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11 Cubic Yards of River Rock in Tons

11 cubic yards of river rock in tons works out to about 14.9 tons using a planning weight of 1.35 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 13.8 and 15.9 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 29,700 pounds.

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The conversion

  • Yards × tons per yard: 11 × 1.35 = 14.9 tons.
  • Low end: 11 × 1.25 = 13.8 tons.
  • High end: 11 × 1.45 = 15.9 tons.

Quarries can tell you the weight per yard for their own product; use it if you have it.

What 11 yards covers

DepthSquare feet
2 in1,782
3 in1,188
4 in891

About river rock

River rock is mostly decorative and for drainage beds. It is not meant to be driven on and tends to roll if used as a walking surface.

Hauling 11 yards

At about 14.9 tons, this is roughly a tandem-axle truckload. A pickup is a poor fit for anything past a fraction of a yard; see how much gravel a half-ton pickup can carry.

Before you order

  • Confirm whether the yard prices river rock by the ton or by the yard.
  • Add about 10 percent for compaction and uneven ground.
  • Clear a firm spot for the truck to dump.

The volume and tonnage calculator converts any area and depth into yards and tons.

Good and poor uses for river rock

Best suited to:

  • Dry creek beds and drainage swales
  • Decorative borders and planting beds
  • Around downspouts to stop splash erosion

Less suited to:

  • Walking surfaces
  • Driveways
  • Bases under slabs or pavers

Quick reference numbers

  • Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.42 tons of river rock (0.31 cubic yards).
  • Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.2 tons.
  • Another size for comparison: a 20x25 area at 3 inches takes about 6.3 tons.
  • Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.

Common estimating mistakes

  • Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
  • Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
  • Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
  • Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.

Questions people ask

How many tons is 11 yards of river rock?

About 14.9 tons, with a typical range of 13.8 to 15.9.

How many pounds is 11 cubic yards of river rock?

About 29,700 pounds.

How much area does 11 yards of river rock cover at 3 inches?

About 1,188 square feet.

Why does river rock weight vary?

Stone size, the share of fines and moisture all change how much a yard weighs.

Is it better to buy by the ton or the yard?

Either works; just convert with the supplier’s own weight per yard so the two quotes compare fairly.

Related guides

Open the volume and tonnage calculator → Asphalt tonnage calculator →

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