Gravel calculator for Iowa
Calculate gravel or landscape rock quantities in cubic yards and tons, select the material to buy, and receive free delivery.
Enter your project dimensions
With the depth set at 2 inches, a ton of crushed gravel spreads over roughly 116 square feet. That estimate provides a practical starting point for material planning. Enter the area dimensions and depth, select the gravel type, and the calculator returns cubic yards, tons, and a delivered price. Landscape rock uses the same tool, since crushed gravel, #57 stone, and comparable materials are near 2,800 lb per cubic yard.
Calculating the gravel you need
- Start by measuring in feet. For a rectangle, multiply length by width. For a circle, use its diameter. Treat an L-shaped driveway as two rectangles, and use multiple-areas mode to combine them.
- Choose a depth in inches. For paths and replenishing gravel, allow 2-3 inches. Build a new driveway in two courses totaling 4-6 inches, rather than placing it all at once.
- Find cubic feet by multiplying area by depth in feet. Divide that result by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 to estimate tons.
Tons = cubic yards × 1.4 (crushed gravel at ~2,800 lb per cubic yard)
Coverage and weight figures to keep
Dry crushed gravel weighs about 2,800 lb per cubic yard, equal to 1.4 tons. In reverse, a ton fills about 0.71 cubic yards. Deeper layers cover less area:
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | ≈ 116 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | ≈ 77 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | ≈ 58 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | ≈ 39 sq ft |
| Material | Weight per cubic yard | Tons per yard |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway / walkway gravel | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Pea gravel (3/8") | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Crushed stone (#57, 3/4") | ≈ 2,800 lb | 1.40 |
| Crusher run / road base | ≈ 3,000 lb | 1.50 |
| River rock (1-3") | ≈ 2,700 lb | 1.35 |
Project depth guide
- Garden paths and walkways: spread 2-3 inches of walkway gravel on compacted ground or fabric.
- Refreshing an existing driveway: Apply 2 inches of fresh surface gravel.
- New driveways: install 3-4 inches of compacted crusher run as the first course, followed by 2-3 inches of driveway gravel or #57. The lower course supports traffic, while the upper course drains water and provides the finished surface.
- Patios and seating areas: Place 2-3 inches within sturdy edging.
- French drains and soggy spots: use 12 inches or more of clean stone. Calculate drainage material with the Stone Calculator, as this work calls for washed rock without fines.
Example calculation: a 50 x 10 ft driveway
For a 500 square foot area with 4 inches of total depth, calculate 500 x 0.333 = 167 cubic feet. Converting that volume by 27 gives 6.2 cubic yards, or 8.7 tons. Allow 5% for compaction, so plan on about 9 tons. Use roughly a 60/40 split of crusher run base and surface gravel. That layered approach is important in Iowa, where a base also helps move water through freeze-thaw conditions. Avoid placing one 2-inch layer directly on soil, even when the driveway measurement is exact.
Common projects, already calculated
Use these rough estimates before measuring. Each uses 1.4 tons per cubic yard:
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-car driveway pad | 20 x 10 ft | 4" | 2.5 yd³ | 3.5 tons |
| Two-car driveway | 24 x 20 ft | 4" | 5.9 yd³ | 8.3 tons |
| Country driveway | 50 x 12 ft | 6" | 11.1 yd³ | 15.6 tons |
| Garden path | 20 x 3 ft | 3" | 0.6 yd³ | 0.8 tons |
| Patio seating area | 12 x 12 ft | 3" | 1.3 yd³ | 1.9 tons |
| Shed base | 10 x 12 ft | 4" | 1.5 yd³ | 2.1 tons |
Four errors that lead to another delivery
- Leaving out the base for a new driveway. Gravel laid right over soil may rut within a season. Put in the base course, then add the surface course.
- Comparing quotes only by area. For the same 20 x 10 pad, two quotes can vary simply because the installed depths are different, so compare matching tonnage.
- Do not use less than 2 inches of gravel. A single inch can work down into mud by spring.
- Leaving the surface without a crown. Standing water collects on flat gravel, while a 2% slope carries it away and helps retain the fines.
Selecting gravel for each surface
Where vehicles travel, use angular crushed gravel because it packs together under weight. Rounded materials such as pea gravel and river rock can shift and travel under tires, so they work better for walkways and planting beds. For an Iowa driveway, combine a compacting base like crusher run or road base with a draining top layer such as driveway gravel or #57. Need help choosing between materials or identifying what is already installed? Text a photo to (515) 852-5557 for help identifying it.
Gravel sales: yards, tons, and truckloads
The same pile can be described in three ways. Cubic yards measure volume. A ton measures 2,000 lb, or about 0.71 cubic yards of gravel. Truckload capacity depends on the truck: 8-10 yards for a single-axle dump truck and 12-16 yards (17-22 tons) for a tandem. Compare quotes in a single unit by converting them to tons. Compare delivered pricing as well. Aggregate hauling can account for half the cost; Iowa Rock Supply provides free delivery on every order, so the listed per-ton price is what reaches your driveway.
Measuring irregular driveways
Curved lanes and turnarounds can be harder to measure. On a curve, measure the lane through its center and use the average width. Treat a turnaround bulb as a circle by measuring its widest point for the diameter. At the low end of a slope, make the base course deeper because water and gravel collect there. For shapes that are difficult to tape, divide the project into rectangles and add them using multiple-areas mode.
Planning a successful delivery
- Choose the delivery drop location before the truck gets there. Use firm ground away from low wires and septic field crossings.
- Have the gravel placed as near the project as possible. Moving a yard takes 9 to 14 wheelbarrow trips, so an added 10 feet makes a difference when you have 6 yards to move.
- For gravel tipped on pavement, spread a tarp beforehand. That changes cleanup from an afternoon to ten minutes.
- Before placing the surface material, compact the base course. A rented plate compactor can do the job, though truck tires can help when necessary.
Gravel answers in numbers
What coverage comes from 1 ton of gravel?
How can I calculate the gravel amount?
What gravel amount covers a 10x10 area?
How many gravel yards make up a ton?
What does a gravel truckload contain?
What is the cost of a gravel yard?
Do I need extra material for compaction?
Can gravel go directly over grass?
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That amount is delivered free.
Driveway gravel, #57, and crusher run are sold by the ton and delivered throughout Iowa.
