How Much Gravel Do You Need?
Calculate tons or cubic yards of gravel for driveways, walkways, and drainage. Includes cost estimate by gravel type.
Gravel Depth by Project
Walkways and paths: 2-3 inches of gravel over landscape fabric. Patios: 4 inches of compacted base gravel plus 1-2 inches of pea gravel or decomposed granite. Driveways: 4-6 inches total — typically 4 inches of #57 crushed stone base topped with 2 inches of finish gravel. French drains: 6-12 inches of washed #57 stone around the perforated pipe.
Gravel Types Compared
Pea gravel (smooth, rounded, 3/8"): comfortable to walk on, ideal for paths and play areas. Does not compact well — shifts underfoot. Crushed stone (angular, various sizes): compacts well, ideal for driveways and base layers. The angular edges lock together under weight. Decomposed granite: natural look, compacts to a firm surface, excellent for paths and patios. River rock (1-3"): decorative only — too large and smooth to walk on comfortably.
Bags vs Bulk Delivery
For projects under 1 ton (about 1.5 cubic yards), bagged gravel from Home Depot/Lowe's is convenient but expensive — roughly $5-8 per 50-lb bag, which works out to $200-320 per ton. Bulk delivery costs $30-60 per ton plus a $50-150 delivery fee. The break-even is typically at 1-2 tons — above that, bulk is dramatically cheaper.
Gravel compacts by approximately 30% when properly tamped. If you need 4 inches of finished depth, spread 5.5 inches of loose gravel before compacting with a plate compactor. This is especially important for driveways where a solid, stable surface is critical.
