How Much #57 Stone for a 20x50 Driveway?
A 20 by 50 foot driveway is 1,000 square feet. How much #57 stone for a 20x50 driveway depends on depth: at 4 inches it is about 12.35 cubic yards or 16.7 tons. Suppliers usually sell by the ton, so the tonnage is the number to give them.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 20x50 driveway
- Area: 20 × 50 = 1,000 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic feet: 1,000 × 0.333 = 333.3 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 12.35 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.35 = 16.7 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 | 6.17 | 8.3 | 9.2 |
| 3 in | 9.26 | 12.5 | 13.8 |
| 4 in | 12.35 | 16.7 | 18.3 |
| 6 in | 18.52 | 25.0 | 27.5 |
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. Ask your supplier for their own tons-per-yard figure, since stone source and moisture shift it.
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. For car and truck traffic, the depths in the table above are a reasonable starting range.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 18.3 tons may take more than one 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
Best suited to:
- French drains and drainage layers
- The top course of a gravel driveway
- Under sheds where water needs to drain away
Think twice for:
- 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 14x28 area at 3 inches takes about 4.9 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- 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 20x50 driveway?
About 16.7 tons at 4 inches deep, or 18.3 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 20x50 driveway at 4 inches?
About 12.35 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 20x50?
1,000 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 20x40 Driveway?
- How Much #57 Stone for a 20x45 Driveway?
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