Gravel Driveway Cost Calculator

How much does a gravel driveway cost?

This gravel driveway cost calculator adds the gravel to the labor: total = (length × width × depth in ft ÷ 27 × price per cubic yard) + (length × width × $1.50 per sq ft). A 40 × 12 ft driveway at 4 inches deep takes 5.93 cubic yards. At $40 a yard that is $237.04 of gravel, plus $720 to spread and grade it, for $957.04.

Enter the driveway length and width in feet, the gravel depth in inches, and your supplier’s price per cubic yard. Labor is fixed at $1.50 per square foot.

The formula in plain words

1. Area = length × width.
2. Cubic yards = area × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27.
3. Gravel cost = cubic yards × price per yard.
4. Labor cost = area × $1.50.
5. Total = gravel + labor.

Depth changes only the gravel line, while area changes both. On a thin top-up layer, labor is the bigger cost. On a deep new build, gravel is.

Worked examples

1. Default: 40 ft × 12 ft × 4 in, $40/yd³**

• Area: 40 × 12 = 480 sq ft
• Cubic yards: 480 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 5.93 yd³
• Gravel: 5.93 × $40 = $237.04
• Labor: 480 × $1.50 = $720.00
• Total: $957.04

2. Long country drive: 100 ft × 10 ft × 6 in, $40/yd³**

• Area: 100 × 10 = 1,000 sq ft
• Cubic yards: 1,000 × 0.5 ÷ 27 = 18.52 yd³
• Gravel: 18.52 × $40 = $740.74
• Labor: 1,000 × $1.50 = $1,500.00
• Total: $2,240.74

At about 1.4 tons per yard, example 2 is roughly 26 tons of stone, more than one typical dump-truck load. Ask your supplier about delivery charges per load.

Cost by driveway size at the default rates (4 in deep)

Driveway	Area	Cubic yards	Gravel	Labor	Total
20 × 10 ft	200 sq ft	2.47	$98.77	$300	$398.77
40 × 12 ft	480 sq ft	5.93	$237.04	$720	$957.04
60 × 16 ft	960 sq ft	11.85	$474.07	$1,440	$1,914.07
100 × 12 ft	1,200 sq ft	14.81	$592.59	$1,800	$2,392.59

Layers in a new gravel driveway

Layer	Typical stone	Typical depth
Base	Large crushed stone such as #3 or #2	4–6 in
Middle	Smaller crushed stone such as #57	about 4 in
Top	Crusher run, #411, or similar with fines	2–4 in

Run each layer through the calculator at its own depth and price, then add the totals. Crusher run on top locks together better than round stone, which rolls under tires. The crusher run calculator gives tons for that layer.

How to measure your driveway

• Measure the length along the center of the drive with a measuring wheel.
• Measure the width at several points and average them.
• Add turnarounds and parking pads as separate rectangles.
• For curves, the centerline length × average width is close enough for a budget.

Common mistakes

• Pricing only the top layer for a new build. A bare-soil driveway needs a base.
• Comparing a per-ton and per-yard quote directly. Convert first, at about 1.4 tons per yard.
• Ignoring drainage. Water running down the drive washes stone away. Crown the surface and add ditches or culverts where needed.
• Skipping compaction. Loose stone ruts fast. Compact each layer.

Compare driveway surfaces

For tons and layers without labor, use the gravel driveway calculator. To compare paved options on the same footprint, see the asphalt driveway cost calculator and concrete driveway cost calculator.

Estimates only. Local gravel prices, delivery fees, and labor rates vary. Get written quotes before you budget.