How Much Crusher Run for a 12x40 Driveway?
A 12 by 40 foot driveway is 480 square feet. How much crusher run for a 12x40 driveway depends on depth: at 4 inches it is about 5.93 cubic yards or 9.2 tons. Suppliers usually sell by the ton, so the tonnage is the number to give them.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 12x40 driveway
- Area: 12 × 40 = 480 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic feet: 480 × 0.333 = 160.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 5.93 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.55 = 9.2 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Crusher run needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 in | 4.44 | 6.9 | 7.6 |
| 4 in | 5.93 | 9.2 | 10.1 |
| 6 in | 8.89 | 13.8 | 15.2 |
| 8 in | 11.85 | 18.4 | 20.2 |
About crusher run
Crusher run (also sold as crush and run, dense-grade aggregate or QP in some regions) mixes stone with stone dust. It compacts into a firm, nearly solid layer, which makes it the usual base under pavers, asphalt and gravel drives. 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. This driveway sees car and truck traffic, so match the depth to that load rather than to the minimum.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 10.1 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 crusher run
Works well for:
- Base under asphalt, pavers or concrete
- Gravel drives that need a firm, packed surface
- Shed pads and equipment pads
Think twice for:
- Drainage layers, since the fines slow water
- Decorative beds
- Spots where you want water to soak straight through
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.48 tons of crusher run (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.8 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 8x16 area at 4 inches takes about 2.4 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.55 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- 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.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons of crusher run for a 12x40 driveway?
About 9.2 tons at 4 inches deep, or 10.1 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 12x40 driveway at 4 inches?
About 5.93 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of crusher run weigh?
Usually around 1.5 to 1.7 compacted tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.
How deep should crusher run be for a driveway?
The table above shows 3 to 8 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.
How many square feet is 12x40?
480 square feet.
Related guides
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- 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 Crusher Run for a 12x30 Driveway?
- How Much Crusher Run for a 12x35 Driveway?
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