17 Cubic Yards of Pea Gravel in Tons
17 cubic yards of pea gravel in tons works out to about 23.8 tons using a planning weight of 1.4 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 22.1 and 25.5 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 47,600 pounds.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The conversion
- Yards × tons per yard: 17 × 1.4 = 23.8 tons.
- Low end: 17 × 1.3 = 22.1 tons.
- High end: 17 × 1.5 = 25.5 tons.
If your supplier quotes a different weight per yard, multiply by theirs.
What 17 yards covers
| Depth | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 2,754 |
| 3 in | 1,836 |
| 4 in | 1,377 |
About pea gravel
Because pea gravel is round, it never fully locks. Keep depths modest on walkways and patios so it does not feel like walking on a beach, and use edging.
Hauling 17 yards
At about 23.8 tons, this is more than one typical 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 pea gravel 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.
When to choose pea gravel
Good uses:
- Patios, walkways and dog runs
- Play areas with proper depth and edging
- Drainage around foundations when sized properly
Poor fit for:
- Driveways and steep paths, where it rolls and ruts
- Under pavers as a base
- Areas without edging
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.43 tons of pea gravel (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.3 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 15x30 area at 2 inches takes about 3.9 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
Questions people ask
How many tons is 17 yards of pea gravel?
About 23.8 tons, with a typical range of 22.1 to 25.5.
How many pounds is 17 cubic yards of pea gravel?
About 47,600 pounds.
How much area does 17 yards of pea gravel cover at 3 inches?
About 1,836 square feet.
Why does pea gravel 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
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Much Does a Yard of Crushed Stone Weigh?
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