Class 5 Gravel Driveway: What It Is and How Many Tons
Class 5 gravel is the name many suppliers in Minnesota and nearby states use for a dense-graded base aggregate: a mix of crushed and natural stone, sand and fines that packs into a hard, smooth layer. The name comes from the Minnesota Department of Transportation's aggregate specification. For a driveway, it works both as a base under asphalt and as a driving surface on its own.
Class 5 tons calculator →Where the name comes from
MnDOT Specification 3138 lists several classes of base and surfacing aggregate. In the version for material with less than 25 percent recycled content, Class 5 has 100 percent passing a 1-inch sieve and 3 to 10 percent passing the No. 200 sieve, with a spread of sizes in between (MnDOT 3138). That range from coarse to fine is what lets it compact so well: small particles fill the gaps between large ones.
The spec also allows recycled materials in some blends, labeled by type, such as bituminous or concrete. Some yards sell recycled Class 5 made from crushed asphalt or concrete, often at a different price. Ask what you are getting.
Outside Minnesota, similar materials are sold as crusher run, road base, dense grade aggregate or Item 4. The exact gradation varies by state and quarry, so buy by the product name your local yard uses. See crusher run driveway, Item 4 gravel and dense grade aggregate.
Why Class 5 makes a good driveway layer
- Packs hard. Rolled with a little moisture, it forms a firm surface that resists rutting.
- Sheds water when crowned. The fines tighten the surface so rain runs off rather than soaking straight in.
- Works under pavement. It is a common base under asphalt and concrete.
The tradeoff: dense stone with fines can get dusty in dry weather and muddy if water sits on it. Good crown and drainage matter more than the stone; see driveway cross slope.
How deep to lay Class 5 on a driveway
There is no single answer, because it depends on soil and traffic. Common practice for homeowners:
- Top-dressing a firm gravel driveway: a few inches to restore the surface.
- New driveway on decent soil: often several inches of Class 5, sometimes over a coarser subbase on soft ground.
- Base under asphalt: whatever your paving contractor specifies; see four-inch and six-inch base tonnage.
Place and compact it in lifts rather than dumping a deep pile and rolling once. A plate compactor or roller and a little water make a big difference; see compacting gravel base in lifts.
How many tons of Class 5
Tons = length × width × depth (ft) ÷ 27 × tons per cubic yard. Dense-graded base often weighs about 1.4 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard; the table uses 1.5, but ask your yard for their figure.
| Area | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 × 30 ft (360 ft²) | ~3.3 yd³ / ~5.0 t | ~4.4 yd³ / ~6.7 t | ~6.7 yd³ / ~10.0 t |
| 12 × 60 ft (720 ft²) | ~6.7 yd³ / ~10.0 t | ~8.9 yd³ / ~13.3 t | ~13.3 yd³ / ~20.0 t |
| 12 × 100 ft (1,200 ft²) | ~11.1 yd³ / ~16.7 t | ~14.8 yd³ / ~22.2 t | ~22.2 yd³ / ~33.3 t |
These are loose quantities before compaction. Add a cushion if the finished depth has to hit a number. The base calculator lets you set the weight per yard yourself.
Questions people ask
What is Class 5 gravel?
A dense-graded base aggregate named after a Minnesota DOT specification. It blends crushed and natural stone, sand and fines so it compacts into a hard layer.
Is Class 5 good for a driveway?
Yes, it is widely used both as a driveway surface and as a base under asphalt. It needs a crown and drainage so water does not sit on it.
How much does a yard of Class 5 weigh?
Dense-graded base often weighs around 1.4 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard depending on moisture and the blend. Your supplier can give an exact figure.
What is Class 5 called in other states?
Similar products are sold as crusher run, road base, dense grade aggregate (DGA), Item 4 and other local names. Gradations differ by state.
Related guides
- Crusher run driveway
- Gravel base calculator guide
- Driveway gravel sizes
- Recycled concrete under asphalt
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