
Full Answer
How much does it cost to build a gravel driveway?
A gravel driveway costs as little as $300 or as much as $60,000 for an extra-long driveway. The average cost for a 16- by 38-foot gravel driveway is $1,500. By Katie Flannery | Updated Apr 6, 2022 ...
What is the best stone for a driveway?
Types of Driveway Gravel
- Limestone. Limestone is the most common type of gravel or crushed stone you’ll find in the United States. ...
- Granite. Crushed granite is not as commonly used for driveways as limestone, but it is a distant second runner up.
- Shale. ...
- Marble Chips. ...
- Recycled Asphalt. ...
- Crushed Concrete. ...
- Seashells. ...
How much do pavers cost for driveway?
Written by HomeAdvisor. Driveway pavers cost between $10 and $50 per square foot. Assuming a standard 16-by-38-foot surface area, the total cost ranges between $6,100 and $30,400, or $17,000 on average. Depending on the exact material and location, that price can increase to $80 per square foot, or $49,000 total.
What are the best cheap driveway options?
What is the cheapest paving option?
- As a natural stone, any cheap paving slabs are quarried from the ground in much the same way that any premium options are. …
- Kotah Black Indian Limestone. …
- Autumn Brown Indian Sandstone. …
- Raj Green Indian Sandstone.

How much should a gravel driveway cost?
Multiply the length and the width of the driveway to find the square footage: 16 feet x 38 feet = 608 square feet. To find the total cubic feet, multiply the total depth (1 foot) by the area (608 square feet) to get the total volume of gravel needed (608 cubic feet).
What is the cheapest gravel for a driveway?
Cheapest gravel for driveways. The cheapest gravel for driveways is crusher run, crushed shells, crushed concrete, slate chips, recycled asphalt, and pea gravel, which all cost $15 to $30 per yard, or less than $1 per square foot when purchased in bulk from a quarry.
What size gravel is best for driveways?
around ¼”-1”The ideal gravel size is around ¼”-1” and selecting gravel that is not too large and flat, or too large and roundish will ensure you better results and less issues and a better surface. Most commonly used is 57 Granite, Crusher run, Small pea gravel and even Alabama Path Stone.
Is 2 inches of gravel enough for a driveway?
Gravel should be a minimum of 4-inches deep. The smaller the gravel, the more even the coverage will be. If rocks are on the larger side, allow for an additional 1/2 inch.
How much gravel do I need for a 200 foot driveway?
A 200 foot driveway would need approximately 30.86 tons gravel. A 250 foot driveway would need approximately 38.58 tons gravel.
How many square feet will 5 tons of gravel cover?
How many square feet will 5 tons of gravel cover:– typically, 5 tons of gravel will cover approximately 540 square feet or 60 square yards or 50 square meters area for standard 2 inch depth. A ton of gravel cover around 108 sq ft, so 5 tons of gravel = 108 × 5 = 540 sq ft coverage.
What kind of gravel should I put in my driveway?
Among the other options are crushed stone #411, quarry process, pea gravel, jersey shore gravel, marble chips, and river rock. These are the best options for driveway surfaces gravel, because they are small stones combined with rock dust, which makes a more solid driving surface.
What area does a ton of gravel cover?
approximately 14 square metersA driveway should be at least 50mm deep, so one ton would cover approximately 14 square meters.
How do you lay gravel on a driveway?
DIY Gravel Driveway Installation in 8 Simple StepsMark Out the Path of the Driveway. ... Clear Grass and Topsoil. ... Calculate Amount of Gravel Needed. ... Schedule Gravel Delivery. ... Level the Path of the Driveway. ... Spread and Compact the Base Layer. ... Spread Middle Layer of Gravel. ... Spread and Smooth Top Layer.
How many tons of gravel are in a dump truck load?
A typical gravel dump truck is 12 to 20 tons payload. A 10-wheel dump truck carries 12 to 20 tons of gravel or around 8 to 10 yards depending on the rock size and type. Smaller dump trucks can manage about 13,000 pounds to 15,000 pounds or 6.5 to 7.5 tons.
What depth should gravel Be?
What depth of gravel do I need? You would usually lay a 10mm aggregate at a depth of 30-40mm, but on a driveway this would need to be at least 50mm. A 20mm aggregate would need to be at least 40-50mm deep, and at least 50-60mm on driveways. A larger aggregate will settle and bond together better than smaller ones.
How do I calculate how much gravel I need?
