Gravel calculator for Illinois

For crushed gravel placed 2 inches deep, One ton will cover about 116 square feet. This calculator uses that coverage rate as its starting point. Provide the length, width, and depth, select the gravel type, and it returns cubic yards, tons, and a delivered price. It also applies to landscape rock, as crushed gravel, #57 stone, and similar materials are generally close to 2,800 lb per cubic yard.

Calculate your gravel quantity

1. Record dimensions in feet. Rectangles need length and width, while circles use the diameter. Break an L-shaped driveway into two rectangles and combine the results with multiple-areas mode.
2. Choose the depth in inches. Paths and refresh layers usually use 2 to 3 inches. For a new driveway, place 4 to 6 inches in two layers rather than one pour.
3. Calculate cubic feet by multiplying area by depth in feet. Divide the result by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 to estimate tons.

Useful weight and coverage reference

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

Recommended depths by use

• Garden paths and walkways: use 2 to 3 inches of walkway gravel over compacted ground or fabric.
• Existing driveway renewal: use 2 inches of added surface gravel.
• New driveways: install 3 to 4 inches of compacted crusher run as the first layer, followed by 2 to 3 inches of driveway gravel or #57. The lower course carries the load, and the upper course directs water away while providing the finished appearance.
• Patios and sitting spaces: install 2-3 inches within firm edging.
• French drains and soggy spots: use clean stone at a depth of 12 inches or more. Calculate drainage material with the Stone Calculator, because drainage requires washed rock with no fines.

Example calculation: a 50 x 10 ft driveway

For 500 square feet at 4 inches overall, calculate 500 x 0.333 = 167 cubic feet. Dividing by 27 gives 6.2 cubic yards, or 8.7 tons. Include 5% for compaction, then plan on about 9 tons: roughly 60/40 crusher run for the base and surface gravel above it. That layered approach is important over Illinois prairie clay. Measuring a driveway precisely but placing one 2-inch layer directly on soil can lead to rutting.

Common project estimates

Before measuring, use these preliminary figures, calculated at 1.4 tons per cubic yard:

Four causes of extra deliveries

• Omitting the base beneath a new driveway. Gravel placed directly on soil may rut within a season, so put down the base course before the surface layer.
• Reviewing quotes only by square area. For the same 20 x 10 pad, two estimates may vary solely because of depth, so compare equal tonnages.
• Using less than 2 inches can leave the surface too thin. One inch of gravel can sink into soft clay by spring.
• Omitting the crown. Level gravel holds water, while a 2% slope moves it off the surface and helps retain fines.

Selecting gravel by surface

For areas that carry vehicle traffic, choose angular crushed gravel because the pieces interlock under pressure. Rounded material such as pea gravel and river rock can shift when loaded, making it better suited to paths and planting beds. A driveway typically uses a compactable base, such as crusher run or road base, below a free-draining top layer like driveway gravel or #57. If you are comparing materials or trying to identify what is already installed, send a photo to (847) 469-1546 for help identifying it.

Gravel sold by yards, tons, and loads

Material quantities use three descriptions. Cubic yards refer to volume. One ton is 2,000 lb by weight, or approximately 0.71 yards of gravel. Truckload size depends on the vehicle: 8-10 yards for a single-axle dump truck and 12-16 yards (17-22 tons) for a tandem. Convert quotes to tons before comparing prices. Compare delivered totals rather than material alone. Aggregate hauling can account for half the cost; Illinois Rock Supply includes free delivery on every order, so the listed per-ton amount is what reaches your driveway.

How to measure irregular driveways

Measuring curves and turnarounds takes a little adjustment. Measure a curved lane along its centerline and use its average width. Treat a rounded turnaround as a circle by measuring the broadest point for the diameter. On a slope, increase base depth toward the downhill end, where runoff carries water and gravel. For difficult outlines, separate the space into rectangles and total them in multiple-areas mode.

Preparing for delivery

• Plan the delivery location before the truck arrives: select firm ground and keep clear of low wires and septic field crossings.
• Place the gravel as near to the project as practical. One yard means 9 to 14 wheelbarrow trips, and moving it an extra 10 feet becomes substantial over 6 yards.
• If the load will be tipped on pavement, spread a tarp first. That reduces cleanup from an afternoon to ten minutes.
• Place and compact the base layer before adding the surface layer. A rented plate compactor is useful, while truck tires can serve as an alternative in a pinch.

Gravel answers in numbers

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