Gravel calculator for Rhode Island

At 2 inches deep, 1 ton of crushed gravel will cover about 116 square feet. This calculator uses that estimate to help settle material quantities before work starts. Add the length, width, and depth, select the gravel, and it returns cubic yards, tons, and a delivered price. It also estimates landscape rock, as crushed gravel, #57 stone, and similar materials weigh close to 2,800 lb per cubic yard.

Calculate the gravel needed for your project

1. Take measurements in feet. For a rectangle, enter length and width; for a circle, enter diameter. Split an L-shaped drive into two rectangles, then use multiple-areas mode to total them.
2. Enter depth in inches. Walkways and surface refreshes use 2-3 inches. Build a new driveway with 4-6 inches in two layers rather than one pour.
3. Do the math: area multiplied by depth in feet equals cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 to get tons.

Useful gravel weight and coverage figures

Dry crushed gravel comes in at roughly 2,800 lb for each cubic yard, equal to about 1.4 tons. In reverse, 1 ton measures around 0.71 cubic yards. As the layer gets deeper, the area covered drops quickly:

Recommended depth by job

• Garden paths and walkways: lay 2-3 inches of walkway gravel over firm ground or fabric.
• Refreshing an existing driveway: Apply 2 inches of fresh surface gravel.
• New driveways: start with 3-4 inches of compacted crusher run, followed by 2-3 inches of driveway gravel or #57. The bottom course supports traffic, and the finish layer handles drainage and appearance.
• Patios and seating areas: Place 2 to 3 inches within solid edging.
• French drains and wet areas: use at least 12 inches of clean stone. Calculate those jobs with the Stone Calculator because drainage calls for washed rock without fines.

Example: a 50 x 10 ft driveway

For five hundred square feet at 4 inches overall: 500 x 0.333 = 167 cubic feet. Divide by 27 for 6.2 cubic yards, or 8.7 tons. Allow 5% for compaction, making the order about 9 tons, split roughly 60/40 between crusher run base and surface gravel. Build it in two layers. A driveway measured precisely can still fail when a single 2-inch layer is placed directly on dirt, especially through deep frost and freeze-thaw cycling.

Common project estimates

Use these rough starting points before measuring, based on 1.4 tons per cubic yard:

Four reasons another delivery may be needed

• Leaving out the base on a new driveway. Gravel spread directly on soil may rut within a season. Install the base layer before the surface layer.
• Comparing bids by square area only. A 20 x 10 pad can need different amounts based on depth, so put quotes on the same ton basis.
• A layer under 2 inches is light for Rhode Island freeze-thaw conditions. One inch of gravel can settle into soft ground by spring.
• Leaving the surface without a crown. Flat gravel holds water, while a 2% slope directs it away and helps keep fines in place.

Choosing gravel for each surface

For areas carrying vehicle traffic, use angular crushed gravel because it interlocks when compacted. Round material such as pea gravel and river rock shifts under tires, making it better suited to walkways and planting beds. A durable driveway commonly uses a compactable lower layer, like crusher run or road base, beneath a free-draining top layer such as driveway gravel or #57. If you are trying to identify two options or match the stone already installed, text a photo to (401) 210-4557 for help identifying it.

How gravel is measured and sold

The same pile can be measured three ways. Cubic yards show volume, while a ton is 2,000 lb of weight, or about 0.71 yards of gravel. Load size depends on the truck: a single-axle dump truck carries 8 to 10 yards, while a tandem holds 12 to 16 yards (17 to 22 tons). Put all quotes into tons before comparing prices. Look at the delivered amount, since hauling can account for half the cost of aggregate. Every order includes free delivery, so the per-ton price shown is the amount delivered to your driveway.

How to measure irregular driveways

Measuring curves and turnarounds takes a different approach. For a curved drive, measure its centerline and use the average width. Use the widest point of a turnaround bulb as its circle diameter. On a slope, make the base deeper at the downhill end, where runoff and gravel collect. For an awkward layout, divide the area into rectangles and total them in multiple-areas mode.

Preparing for delivery

• Plan the delivery spot before the truck arrives. Use solid ground, and keep clear of low wires and septic field crossings.
• Have the load placed near the work area. One yard of gravel takes 9 to 14 wheelbarrow trips, and an extra 10 feet matters when moving 6 yards.
• For a pavement drop you want to protect, put down a tarp. It can cut cleanup from an afternoon to ten minutes.
• Pack the base course before adding the top course. A rented plate compactor is inexpensive, though truck tires can do the job in a pinch.

Gravel answers by measurement

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