Measure the length and width of the area in feet and multiply the figures together. Multiply your area figure by the depth of gravel that you wish to use, ensuring your measurement is also in feet. If your depth is in inches, divide it by 12 first. You now have a cubic feet volume figure.
What is the least expensive driveway material?
gravelOf the four paving materials described in this guide, aggregate (gravel) is the least expensive, followed by asphalt, concrete, and paving stones. If you're installing your driveway on a shoestring budget, gravel is your best choice. If you have more wiggle room, you'll have more choice.
What is the cheapest material to make a driveway?
The cheapest material for a driveway is gravel. There are many gravel options that you can choose from and the cheapest ones include crushed shells, crusher run, crushed concrete, recycled asphalt, and slate chips.
What is the cheapest way to do your driveway?
A gravel driveway is by far the cheapest and quickest to install, especially if the existing driveway's sub-base is sound.
What is the best base for a gravel driveway?
The bottom layer should be comprised of stone (6” crushed rock) or consider 6” recycled concrete. The ideal thickness of each layer is between 4 to 6 inches. The middle layer should also be angular stones about 2” to 3” in diameter such as our #2 Bluestone.
How much does a gravel driveway cost?
A gravel driveway costs as little as $300 or as much as $60,000 for an extra-long driveway . The average cost for a 16- by 38-foot gravel driveway is $1,500. A gravel driveway can be a functional, budget-friendly feature for any home. If you’re interested in an alternative to an asphalt or concrete driveway, gravel may be the way to go.
How much does it cost to build a gravel driveway?
Professionals recommend the minimum depth of a gravel driveway be 4 inches. The average price for a single-car driveway ranges from $360 to $900, and a parking stall can cost between $400 and $600. A single-car turnaround runs approximately $400 to $600, and a two-car turnaround is $800 to $1,200. A two-car driveway can cost between $1,000 to $2,200, and a three-car driveway can run from $1,500 to $3,000.
How much does pea gravel cost?
Crushed clamshells or plain pea gravel costs around $40 per cubic yard or $50 per ton. If you buy pea gravel in bulk, you may qualify for a discount. Crushed stone runs approximately $55 per cubic yard and $65 per ton. Colored gravel can add an extra $20 to $50 per unit.
What is the best gravel driveway base?
Along with base #1, base gravel #3 is considered one of the best gravel driveway bases. Item #4 is another standard base layer for gravel driveways. Item #4 is usually made of crushed gravel, dirt, and sand, but it can sometimes contain recycled asphalt, bluestone, or limestone. Item #4 costs between $12 and $22 a ton.
How to calculate the square footage of a gravel driveway?
Add the depth of each 4-inch layer together (4+4+4) to get 12 inches or 1 foot. Multiply the length and the width of the driveway to find the square footage: 16 feet x 38 feet = 608 square feet. To find the total cubic feet, multiply the total depth (1 foot) by the area (608 square feet) to get the total volume of gravel needed (608 cubic feet). Once you have this number, you can consider the types of gravel available and estimate the gravel driveway cost.
Why does the price of a new gravel driveway change?
This price can change because of local labor costs, the difficulty of the job, and the geographic area. Labor rates typically include the cost of supplies and equipment, but check with your contractor. If the new gravel driveway is replacing a paved driveway, prepare to pay more for removal.
How much does gravel cost per square foot?
There are several different types of material for a driveway and the price can run between $0.40 and $2 per square foot. The gravel material is usually priced by the cubic yard or by the ton.
How do I figure out how many tons of gravel I need?
To determine how many tons of gravel you need, you would first find out what the square footage of your project is by multiply the length by width by depth.
How To Convert Cubic Feet Into Tons
If your supplier sells materials such as gravel and aggregate by the ton, you would calculate the tons needed by dividing cubic feet by 21.6 (the amount of cubic feet in a ton).
How Much Does A Cubic Yard Of Gravel Weigh
One cubic yard of gravel can weigh between 2,400 to 2,900 lbs. One U.S. ton equals 2000 pounds, so a cubic yard of gravel could weigh up to one and a half tons. On average there are .8 yards in a ton.
Some Quick Gravel Driveway Basics
There are a lot of crushed aggregate size and color options for a driveway. The best size gravel for a driveway is a minimum of 3/8″, which should be large enough to prevent gravel from lodging into vehicle tire grooves. Smaller gravel sizes are better for sub-bases.
How much gravel do I need for a 2 car driveway?
According to Reference.com, the average single-car driveway is 10 feet wide by 20 feet long. The average double car driveway is 20 feet wide by 20 feet long.
