Dense Grade Aggregate (DGA) Driveway: Depth and Tons
Dense grade aggregate, usually shortened to DGA, is crushed stone blended from coarse pieces down to fine dust. Because the sizes fill each other's gaps, it compacts into a tight, strong layer. Kentucky, Pennsylvania and other states use the term, and it is a go-to base under asphalt and concrete as well as a surface for gravel driveways.
DGA tons calculator →What a DGA specification looks like
Kentucky's Transportation Cabinet is a good example. Its Section 805 calls for DGA made of crushed stone with mineral filler as needed, with a sand equivalent requirement for the fines (KYTC Division 800). The gradation requirements set a spread of particle sizes from coarse stone down to fine dust, which is what makes it pack. Its base course section has the state measure and pay for DGA base in tons and allows placing it in one layer up to 6½ inches thick when compaction can be achieved, otherwise in layers of at least 3 inches (KYTC Division 300).
Your local quarry's DGA may be made to the state spec or to its own recipe. Other names for similar material include crusher run, Class 5 and Item 4.
Why DGA works for driveways
- Strength. The packed mix spreads wheel loads to the soil below.
- Smooth surface. Fines fill the top, so it drives and plows better than open stone.
- Pavement-ready. It is a natural base if you plan to pave later; see gravel base for a driveway.
Downsides are the same as other dense bases: dust when dry, and softening when water stands on it. Crown the surface, keep ditches and culverts open, and see driveway cross slope.
How to place DGA
- Strip sod and soft soil, and shape the subgrade with a slight crown or cross slope.
- Use separation fabric on soft or clay soil; see separation fabric under a driveway base.
- Spread DGA in lifts, add a little water if it is dry and dusty, and compact each lift.
- Check the surface with a straightedge and fill low spots before the final pass.
How many tons of DGA
Tons = length × width × depth (ft) ÷ 27 × tons per cubic yard. DGA commonly weighs about 1.4 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard loose; the table uses 1.5. Kentucky and many other buyers purchase DGA by the ton, so ask your quarry for its figure.
| Area | 4 in | 6 in | 8 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 × 20 ft pad (400 ft²) | ~4.9 yd³ / ~7.4 t | ~7.4 yd³ / ~11.1 t | ~9.9 yd³ / ~14.8 t |
| 12 × 60 ft (720 ft²) | ~8.9 yd³ / ~13.3 t | ~13.3 yd³ / ~20.0 t | ~17.8 yd³ / ~26.7 t |
| 12 × 100 ft (1,200 ft²) | ~14.8 yd³ / ~22.2 t | ~22.2 yd³ / ~33.3 t | ~29.6 yd³ / ~44.4 t |
Order a cushion for compaction and uneven subgrade. The eight-inch gravel base guide shows deeper sections, and the base calculator handles any size.
Questions people ask
What does DGA stand for in gravel?
Dense grade (or dense graded) aggregate: crushed stone with a range of sizes down to fines so it compacts tightly.
Is DGA good for a driveway?
Yes. It is widely used as a driveway surface and as a base under asphalt or concrete. It needs drainage and compaction to perform well.
How thick should DGA be?
It depends on soil and traffic. Many driveways use several inches; bases under pavement follow the contractor's design. Thick layers should be placed and compacted in lifts.
How much does DGA weigh per cubic yard?
Often about 1.4 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard, depending on moisture and the blend. Ask your quarry for its number.
Related guides
- Crusher run driveway
- Eight-inch gravel base tons
- Number 2 stone as an asphalt base
- Gravel weight per yard
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