Gravel calculator for Alaska

For crushed gravel installed 2 inches deep, a ton will cover about 116 square feet. This calculator uses that coverage estimate as its starting point. Provide the length, width, and depth, choose a gravel type, and it calculates cubic yards, tons, and delivered price. It can also be used for landscape rock because crushed gravel, #57 stone, and related materials weigh near 2,800 lb per cubic yard.

Calculating gravel quantities

1. Take all area measurements in feet. For rectangles, use length and width; for circles, use diameter. Break an L-shaped driveway into two rectangles, then use multiple-areas mode to total them.
2. Set the depth in inches. Paths and refresh layers need 2 to 3 inches. Build a new driveway with 4 to 6 inches in two layers instead of one pour.
3. Calculate cubic feet by multiplying area by depth in feet. Divide that result by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 to find tons.

Useful gravel weight and coverage figures

Dry crushed gravel weighs about 2,800 lb per cubic yard, equal to 1.4 tons. One ton therefore equals about 0.71 cubic yards. As depth increases, coverage decreases:

Recommended depths by use

• Garden paths and walkways: place 2 to 3 inches of walkway gravel over compacted ground or fabric.
• Existing driveway resurfacing: apply 2 inches of fresh surface gravel.
• New driveways: begin with 3 to 4 inches of compacted crusher run, then add 2 to 3 inches of driveway gravel or #57. The lower layer supports loads, while the upper layer manages water and provides the finished surface.
• Patios and sitting spaces: use 2-3 inches within sturdy edging.
• French drains and soggy spots: use 12 inches or more of clean stone. Calculate drainage material with the Stone Calculator, as washed rock without fines is required.

Example calculation: 50 x 10 ft driveway

For 500 square feet with a total depth of 4 inches, calculate 500 x 0.333 = 167 cubic feet. Dividing that result by 27 gives 6.2 cubic yards, or 8.7 tons. Include 5% for compaction, bringing the order to about 9 tons, with roughly 60/40 allocated to crusher run base and surface gravel. Keeping the material in two layers is important, particularly where breakup leaves soft ground. A driveway measured closely can still fail if a single 2-inch layer is placed directly over soil.

Common project estimates

Use these preliminary estimates before measuring, based on 1.4 tons per cubic yard:

Four errors that lead to another delivery

• Leaving out the base on a new driveway. Gravel placed directly over soil can rut within a season, especially where muskeg stays soft; install base first and the surface layer second.
• Comparing estimates only by area. Two quotes for an identical 20 x 10 pad may vary solely because the specified depths differ, so compare the tonnage.
• Avoid depths below 2 inches. A shallow gravel layer can disappear into mud by spring breakup.
• Overlooking the crown. Water collects on a level surface, while a 2% slope directs it away and holds fines in place.

Choosing gravel by surface type

Crushed, angular gravel interlocks under traffic, making it the practical choice where tires travel. Rounded materials, including pea gravel and river rock, shift when loaded and suit paths and planting beds better. For a lasting driveway, use a compacting layer below, such as crusher run or road base, and a draining finish layer above, such as driveway gravel or #57. To identify existing stone or compare two options, send a photo through the contact form.

Gravel units: yards, tons and truckloads

The same pile can be described in three units. Cubic yards measure volume. A ton measures weight at 2,000 lb, or about 0.71 yards of gravel. Truckloads depend on capacity: a single-axle dump truck carries 8 to 10 yards, while a tandem carries 12 to 16 yards (17 to 22 tons). Convert quotes to tons before comparing prices. Compare the delivered total, since hauling may make up half the aggregate cost. Every Alaska Rock Supply order includes free delivery, so the listed per-ton price is the amount delivered to your driveway.

How to measure irregular driveways

Curved lanes and turnarounds require a different measuring method. Follow the center of a curved drive with the tape, then use its average width. For a bulb-shaped turnaround, use the widest measurement as its circle diameter. On a slope, increase base depth at the lower end, where water and gravel collect. If the layout is difficult to measure, separate it into rectangles and total them in multiple-areas mode.

Planning a successful delivery

• Plan the drop location before the truck arrives: select firm ground and keep clear of low wires and septic field crossings.
• Set the load down near the project area. Moving a yard by wheelbarrow can mean 9 to 14 trips, and an extra 10 feet adds substantial work across 6 yards.
• For gravel tipped on pavement you want to keep clean, put down a tarp first. Cleanup can go from an afternoon to ten minutes.
• Compact the base layer before placing the surface course. Use a rented plate compactor, or use truck tires when necessary.

Gravel calculations and answers

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