How wide should a driveway be?
A gravel driveway should be at least 10 feet wide. If you will be pulling a trailer or driving heavy equipment you will want the gravel driveway to be at least 12 feet wide, if not wider.
How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway?
A gravel driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot to install. A 12×25 (1-car) gravel driveway costs $300 to $900, and a 24×24 (2-car) driveway is $600 to $1,800. Costs depend on the size and depth, gravel type, soil conditions, labor, excavation, grading, permits, and optional grid stabilization.
How much does a white gravel driveway cost?
A white gravel driveway costs $2.77 to $4.80 per square foot, $30 to $120 per cubic yard, or $20 to $100 per ton for less-expensive white stones up to 1". A white rock driveway is available in crushed granite, white quartz blends, limestone, and sometimes pea gravel. White gravel shimmers in the light, and can cause a glare on sunny days.
How much gravel does a HDPE grid need?
HDPE plastic rings connected by an interlocking geogrid structure allow for a 1" gravel fill and require 0.66 cubic yards of gravel per 100 square feet of grid.
What is the best driveway for long driveways?
Gravel driveways are a popular paving choice for long driveways because it's cheaper than asphalt and concrete, comes in many colors, eco-friendly, and adds curb appeal.
How much does gravel cost?
Gravel prices for a driveway range from $10 to $50 per ton or $15 to $75 per yard depending on the rock type, volume ordered, and delivery fees. When including delivery, spreading, and compacting, driveway stone and rock costs $100 to $120 per ton installed.
How much does it cost to build a crushed limestone driveway?
A crushed limestone driveway costs $1.50 to $2 per cubic foot , $40 to $54 per cubic yard, or $30 to $38 per ton for up to 1" stones. Crushed stone gravel can come in any color, though most popular crushed stone blends are in neutral, earth-toned colors.
How much does gravel cost per square foot?
White gravel shimmers in the light, and can cause a glare on sunny days. Black gravel driveway rocks from 0.50" to 1" in size cost $3 to $10 per square foot, $96 to $140 per cubic yard, or $76 to $85 per ton. Black lava rocks are the most common and affordable, while true-black granite chips are rare.
How much does gravel cost?
Gravel costs $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot, $40 per yard, or $30 per ton on average. White or black colored gravel such as ballast lime-rock, white limestone, or lava rock costs $120+ per ton, or $3 to $10 per cubic foot when ordered in small quantities.
How much does it cost to install gravel?
Gravel prices average $60 to $75 per yard or $1 to $3 per square foot for the gravel, delivery, and spreading. A 4×20 gravel walkway costs $250 installed, a 10×20 gravel patio or landscaping costs $450, and a gravel driveway costs $600 to $1,800 to install.
How much does bluestone gravel cost?
Crushed bluestone gravel rock costs $52 per ton or $74 per yard when picked up from a local quarry. Prices can double when you include delivery charges. Larger sizes of decorative-quality bluestone gravel cost up to $155 per cubic yard or $109 per ton when you purchase at least 5/8 of a cubic yard from a quarry.
How much does caliche rock cost?
Caliche rock costs $45 to $100 per ton and $30 to $80 per cubic yard. A Caliche driveway costs $1.17 to $6.62 per square foot. Caliche can mean higher-quality limestone and calcite rock, like decorative Arizona gravel. Caliche is a natural stone that's grey or with pale salmon to pinkish-brown or reddish hues.
How much does crushed stone cost?
Bulk crushed stone and gravel prices are $10 to $50 per ton on average. Road base costs $18 to $30 per ton, and plain pea gravel or limestone costs $28 to $45 per ton. Buying gravel in small quantities costs over $100 per ton. It takes 1.4 tons of stone per cubic yard.
How many yards of crushed stone per 100 square feet?
Gravel can also be used as a base for roads, ground cover, or landscaping material. Estimate 3.7 cubic yards of crushed stone per 100 square feet of coverage 12-inches deep (cubic foot).
How much does it cost to haul a truck load of gravel?
A truck load of gravel costs $1,350 or more with a 10-yard minimum, including delivery and spreading based on the rock type, amount, truck size (double or tri-axle), and travel distance. Most rock-fill jobs use a 3-man crew plus a tractor for $46 per hour that spread 12 cubic yards per hour.
How to calculate how much gravel do you need?
We know that estimating the amount of gravel you will require when redesigning your driveway can be difficult.
How does our gravel calculator work?
Our calculator first works out the area and volume of the driveway base from the measurements you provide.
