Gravel calculator for West Virginia

For planning, use about 116 square feet from a ton of crushed gravel laid 2 inches deep. This calculator starts with that estimate. Choose the material and enter the length, width, and depth to see the delivered price along with tons and cubic yards. It also estimates landscape rock: crushed gravel, #57 stone, and related materials weigh near 2,800 lb per cubic yard.

Calculate the gravel you need

1. Use feet for area measurements. Enter length and width for rectangles, or diameter for circles. Break an L-shaped driveway into two rectangles, then use multiple-areas mode to combine them.
2. Select depth in inches. Paths and refreshes usually use 2-3 inches. A new driveway calls for 4-6 inches in two layers rather than one pour.
3. Find cubic feet by multiplying area by depth in feet. For cubic yards, divide by 27. For tons, use 1.4.

Useful weight and coverage figures

Dry crushed gravel weighs around 2,800 lb for each cubic yard, or 1.4 tons. A ton works out to about 0.71 cubic yards. Deeper gravel covers less area:

Project depth guide

• Paths and walkways: use 2-3 inches of gravel over packed ground or fabric.
• Existing driveway refresh: Add 2 inches of fresh surface gravel.
• For new driveways, compact 3-4 inches of crusher run, then place 2-3 inches of driveway gravel or #57 over it. The bottom course carries the load, while the surface layer drains water and provides the finished look.
• Patios and seating areas: Place 2-3 inches within solid edging.
• French drains and wet areas: plan on 12 inches or more of clean stone. Use the Stone Calculator to size the job, since drain rock should be washed and free of fines.

Example: a 50 x 10 ft driveway

For five hundred square feet at 4 inches overall, 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. That two-course layout is important. Measuring carefully will not help if a single 2-inch layer is placed directly on dirt.

Common projects with estimates

Here are rough figures before measuring, using 1.4 tons per cubic yard:

Four errors that lead to another delivery

• No base on a new driveway. Gravel laid right on soil may rut within a season. Put in the base layer, then add the surface stone.
• Do not compare quotes by square footage alone. The same 20 x 10 pad can have different pricing at different depths, so compare the tons.
• Below 2 inches, gravel is more likely to disappear into mud by spring. A one-inch layer is especially thin.
• No crown. Water stands on a level surface, but a 2% slope moves it off and helps hold fines in place.

Choosing gravel by surface

Crushed gravel has sharp edges that bind together under traffic, making it suited for tire paths. Round materials like pea gravel and river rock move under weight, so use them for beds and walking areas. Build a driveway with a compacting layer below, such as crusher run or road base, and a draining finish above, such as driveway gravel or #57. Need to identify existing stone or choose between materials? Send a photo through the contact form.

How gravel is sold: yards, tons, and loads

One pile has three ways to measure it. A cubic yard measures volume, while a ton is 2,000 lb of weight, or about 0.71 yards of gravel. Truck capacity varies: 8 to 10 yards for one axle and 12 to 16 yards (17 to 22 tons) for a tandem. Put every quote into tons before comparing prices. Compare the delivered total, since hauling can make up half the aggregate cost. West Virginia Rock Supply provides free delivery on every order, so the listed per-ton figure is what reaches your driveway.

How to measure irregular driveways

Measuring curves and turnarounds takes a different approach. Measure a curved lane along its center, then use its average width. For a turnaround bulb, use the widest point as a circle diameter. On a grade, make the base thicker at the downhill side, where water and gravel tend to collect. For an awkward layout, divide the space into rectangles and total it in multiple-areas mode.

Prepare for delivery

• Before the truck gets there, select a firm unloading spot away from low wires and septic field crossings.
• Set the drop point near the job. Moving a yard takes 9 to 14 wheelbarrow loads, so carrying it an extra 10 feet becomes significant across 6 yards.
• For a delivery on pavement you want protected, spread a tarp first. That changes cleanup from an afternoon to ten minutes.
• Pack the base layer before spreading the surface layer. A rented plate compactor works well, or use truck tires if needed.

Gravel answers in numbers

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