Gravel Driveway and Road Base Calculator
Estimate compacted driveway aggregate volume, tonnage, truckloads, geotextile, and editable delivered cost.
How to use the gravel driveway calculator
- Measure the actual project. Break irregular work into separate sections and record finished dimensions consistently.
- Enter the core measurements. The quick view focuses on project geometry; add or subtract sections where the calculator supports multiple areas.
- Review purchasing assumptions. Open Advanced inputs to replace example prices, waste, coverage, density, pack size, minimum order, or delivery assumptions with current project information.
- Calculate and verify. Review the formula, limitations, whole-unit rounding, product instructions, and supplier requirements before purchasing.
Key inputs covered: Driveway length, Driveway width, Compacted aggregate depth, Compaction and settlement allowance, Loose aggregate density, Truck capacity, Aggregate example price, Delivery example price, Include geotextile fabric, Fabric roll coverage, and additional project-specific assumptions.
Result coverage: The gravel driveway calculator reports 7 separate quantities so the primary estimate and its supporting purchase or planning values can be checked together.
Estimate aggregate for a gravel driveway
Use driveway length, width, and compacted depth to estimate order tons, loose volume, truckloads, optional geotextile, and delivered material cost.
Compacted depth versus loose order
The placed volume comes from compacted dimensions. An editable allowance increases that quantity to account for compaction and settlement before density converts it to tons.
Layered driveway construction
A real driveway may use different subbase, base, and surface aggregates. Run separate estimates for each layer when their depth, density, or price differs.
How the estimate works
Driveway area times compacted depth gives placed volume; the compaction allowance converts it to loose order volume, density estimates tons, and truck capacity rounds loads up.
An 80 x 12 ft driveway at 6 in compacted depth contains about 17.78 yd3 before compaction allowance.
Assumptions, rounding, and limitations
Dimensions are treated as finished measurements. Only deductions and allowances entered above are included. Decimal measurements display to two places; purchase quantities round up when a whole container or piece is required.
- A durable driveway may require separate subbase, base, and surface aggregate gradations rather than one uniform layer.
- Drainage, subgrade strength, frost, slopes, edge restraint, compaction equipment, and local specifications control actual construction.
- Confirm aggregate type, density, minimum order, payload, access, fabric suitability, and delivered quantity with local suppliers.
Sources and review
These references support unit conversions and selected planning assumptions. Product instructions and local requirements control the actual project.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-09
Editorial process
BuildPlanCalc publishes the formula, editable assumptions, limitations, and supporting references so the estimate can be checked rather than treated as a black box. See the calculation and review methodology, or report a correction.
Frequently asked questions
Are the results exact?
No. Results are planning estimates based on the dimensions and assumptions entered. Confirm product coverage, site conditions, and ordering rules with the supplier.
What gravel density should I enter?
Use the tons-per-cubic-yard value supplied for the exact aggregate. Generic density assumptions can produce a materially different order.