30 Cubic Yards of Road Base in Tons
30 cubic yards of road base in tons works out to about 45.0 tons using a planning weight of 1.5 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 42.0 and 49.5 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 90,000 pounds.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The conversion
- Yards × tons per yard: 30 × 1.5 = 45.0 tons.
- Low end: 30 × 1.4 = 42.0 tons.
- High end: 30 × 1.65 = 49.5 tons.
The scale ticket on delivery day is the final word on weight.
What 30 yards covers
| Depth | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 4 in | 2,430 |
| 6 in | 1,620 |
| 8 in | 1,215 |
About road base
Road base is meant to be compacted at close to the right moisture. Dry base rock does not lock up well; a light spray of water before rolling helps.
Hauling 30 yards
Plan the delivery around 45.0 tons: two or more trucks in most areas. 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 road base 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.
Where road base fits
Good uses:
- Base under asphalt and concrete
- Gravel roads and drives
- Equipment and shed pads
Think twice for:
- Drainage layers
- Decorative surfaces
- Surfaces that will stay uncompacted
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.46 tons of road base (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.6 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 20x25 area at 2 inches takes about 4.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- 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.
Questions people ask
How many tons is 30 yards of road base?
About 45.0 tons, with a typical range of 42.0 to 49.5.
How many pounds is 30 cubic yards of road base?
About 90,000 pounds.
How much area does 30 yards of road base cover at 6 inches?
About 1,620 square feet.
Why does road base 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
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Much Does a Yard of Crushed Stone Weigh?
- 20 Cubic Yards of Road Base in Tons
- 25 Cubic Yards of Road Base in Tons
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