PROJECT SUMMARY
Gravel Driveway project summary
Driveway40 × 12 ft · 480 sq ft
- Total stone
- ≈ 17.8 tons
- Depth
- 8" (4+2+2)
- Fabric
- Geotextile included
- Edging
- None
- Use
- Car
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Build time
- 2.5–5.5 days
- Estimated materials
- $607–$873
Gravel Driveway Calculator
Tons of stone, base layers, fabric and cost for a gravel driveway.
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Gravel Driveway calculator
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Advanced optionsfine-tune the details…
Estimates are planning aids, not a professional quote. Double-check quantities and product coverage — and any local code or permit requirements — before you buy.
⚠ Call 811 before excavating, and plan a slight crown or cross-slope so water sheds off the driveway. A new driveway entrance onto a public road often needs a permit and a culvert — check with your local road authority.
Cost breakdown
Material only · national-average rates
| Soil & Fill | $459–$661 |
| Membrane & Fabric | $148–$212 |
| Total | $607–$873 |
Excludes tools, delivery, tax and permit fees. Labor not included — this is a DIY materials estimate.
Shopping list
Every item · grouped by store sectionThese are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the calculator recommends — the shopping list comes from your dimensions, not from what pays.
Membrane & Fabric
- 2× 12.5×100 rollWoven geotextile fabric — separates soil from stone — stops rutting & pumping
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Soil & Fill
- 9× tonsBase course — #2 crushed stone (3") — 4" compacted · ≈ 5.93 cu yd
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- 4.4× tonsMiddle course — #57 clean stone — 2" · ≈ 2.96 cu yd
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- 4.4× tonsTop course — #411 / crusher run — 2" angular driving surface · ≈ 2.96 cu yd
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Tools
✓ required · ○ helpful
- Plate compactor or roller (rental) — compact each lift
- Skid steer / tractor (or strong back + wheelbarrow) — moving stone
- Landscape rake — spreading & grading
- Round-point shovel
- String line & line level — grade and crown
- Utility knife — cutting fabric
- Work gloves
Project notes
- Estimates are a planning aid. Crushed stone is sold by the ton; this uses roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard, but density varies by material and moisture — confirm with your supplier and order a little extra than to come up short.
- Excavate to firm subgrade, lay geotextile fabric, then build the stone up in lifts — a coarse base, an optional clean middle course, and an angular crusher-run top that locks together for a firm driving surface.
- Compact every lift with a plate compactor or roller. Uncompacted stone ruts and shifts; well-compacted stone over fabric is what makes a gravel driveway last.
- Crown the surface slightly (higher in the middle) or cross-slope it so water runs off rather than pooling and washing channels. Plan to top up the surface course every few years.
About this calculator
How to estimate a gravel driveway
Enter your driveway's length, width and total depth and the Gravel Driveway Builder works out exactly how much crushed stone to order — in tons — split across a compacted base, an optional middle course and an angular top course, plus the geotextile fabric and edging, with a cost range and a build time. Stone is sold by the ton, so the takeoff is ready to hand straight to your supplier.
Tell it whether the drive is for a car, two cars, or RVs and trucks, and it adjusts the depth guidance. Open advanced options to set the total depth, add separation fabric and edging, and tune the overage.
Step by step
How to install a gravel driveway
A step-by-step walkthrough to go with your plan above. Follow the product instructions and any local code or permit requirements as you work.
- 1
Mark out and call 811
Stake the driveway and mark the width, then have utilities located before you dig. If you're tying into a public road, check whether you need an entrance permit and a culvert for the ditch.
- 2
Excavate to subgrade
Strip the topsoil and any soft material down to firm subgrade — usually the full stone depth, 8 inches or more. Shape a slight crown or cross-slope now so the finished drive sheds water.
- 3
Roll out the fabric
Lay woven geotextile fabric across the subgrade, overlapping the seams, and run it up the sides a little. This separation layer is what stops the stone from sinking into the soil.
- 4
Build and compact the base
Spread the coarse base stone in lifts no more than a few inches at a time, raking it level, and compact each lift with a plate compactor or roller before adding the next.
- 5
Add the middle course
On deeper drives, add a clean middle course for drainage and compact it. Keep checking your crown so water will run to the edges.
- 6
Top with crusher run
Spread the angular top course — crusher run or #411 — and compact it well. The fines and sharp edges lock together into a firm, car-friendly surface.
- 7
Edge and finish
Add edging along the sides if you want to keep the stone contained, do a final compaction pass, and dress any low spots. Plan to top up the surface course every couple of years.
Equip the job
Recommended gear for this build
Hand-picked categories that match the shopping list above. Links open a current selection so you can compare brands and prices.
These are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the calculator recommends — the shopping list comes from your dimensions, not from what pays.
Membrane & FabricWoven geotextile driveway fabricThe separation layer that keeps stone and soil apart so the drive doesn't rut.
$80–120/roll
ToolsPlate compactor (rental)Compacts each lift of stone so the surface stays firm instead of shifting.
$60–90/day
ToolsLandscape / grading rakeA wide, flat rake makes spreading and leveling stone far faster and more even.
$30–55
Edging & RestraintsLandscape edging + spikesHolds the stone in the driving lane instead of letting it creep into the lawn.
$10–14/8 ft
ToolsMarking paint & string lineLays out the run and the crown so water sheds off the finished surface.
$8–15
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Answers
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4 to get tons, since crushed stone runs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard. A 40×12 driveway at 8 inches deep is about 12 cubic yards, or roughly 16–17 tons. This calculator does the math and splits it across the base, middle and top courses for you.
How deep should a gravel driveway be?
Plan on about 8 inches of compacted stone for normal car traffic, built up in layers over geotextile fabric. Go deeper — 10 to 12 inches — for soft or clay soils, wet climates, or if RVs, trailers or delivery trucks will use it. Depth and compaction, not just the top layer, are what keep a gravel drive firm and rut-free.
What kind of gravel is best?
Use a layered approach: a coarse base stone (like #2 or '3-inch crusher run') for strength, an optional clean middle course for drainage, and an angular crusher-run top (like #411) that locks together into a firm driving surface. Avoid smooth, round 'pea gravel' for the top — it never compacts and just scatters under tires.
Do I need fabric under the gravel?
On almost any soil, yes. A woven geotextile fabric between the subgrade and the stone stops the two from mixing, which is what causes ruts, pumping and the gravel slowly 'disappearing' into the ground. It's inexpensive relative to the stone and dramatically extends how long the driveway lasts before it needs a major top-up.