🪨 Crushed Rock Calculator - Free 2026

For a standard 10 ft × 20 ft driveway with 4-inch depth, you need approximately 2.47 cubic yards or 3.7 tons of crushed rock. Driveways typically require 3-4 inches of base rock (3/4-inch crushed stone) plus 1-2 inches of surface gravel (3/8-inch or pea gravel) for smooth finish and stability.

Larger driveways scale proportionally: 12×25 ft requires 3.7 cu yd (5.6 tons), 20×20 ft double driveway needs 4.94 cu yd (7.4 tons). Always add 20-30% extra for compaction settling. Heavy traffic or poor soil conditions may require 5-6 inch depth. Use calculator above for exact amounts based on your dimensions.

Crushed rock typically weighs 1.4-1.5 tons per cubic yard, varying by rock type and moisture content. Crushed stone (#57) averages 1.5 tons/yard (2,800-3,000 lbs), pea gravel 1.4 tons/yard, limestone 1.45 tons/yard, and river rock 1.35 tons/yard due to rounder shape and air gaps.

Denser materials weigh more: crushed granite 1.6 tons/yard, basalt 1.55 tons/yard. Lighter materials: volcanic rock 1.1-1.2 tons/yard, expanded shale 0.9 tons/yard. Wet material weighs 10-15% more than dry. Industry standard uses 1.5 tons/yard for ordering calculations. Our calculator automatically adjusts for rock type density.

Standard crushed rock depths vary by application: driveways need 4-6 inches total (3-4 inch base layer + 1-2 inch surface), walkways require 2-3 inches, landscaping beds use 2-4 inches for weed control and moisture retention, and drainage projects need 6-12 inches depending on water volume.

Heavy traffic areas benefit from deeper rock: RV pads and parking areas use 6-8 inches. French drains require 10-12 inches for adequate drainage capacity. Thinner applications (under 2 inches) shift and migrate easily. Compact in 2-3 inch layers for best results - never compact more than 3 inches at once. Deeper installations provide longer lifespan but cost more in materials.

In 2026, crushed rock costs $20-$60 per ton in the USA, varying by rock type and region. Crushed stone (#57) runs $30-$50/ton, pea gravel $25-$45/ton, river rock $40-$60/ton (decorative premium), and limestone $20-$35/ton. Delivery adds $50-$150 depending on distance and load size.

Regional pricing varies significantly: Northeast and West Coast average $40-$60/ton due to higher extraction and transport costs. Midwest and South average $20-$35/ton near quarries. Bulk orders (10+ tons) receive 10-20% discounts. Small bags (50 lbs) at retail cost $3-$8 each ($120-$320 per ton) - only economical for tiny projects. Delivery within 20 miles averages $75-$100 per load (10-15 tons maximum).

For driveways, use 3/4-inch crushed stone (#57 stone) as 3-4 inch base layer and 3/8-inch crushed stone or pea gravel as 1-2 inch top surface. Crushed stone has angular edges that lock together when compacted, providing superior stability over rounded river rock. Two-layer system creates smooth, stable driveway surface.

Avoid round river rock or pea gravel alone - they shift under traffic. Crushed limestone works well and costs less ($20-$35/ton) but can track indoors on shoes. Crushed granite provides premium durability but costs more ($40-$50/ton). For budget projects, mixed crushed stone works adequately at $25-$35/ton. Never use sand or fine gravel alone - insufficient drainage causes rutting and washout.

Calculate tons: measure length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by material weight (typically 1.4-1.5 tons per yard). Example: 20 ft × 10 ft × 0.33 ft (4 inches) = 66 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 2.44 cubic yards × 1.5 tons = 3.67 tons crushed stone.

Add 20-30% extra for compaction settling: 3.67 tons × 1.25 = 4.6 tons actual order amount. For circles, use π × radius² × depth. For irregular shapes, break into sections and sum totals. Always round up to nearest half-ton when ordering. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12 (4 inches = 0.33 feet, 6 inches = 0.5 feet). Use our calculator for automatic conversions and compaction adjustments.

Yes, always compact crushed rock in 2-3 inch layers for driveways, pathways, and structural applications. Compaction reduces settling by 20-30% and creates stable, level surface that resists rutting. Use plate compactor (rent $60-$100/day) for areas over 100 sq ft, hand tamper for smaller projects.

Compaction technique: spread 2-3 inch layer, mist lightly with water, compact from edges to center with overlapping passes. Repeat for each layer. Aim for 95% compaction density for driveways (feels solid underfoot), 85-90% for landscaping. Never compact saturated material - causes shifting and poor bonding. Recompact after 2-3 weeks of use to densify traffic areas. Proper compaction extends lifespan from 5-10 years to 15-20 years.

Crushed stone has angular, jagged edges from mechanical crushing at quarries, while gravel has smooth, rounded edges from natural weathering in rivers and streams. Crushed stone compacts tighter (95% density), drains better through void spaces, and provides more stability for structural applications like driveways and base layers.

Gravel (pea gravel, river rock) works better for decorative landscaping, pathways, and top surface layers due to smooth texture and appearance. Crushed stone costs slightly more ($30-$50/ton) than natural gravel ($25-$45/ton) but performs better structurally. For driveways, use crushed stone base with pea gravel surface. For landscaping beds, gravel provides aesthetic appeal. Never use gravel alone for driveways - it shifts and migrates under traffic, requiring frequent regrading.