Gravel calculator for Utah

For crushed gravel at 2 inches deep, plan on about 116 square feet from one ton. This calculator uses that coverage estimate as its starting point. Enter the length, width, and depth, then choose a material to see cubic yards, tons, and the delivered price. It can also estimate landscape rock, since crushed gravel, #57 stone, and similar products weigh around 2,800 lb per cubic yard.

Calculate the gravel you need

1. Take area measurements in feet. For rectangles, use length and width; for circles, use diameter. Split an L-shaped driveway into two rectangles, then combine the sections with multiple-areas mode.
2. Set the depth in inches. Paths and refreshes use 2-3 inches. For a new driveway, plan 4-6 inches in two layers instead of one pour.
3. To calculate cubic feet, multiply area by depth in feet. Divide that result by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 for tons.

Useful weight and coverage figures

Dry crushed gravel is about 2,800 lb in a cubic yard, which works out to 1.4 tons. One ton, in turn, is about 0.71 cubic yards. Deeper gravel spreads across less area:

Recommended depth by project

• Garden paths and walkways: place 2-3 inches of walkway gravel on compacted ground or fabric.
• Existing driveway refresh: Add 2 inches of fresh surface gravel.
• New driveways: start with 3-4 inches of compacted crusher run, then add 2-3 inches of driveway gravel or #57. The lower layer supports traffic, and the upper layer manages water while providing the finished surface.
• Patios and seating areas: place 2-3 inches within sturdy edging.
• French drains and soggy spots: use 12 inches or more of clean stone. Calculate these with the Stone Calculator because drainage requires washed rock with no fines.

Example: a 50 x 10 ft driveway

At 4 inches total over five hundred square feet: 500 x 0.333 = 167 cubic feet. Dividing by 27 gives 6.2 cubic yards, or 8.7 tons. Include 5% for compaction and order about 9 tons, with roughly 60/40 split between crusher run base and surface gravel. Keeping two layers is important. Measuring precisely will not prevent ruts if a single 2-inch layer goes directly onto dirt.

Common projects, already estimated

Before measuring, these are general estimates based on 1.4 tons per cubic yard:

Four errors behind repeat deliveries

• Leaving out the base under a new driveway. Gravel placed right on soil can rut within a season, so install the base layer before the top gravel.
• Looking only at area when comparing quotes. For the same 20 x 10 pad, bids may differ simply because of depth. Compare equal tonnage instead.
• Plan for 2 inches rather than a thinner layer. One inch of gravel can sink into muddy ground during spring snowmelt.
• Leaving the surface without a crown. Level gravel holds water, but a 2% slope moves it off and helps retain the fines.

Choose gravel for the surface

Crushed, angular gravel packs tightly under vehicle weight, making it a practical choice for areas with traffic. Smooth materials like pea gravel and river rock shift and travel when loaded, so use them for walkways and planting beds. For a durable driveway, combine a compactable layer such as crusher run or road base with a free-draining top layer like driveway gravel or #57. Trying to choose between products or identify material already on the ground? Text a photo to (385) 360-1334 for help identifying it.

Gravel units: yards, tons, and truckloads

The same pile can be measured three ways. A cubic yard measures volume. A ton measures weight at 2,000 lb, equal to about 0.71 yards of gravel. A truckload depends on capacity: 8-10 yards for a single-axle dump truck, or 12-16 yards (17-22 tons) for a tandem. Convert quotes to tons before comparing prices. Focus on the delivered price, since hauling can make up half the aggregate cost. Utah Rock Supply includes free delivery on every order, so the displayed per-ton price is the amount delivered to your driveway.

How to measure unusual driveways

Curved drives and turnarounds can be harder to measure. Tape the centerline of a curved lane and use its average width. For a rounded turnaround, use the widest point as its diameter. On a slope, make the base course deeper at the downhill end, where water and gravel tend to collect. If measuring gets complicated, divide the layout into rectangles and total them in multiple-areas mode.

Prepare for a successful delivery

• Choose the delivery spot before the truck gets there: use firm ground and avoid low wires or septic field crossings.
• Set the pile near the project. One yard takes about 9-14 wheelbarrow loads, and an added 10 feet becomes a lot of extra hauling across 6 yards.
• If gravel will be tipped on pavement you want to protect, put down a tarp. Cleanup can go from an afternoon to ten minutes.
• Before placing the finish layer, compact the base course. A rented plate compactor works well, and truck tires can serve as a backup.

Gravel answers by the numbers

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