How Much Road Base for 300 Square Feet?
How much road base for 300 square feet depends on depth. At 6 inches you need about 5.56 cubic yards, roughly 8.3 tons at 1.5 tons per yard. At 4 inches the order drops to 5.6 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Road base for 300 sq ft by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 in | 3.70 | 5.6 | 6.1 |
| 6 in | 5.56 | 8.3 | 9.2 |
| 8 in | 7.41 | 11.1 | 12.2 |
Working it out
- 300 sq ft × (6 ÷ 12) ft = 150.0 cubic feet.
- ÷ 27 = 5.56 cubic yards.
- × 1.5 tons per yard = 8.3 tons.
About road base
Road base (also called base rock, ABC, or Class 2 base in different states) is a graded mix of stone and fines made to compact into a load-bearing layer. Most suppliers will quote 1.4 to 1.65 compacted tons per yard for this material.
Getting the order right
- Measure odd shapes in pieces. Split curves and L-shapes into rectangles and add them.
- Add a margin. About 10 percent covers compaction and low spots.
- Bulk or bags. Bulk delivery is the practical choice here.
- Prep first. Remove sod, compact the subgrade and set edging before the stone arrives.
Use the volume and tonnage calculator for any other size.
Good and poor uses for road base
Best suited to:
- 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 14x28 area at 4 inches takes about 7.3 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
Questions people ask
How many tons of road base for 300 square feet?
About 8.3 tons at 6 inches deep.
How many cubic yards of road base for 300 square feet?
About 5.56 yards at 6 inches.
How much road base for 300 square feet at 4 inches?
About 5.6 tons, or 3.70 cubic yards.
How much does a yard of road base weigh?
About 1.4 to 1.65 compacted tons.
Should I add extra?
Yes, about 10 percent is a common allowance.
Related guides
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- How Much Road Base for 200 Square Feet?
- How Much Road Base for 250 Square Feet?
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