How we got these numbers: area x depth = cubic yards; cubic yards x 1.4 tons per cubic yard (driveway gravel) = tons. Rounded to the nearest half ton, without the optional 10% buffer. Full method.
Tons of gravel by driveway size
| Driveway | Area | Refresh (2 in) | Standard (4 in) | Heavy use (6 in) | Share of an 18-ton truck at 4 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 20 single-car pad | 200 sq ft | 1.5 t | 3.5 t | 5 t | 1/5 |
| 12 x 30 typical driveway | 360 sq ft | 3 t | 6 t | 9.5 t | 1/3 |
| 20 x 24 two-car pad | 480 sq ft | 4 t | 8.5 t | 12.5 t | 1/2 |
| 100 ft x 12 ft | 1,200 sq ft | 10.5 t | 20.5 t | 31 t | 1 1/8 |
| 200 ft x 12 ft | 2,400 sq ft | 20.5 t | 41.5 t | 62 t | 2 1/3 |
How deep should my gravel be?
It depends on the job, so we ask three questions when you measure:
- Refreshing a gravel driveway that's still solid: 1.5 inches on top.
- Refreshing one that's thin or rutted: 2 inches.
- New driveway on dirt or grass, cars only: 4 inches (laid in two lifts if deeper).
- Trucks, RVs, or heavy equipment: 6 inches or more.
Building from scratch with a separate base layer is a bigger project; Hello Gravel's guide explains how deep a gravel driveway should be layer by layer.
Why the size matters more than the formula
Every gravel calculator uses the same formula. The part people get wrong is the area: guessing "about 12 by 50" when the real outline, with flares and the parking spot, is noticeably bigger. That's how second deliveries happen. Trace your driveway and the number starts from your actual outline.
Which gravel?
Most driveways get a crushed, angular driveway gravel on top, sometimes over road base for new builds. For the differences, see Hello Gravel's guide to which gravel to use on a driveway.