How Much Gravel Do I Need for a Driveway?
Whether you are building a new gravel driveway or topping off an existing one, the first question is always: how much stone do I need?
Ordering too little means a second delivery charge. Ordering way too much means a leftover pile and wasted money. Here is how to get it right.
The Formula
Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (ft) / 27 = Cubic Yards
To convert inches to feet for the depth: divide by 12. So 4 inches = 0.33 feet.
Example: A driveway that is 60 feet long, 12 feet wide, and you want 4 inches of new gravel:
60 x 12 x 0.33 / 27 = 8.8 cubic yards
Quick Coverage Chart
| Driveway Size | 3” Deep | 4” Deep | 6” Deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 x 10 ft (200 sq ft) | 1.9 yd | 2.5 yd | 3.7 yd |
| 40 x 10 ft (400 sq ft) | 3.7 yd | 4.9 yd | 7.4 yd |
| 60 x 12 ft (720 sq ft) | 6.7 yd | 8.9 yd | 13.3 yd |
| 80 x 12 ft (960 sq ft) | 8.9 yd | 11.9 yd | 17.8 yd |
| 100 x 12 ft (1,200 sq ft) | 11.1 yd | 14.8 yd | 22.2 yd |
How Deep Should a Gravel Driveway Be?
New driveway from scratch: 6 to 8 inches total depth is standard. This is usually built in layers — a base layer of larger stone (#2 or #4) topped with a driving surface of #53 stone.
Topping off an existing driveway: 2 to 4 inches of fresh #53 on top of the existing surface is typical for an annual or biannual refresh.
Parking pad or turnaround: 4 to 6 inches of #53 is sufficient for areas with lighter traffic.
Add Extra for Compaction
Gravel compacts 20 to 30 percent after installation, especially in the first few weeks of driving on it. Add 10 to 20 percent to your calculated amount to account for this settling.
For the example above (8.8 cubic yards), ordering 10 yards gives you a comfortable buffer.
Weight Considerations
One cubic yard of #53 stone weighs approximately 1.4 tons. A standard pickup truck can safely carry about 1 to 1.5 cubic yards depending on the truck. That 10-yard driveway order weighs roughly 14 tons — well beyond what you can haul yourself.
For anything over 2 to 3 cubic yards, delivery makes more sense than multiple pickup truck loads.
Which Stone for Driveways?
#53 stone is the standard driveway gravel in Indiana. It is crushed limestone with angular edges that interlock and compact into a firm, stable surface. It drains well and holds up to vehicle traffic.
Other options:
- #8 stone — mid-size crushed stone. Sometimes used as a base or for lighter-traffic areas.
- #2 stone — large crushed limestone. Used as a base layer for new driveways before topping with #53.
How to Order
Call (317) 538-7514 with your driveway dimensions and we will calculate the right amount. We deliver across Central Indiana and can typically get material to your site within a day or two of your order. Pickup is also available at our yard on US Highway 40.