Gravel calculator for Minnesota
Find the cubic yards and tons needed for a gravel or landscape rock job, choose the right product, and have it delivered free.
Enter your project dimensions
At 2 inches deep, crushed gravel covers roughly 116 square feet per ton. That coverage estimate is the basis for this calculator. Provide the length, width, and depth, choose the gravel type, and it will show cubic yards, tons, and a delivered price. Landscape rock can be calculated here as well: crushed gravel, #57 stone, and related materials weigh around 2,800 lb for each cubic yard.
Calculate the gravel you need
- Take measurements in feet. For a rectangle, enter length and width; for a circle, use its diameter. Divide an L-shaped driveway into two rectangles, then use multiple-areas mode to combine them.
- Choose the depth in inches. Use 2 to 3 inches for paths and top-ups. Build a new driveway in two layers totaling 4 to 6 inches, rather than placing one layer.
- Calculate cubic feet by multiplying area by depth in feet. For cubic yards, divide by 27; for tons, multiply by 1.4.
Tons = cubic yards × 1.4 (crushed gravel at ~2,800 lb per cubic yard)
Weight and coverage figures to keep
Dry crushed gravel has a weight of about 2,800 lb per cubic yard, or 1.4 tons. In reverse, 1 ton comes to about 0.71 cubic yards. As the layer gets deeper, it covers less area:
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | ≈ 116 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | ≈ 77 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | ≈ 58 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | ≈ 39 sq ft |
| Material | Weight per cubic yard | Tons per yard |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway / walkway gravel | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Pea gravel (3/8") | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Crushed stone (#57, 3/4") | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Crusher run / road base | ≈ 3,000 lb | 1.50 |
| River rock (1-3") | ≈ 2,700 lb | 1.35 |
Project depth guide
- Garden paths and walkways: use 2 to 3 inches of walkway gravel on compacted ground or fabric.
- Existing driveway refresh: spread 2 inches of fresh surface gravel.
- New driveways: install 3 to 4 inches of compacted crusher run, followed by 2 to 3 inches of driveway gravel or #57. The lower course carries the load, while the surface layer helps drain water and provides the finished look.
- Patios and sitting spaces: use 2 to 3 inches within firm edging.
- French drains and wet areas: allow 12 inches or more of clean stone. Use the Stone Calculator for these projects because drainage calls for washed rock with no fines.
Example calculation: a 50 x 10 ft driveway
For 500 square feet at a total depth of 4 inches, the calculation is 500 x 0.333 = 167 cubic feet. Dividing by 27 gives 6.2 cubic yards, equal to 8.7 tons. Include 5% for compaction and plan for about 9 tons, with about a 60/40 division of crusher run base and surface gravel. Keep the base and surface as separate layers. With deep frost, a single 2-inch layer placed directly on dirt is not a suitable driveway base.
Common projects, already calculated
Use these preliminary estimates before measuring, based on 1.4 tons per cubic yard:
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-car driveway pad | 20 x 10 ft | 4" | 2.5 yd³ | 3.5 tons |
| Two-car driveway | 24 x 20 ft | 4" | 5.9 yd³ | 8.3 tons |
| Country driveway | 50 x 12 ft | 6" | 11.1 yd³ | 15.6 tons |
| Garden path | 20 x 3 ft | 3" | 0.6 yd³ | 0.8 tons |
| Patio seating area | 12 x 12 ft | 3" | 1.3 yd³ | 1.9 tons |
| Shed base | 10 x 12 ft | 4" | 1.5 yd³ | 2.1 tons |
Four causes of extra deliveries
- No base under a new driveway. Gravel placed over soil alone can rut within a season, so put in the base layer before the surface layer.
- Comparing estimates only by area. The same 20 x 10 pad can have different depths, so compare quotes using equal tons.
- Using less than 2 inches. By spring, one inch of gravel can vanish into mud.
- Leaving out the crown. Water collects on a level surface; a 2% slope carries it away and helps retain the fines.
Match gravel to the surface
Because angular crushed gravel compacts and interlocks under traffic, use it where vehicles travel. Round materials such as pea gravel and river rock shift under weight, making them better suited to walkways and planting beds. A durable driveway uses a compactable layer below, like crusher run or road base, with a draining top layer such as driveway gravel or #57. If you are comparing materials or trying to identify what is already installed, text a photo to (651) 376-4294 for help identifying it.
How gravel is sold: yards, tons, and truckloads
The same pile can be described in three units. Cubic yards measure volume. A ton is 2,000 lb by weight, equal to about 0.71 yards of gravel. A truckload depends on capacity: a single-axle dump truck holds 8 to 10 yards, while a tandem holds 12 to 16 yards (17 to 22 tons). Convert quotes to tons before comparing prices. Compare the delivered amount only. Hauling may account for half the aggregate cost; Minnesota Rock Supply includes free delivery on every order, so the per-ton price is the price at your driveway.
How to measure irregular driveways
Measure curved lanes from the center of the drive, then use the average width. A turnaround bulb can be treated as a circle by measuring its widest point as the diameter. On a slope, make the base course thicker at the downhill end because that is where water and gravel collect. For difficult layouts, separate the space into rectangles and combine them in multiple-areas mode.
Prepare for delivery
- Choose the drop location before the truck arrives. It needs firm ground and should avoid low wires and septic field crossings.
- Set the load down as near to the project as possible. Moving a yard takes 9 to 14 wheelbarrow trips, so an extra 10 feet adds considerable work when handling 6 yards.
- If gravel is being tipped on pavement you want to protect, place a tarp underneath. Cleanup can go from an afternoon to ten minutes.
- Compact the base course before placing the surface course. A plate compactor can be rented, or truck tires can help when needed.
Gravel answers by the numbers
What area does 1 ton of gravel cover?
How can I calculate the gravel I need?
What gravel amount covers a 10x10 area?
How many gravel yards equal a ton?
What is the size of a gravel truckload?
What does a yard of gravel cost?
Do I need extra material for compaction?
Can gravel be placed directly over grass?
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Free delivery applies to that tonnage.
Order driveway gravel, #57, or crusher run by the ton with delivery throughout Minnesota.
