Quick answer
A gravel driveway needs a 4–6 inch compacted base of #57 crushed stone plus a 1–2 inch surface layer. A standard 2-car driveway (600 sq ft) costs $900–$1,800 installed. Order 25–30% more than the compacted target volume because loose gravel compacts about 20%.
Gravel driveway layers explained
A durable gravel driveway is built in layers, not a single dump of stone:
| Layer | Material | Depth | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subgrade | Compacted native soil | Flat, graded | Foundation |
| Base | #57 crushed stone | 4–6 in compacted | Load bearing |
| Surface | #411 or crusher run | 1–2 in | Smooth driving surface |
| Optional top | Pea gravel | 1 in | Decorative finish |
The base layer carries the load and must be compacted in 2-inch lifts. The surface layer uses smaller stone with fines that lock together for a smoother driving surface. Skip the surface layer only for low-traffic rural driveways.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Depth depends on traffic and soil:
- Light traffic (cars only): 4-inch base + 1-inch surface = 5 inches total.
- Standard residential: 6-inch base + 2-inch surface = 8 inches total.
- Heavy vehicles or soft soil: 8-inch base + 2-inch surface = 10 inches total.
Because loose gravel compacts about 20%, order 25% more than the compacted target. A 6-inch compacted base needs about 7.5 inches of loose stone.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Calculate each layer separately:
- Measure length × width in feet for the driveway area.
- Multiply by base depth in feet ÷ 27 for cubic yards of base.
- Add 25% for compaction — this is your base order.
- Multiply area by surface depth ÷ 27 for surface cubic yards.
- Multiply total cubic yards by 1.4 for tons (typical gravel density).
Example: A 20 × 30 driveway (600 sq ft) at 6-inch base: 600 × 0.5 = 300 cu ft ÷ 27 = 11.1 cu yd × 1.25 (compaction) = 13.9 cu yd base. Surface at 2 inches: 600 × 0.167 = 100 cu ft ÷ 27 = 3.7 cu yd. Total: ~17.6 cu yd = about 25 tons.
Gravel driveway cost
| Driveway size | Sq ft | Material cost | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single (10 × 20) | 200 | $300–$600 | $400–$900 |
| Standard (12 × 30) | 360 | $540–$1,080 | $700–$1,600 |
| Long (12 × 50) | 600 | $900–$1,800 | $1,200–$2,500 |
| 2-car (20 × 30) | 600 | $900–$1,800 | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Large (20 × 50) | 1000 | $1,500–$3,000 | $2,000–$4,000 |
Costs assume $1.50–$3.00 per sq ft installed, including grading, base, surface, and compaction. DIY material-only costs about half. Gravel is the cheapest driveway option — asphalt runs $3–$7/sq ft and concrete $4–$15/sq ft.
Best gravel for driveways
| Gravel type | Best use | Cost per ton |
|---|---|---|
| #57 crushed stone | Base layer | $15–$35 |
| #411 (with fines) | Surface layer | $15–$30 |
| Crusher run | Base + surface | $15–$30 |
| Pea gravel | Decorative top (not base) | $25–$50 |
| River rock | Not recommended (shifts) | $30–$75 |
The key is angular crushed stone — the jagged edges lock together when compacted. Smooth river rock shifts under tires and is not suitable for driveways. Crusher run (a mix of stone and fines) makes an excellent surface because the fines compact into a hard, smooth layer.
Gravel driveway maintenance
- Re-grade annually: Use a box blade or grader to restore the crown (center 1 inch higher than edges for drainage).
- Add gravel every 2–3 years: The surface thins over time as stone migrates and embeds. Add 1–2 inches of fresh surface gravel.
- Fill potholes immediately: Remove loose material, add crushed stone, and compact with a tamper. Ignored potholes grow.
- Control weeds: Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in spring, or use landscape fabric under the base layer during construction.
- Manage dust: Apply calcium chloride or a magnesium chloride dust suppressant annually on dry driveways.
Frequently asked questions
Related calculators
Calculate exactly how much gravel you need with our gravel calculator. For the cubic-yard math, use the cubic yard calculator. For converting tons to cubic yards, see the tons to cubic yards converter.