How Much Gravel for a 18x70 Driveway?
How much gravel for a 18x70 driveway: at 4 inches deep you need about 15.56 cubic yards, which is roughly 21.8 tons at 1.4 tons per yard. The driveway covers 1,260 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 3.89 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 18x70 driveway
- Area: 18 × 70 = 1,260 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic feet: 1,260 × 0.333 = 420.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 15.56 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.4 = 21.8 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Gravel needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 7.78 | 10.9 | 12.0 |
| 3 in | 11.67 | 16.3 | 18.0 |
| 4 in | 15.56 | 21.8 | 24.0 |
| 6 in | 23.33 | 32.7 | 35.9 |
About gravel
Plain gravel is a loose term. Yards use it for rounded bank or river stone as well as for crushed rock, so ask whether the load is washed, crushed or a mix before you lock in a tonnage. 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. 24.0 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.
Good and poor uses for gravel
Good uses:
- Rural driveways and lanes where low upfront cost matters
- Drainage areas and around downspouts
- Temporary access while a site is under construction
Think twice for:
- Steep slopes, where loose stone washes downhill
- Spots plowed often, since plows push gravel into the lawn
- Areas next to doors, because stone tracks inside
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.43 tons of gravel (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.3 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 8x16 area at 4 inches takes about 2.2 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- 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.
- 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 gravel for a 18x70 driveway?
About 21.8 tons at 4 inches deep, or 24.0 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 18x70 driveway at 4 inches?
About 15.56 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Usually around 1.3 to 1.5 tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.
How deep should gravel 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 18x70?
1,260 square feet.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Many Tons of Gravel in a Dump Truck? Loads and Coverage
- How Much Gravel for a 18x50 Driveway?
- How Much Gravel for a 18x60 Driveway?
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