How Much Gravel Do You Need for a Driveway?
A simple way to estimate tons and cubic yards for a gravel driveway, the conversion we use, and a few ordering tips.
June 12, 2026 · David Bowers · 2 min read
Ordering gravel is mostly arithmetic. If you can measure the area and pick a depth, you can get a solid estimate in a couple of minutes. Here is the method we use when a customer calls.
Start with the area
Measure the length and width of the driveway in feet and multiply them for the square footage. For a fresh gravel surface, a 4-inch depth is a good default; for a new base over bare ground, plan on more.
Convert to cubic yards
Multiply square footage by the depth in feet (4 inches is 0.33 ft), then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Example: a 50 x 12 ft driveway at 4 inches is 600 sq ft x 0.33 = 198 cubic feet, divided by 27 is about 7.3 cubic yards.
Cubic yards to tons
Most stone runs about 1.2 tons per cubic yard, which is roughly 0.83 cubic yards per ton. So those 7.3 cubic yards come out near 9 tons. Our quote builder does this conversion for you and lets you order in tons or cubic yards.
A few ordering tips
- Round up a little — it is better to have an extra few hundred pounds than to come up short.
- Compaction matters: freshly spread gravel settles, so a slightly heavier order pays off.
- For a long driveway, a base layer of ABC under a #57 or #67 topping wears far better than a single loose layer.
Which stone should you use?
ABC (aggregate base course) packs hard and makes a great base. For the driving surface, #57 and #67 are popular all-purpose choices. If you want a finer, more finished look, #78M is smaller and tighter.
Not sure what fits your job? Start a quote and we will confirm the right material and a delivered price for your address.