How this gravel driveway calculator works
A gravel driveway is three different stones doing three different jobs, and each lift has its own density and price — so the calculator figures them as separate line items on one order:
total = top + base (+ sub-base on soft ground) · each with waste, ¼-ton steps
Worked example: gravel driveway cost for a 50 × 12 drive
600 ft²: the 3 in top course takes 8.25 tons of #57 (≈ $371) and the 4 in base 12.25 tons of crusher run (≈ $429) — 20.5 tons and about $800 in stone on firm ground. Soft ground? A 4 in #3 sub-base adds 11.5 tons and brings it to $1,145.
How much gravel for a driveway by size?
| Driveway | Stone | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 40 × 10 ft | 13.75 t | $536 |
| 50 × 12 ft | 20.5 t | $800 |
| 100 × 12 ft | 41 t | $1,600 |
| 200 × 12 ft | 82 t | $3,200 |
| Lift | Depth | t/yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| #57 top course | 2–3″ | 1.35 |
| Crusher-run base | 4″ | 1.5 |
| #3 sub-base (soft) | 4–6″ | 1.4 |
Gravel driveway FAQ
How much does a gravel driveway cost?
The default 50 × 12 ft drive prices at about $800 in stone — 8.25 tons of #57 top course plus 12.25 tons of crusher-run base. Installed with grading and compaction, gravel driveways typically run $1.25–3 per square foot in 2026, still the cheapest driveway there is.
How much gravel do I need for my driveway?
Figure each lift separately, which is what this calculator does: at 3 in of top over 4 in of base, plan roughly 3.4 tons per 100 ft² of driveway. The default 600 ft² drive totals 20.5 tons across the two lifts with a 10% allowance.
What are the layers of a gravel driveway?
Bottom to top: 4–6 in of #3 stone only where the ground is soft, 4 in of crusher run that compacts into the structural mat, and 2–3 in of clean #57 as the wear surface. Each lift gets compacted before the next goes down.
How thick should a gravel driveway be?
7 inches compacted total on firm ground — the default 3 over 4 — and 11 or more over clay or wet ground once the sub-base joins. A thin single lift is the classic mistake: it ruts the first wet week.
Can I skip the base and just add gravel?
Only when refreshing an existing driveway that already has a sound base — set the base lift to 0 and price the 2 in top-up alone. On new ground, #57 without a compacted base migrates and sinks; the base is the driveway.
Gravel or asphalt driveway?
Gravel wins on price (a fraction of asphalt), repairs (rake and top up), and DIY reach. Asphalt wins on plowing, dust and curb appeal. Same site, both need the identical compacted base — price the blacktop version with the asphalt calculator.
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