$110 | Decorative beds, walkway accents, flower borders |
Most suppliers charge $50–$150 for delivery depending on distance. Many offer free delivery on orders over 10 tons within their standard radius. Always ask before ordering.
Northeast states run 10–25% higher than the national average. Southern states are typically 5–15% lower. Rural areas see higher prices due to longer haul distances from quarries.
A full dump truck load (13–25 tons) costs significantly less per ton than a partial load. A tri-axle load at $35–$50/ton could total $455–$1,250 but saves on delivery per ton.
Gravel suppliers sell by the ton, but plans and calculators often work in cubic yards. Use these tables to convert quickly between volume and weight for any material. Weight varies by material type and moisture content — wet gravel can weigh significantly more than dry.
| Material | Pounds per Yard | Tons per Yard | kg per Yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (¼"–2") | 2,800–3,400 | 1.4–1.7 | 1,270–1,540 |
| Pea Gravel | 2,500–3,000 | 1.25–1.5 | 1,135–1,360 |
| Crushed Stone / Base | 2,800–3,000 | 1.4–1.5 | 1,270–1,360 |
| River Rock (2"–6") | 2,200–2,800 | 1.1–1.4 | 1,000–1,270 |
| Decomposed Granite | 2,700–3,200 | 1.35–1.6 | 1,225–1,450 |
| Sand (dry) | 2,600–3,000 | 1.3–1.5 | 1,180–1,360 |
| Material | Cubic Yards per Ton | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel (¼"–2") | 0.59–0.71 | 1 ton fills about 0.65 cubic yards on average |
| Pea Gravel | 0.67–0.80 | Lighter material, more volume per ton |
| Crushed Stone | 0.67–0.71 | Standard driveway and base material |
| River Rock | 0.71–0.91 | Larger, lighter stones give more volume |
| Decomposed Granite | 0.63–0.74 | Dense material, less volume per ton |
Note on Moisture: Wet gravel can weigh significantly more than dry gravel — a cubic yard of wet crushed stone can weigh up to 3,400 lbs vs 2,800 lbs when dry. When you buy by the ton, wet material gives you fewer cubic yards per ton. If your supplier's stockpile has been sitting in rain, factor this in.