What if my measurements are in different units?
If you look back through our examples above, you’ll notice that we change between tonnes, cubic feet, cubic yards, pounds and so on (e.g. density is in pounds per cubic feet and volume is given in cubic yards of gravel ).
What is gravel made of?
Basically gravel is a mixture of sand and stone. It can be limestone, quarz or granite. Gravel comes is many shapes and colors. Gravel is dug up from sand mines or broken down in quarrys. Sand mine and rock quarrys are areas where there are large quantities of gravel and stone close the earths surface.
What is the best material for drainage?
Limerock mixed with cheap gravel is ideal course material for drainage in garden beds and potted plants. Its weight acts as a ballast to keep pots stable, and limerock neutralizes acid in the soil for happy plants. Crushed rock, mixed gravel, pea gravel, and limestone are all perfect for ground cover or inclusion in a stone graden or aggregates. Not only are they lovely, they will not need to be replaced year after year. So while the stone price or gravel price may be higher when you first buy gravel, it is more cost effective in the long run.
Is gravel a good landscaping tool?
For most of us, thinking about landscaping brings images of plants, water features, and mulch to mind. Gravel is not something many think of as a landscaping tool, which is a shame because it is an attractive, versatile, and cost effective option.
Is bulk gravel good for driveways?
If driveway gravel is not for you, bulk gravel is still useful as the baserock for paved areas.
How much is a yard of gravel?
To calculate the weight of the material, you simply have to multiply the volume by the density. Fortunately you don't have to remember the density of gravel - our calculator sets this value for you by default. Of course, if you decide to use some unusual aggregate, change the density as you need; this function is available in the Advanced mode.
How much gravel do I need?
Step one is establishing the volume of gravel needed. It is equal to the volume of an excavation, and you can do it in the following way:
How to calculate the volume of gravel needed?
You can calculate the required volume of gravel by multiplying the gravel path area by the desired thickness:
How to find area of excavation?
Calculate the area of the excavation, multiplying the length and width together. In our case, A = 6 * 3 = 18 yd². You can also type the area of the excavation directly into the gravel estimator if you choose to excavate a more sophisticated shape. We've got calculators to help you find the areas of many geometric figures like triangles or pentagons. For even more examples, visit the 2d geometry section of our math calculators page.
What is the volume of gravel required?
The volume of gravel required is equal to the volume of excavation. Our gravel calculator will display this value for you.
What are some examples of angular gravel?
Examples of angular types of gravel are decomposed granite, lava rock, and quartzite. Color – this is an important attribute of landscape gravel, as it needs to fit your personal taste and the environment – the style in which your house and yard are designed.
Is it a good idea to lay gravel on multiple layers?
Furthermore, the thicker gravel layer will be, the longer it will last and the more resilient to wind, heavy raining or your children and pets 😉 it will be. Keep in mind that it may be a good idea to lay multiple layers of different types of gravel, as we have mentioned in the previous paragraph.
What is gravel driveway?
A gravel driveway is composed of several layers of different sizes of gravel. As a layer is put down, it is set with a mechanical tamper before another level is put down. The different levels of gravel serve different purposes such as providing drainage, strength, and degree of compaction.
How Much Gravel Will you Need?
Before purchasing gravel for your driveway there are some things that you need to consider.
Why is a driveway more practical?
This driveway is more practical for flat land with no appreciable gradient because when these types of driveways are built on a slope, they may erode because of rainwater. For maximum adhesion, specify uncleaned gravel so it will bind the gravel into a solid surface.
What is the difference between pea gravel and river rock?
The one difference between pea gravel and river rock is that pea gravel does not have the vehicle instability like river rock. Because they are round they do not interlock like crushed stone usually does. This seems to be a better drain rock than quarry.
What is the top layer of a gravel?
Top layer using smaller gravel: This layer is #57 angular gravel; it is about the size of a nickel. Since this gravel is smaller than the middle gravel it will also seat well between and against both the larger gravels. This size contains rock dust.
Why is round gravel not used?
You do not want to use round gravel because it does not bind together. Under the weight of the vehicles on the driveway, the round gravel will move easily. With angular gravel, it is produced by a rock-crushing machine just for construction purposes. This gravel will have many flat surfaces on each piece.
What is pea gravel?
Pea gravel: This gravel is generally three-eighths of an inch and soft to the touch. This is to its smooth and rounded sides. They are naturally weathered and comes in a variety of colors, including neutral like gray or brown. It is generally multicolored in appearance.
