12×20 driveway
A single-car 12×20 ft driveway at 4 in deep needs about 3.3 cubic yards — roughly 4.6 tons of gravel. Most yards sell this by the ton, so order about 5 tons.
Inputs
4 in minimum for driveways
Extra for compaction and spread
How it's calculated
tons = (length × width × depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27) × 1.4
Gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. For a drivable surface, spread at least 4 inches; 2–3 inches is enough for a walk path or fill.
Ordering by area and forgetting depth. A driveway at 4 in needs roughly a third more stone than the same footprint at 3 in — always price the full depth.
Cost to Build a Fence
Frequently asked
- How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
- About 1.4 tons per cubic yard for typical crushed stone, though it ranges from 1.3 to 1.5 tons depending on the stone type and moisture.
- How deep should gravel be for a driveway?
- Plan for at least 4 inches of gravel over a compacted base for a drivable surface. Heavier traffic or soft soil calls for 6 inches or a layered base.
- How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
- At 2 inches deep, one ton covers roughly 100 square feet. At 4 inches it covers about 50 square feet.
- Should I order by the yard or the ton?
- Bulk gravel is usually priced and delivered by the ton. Calculate cubic yards for volume, then multiply by 1.4 to order the right tonnage.
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