How Much #57 Stone for a 16x45 Driveway?
A 16 by 45 foot driveway is 720 square feet. How much #57 stone for a 16x45 driveway depends on depth: at 4 inches it is about 8.89 cubic yards or 12.0 tons. Suppliers usually sell by the ton, so the tonnage is the number to give them.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 16x45 driveway
- Area: 16 × 45 = 720 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic feet: 720 × 0.333 = 240.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 8.89 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.35 = 12.0 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
#57 stone needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 4.44 | 6.0 | 6.6 |
| 3 in | 6.67 | 9.0 | 9.9 |
| 4 in | 8.89 | 12.0 | 13.2 |
| 6 in | 13.33 | 18.0 | 19.8 |
About #57 stone
Since #57 is washed and open-graded, it moves a little underfoot. Many installers put it over a compacted base of a dense-graded stone rather than straight on soil. Weight per yard is a planning number; the scale ticket at the yard is the real one.
Preparing the driveway
Strip sod and soft topsoil, grade for drainage and compact the subgrade before any stone goes down. Gravel drives last longer with a compacted base layer under the top stone and a slight crown so water runs off. Since the driveway carries car and truck traffic, a little extra depth is cheap insurance.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 13.2 tons fits in a single typical dump truck load; small loads may carry a delivery fee. See how many tons of gravel in a dump truck.
- Bulk vs bags. At this size bulk delivery is usually the practical choice.
- Where it drops. Have the truck dump as close to the driveway as firm ground allows.
When to choose #57 stone
Good uses:
- French drains and drainage layers
- The top course of a gravel driveway
- Under sheds where water needs to drain away
Less suited to:
- A standalone base, since it does not pack hard without fines
- Paver setting beds
- Walk paths meant for strollers or wheelchairs
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.42 tons of #57 stone (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.2 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 15x30 area at 4 inches takes about 7.5 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
Questions people ask
How many tons of #57 stone for a 16x45 driveway?
About 12.0 tons at 4 inches deep, or 13.2 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 16x45 driveway at 4 inches?
About 8.89 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of #57 stone weigh?
Usually around 1.3 to 1.45 tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.
How deep should #57 stone be for a driveway?
The table above shows 2 to 6 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.
How many square feet is 16x45?
720 square feet.
Related guides
- Number 57 Stone: Size, Weight, Uses, and Coverage
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Many Tons of Gravel in a Dump Truck? Loads and Coverage
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- How Much #57 Stone for a 16x35 Driveway?
- How Much #57 Stone for a 16x40 Driveway?
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