How Much Gravel for a 500 Foot Driveway?
How much gravel for a 500 foot driveway: about 103.7 tons for a 12-foot-wide lane at 4 inches deep. That is 6,000 square feet and 74.07 cubic yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math
- Area: 6,000.0 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic yards: 6,000.0 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 74.07 yd³.
- Tons: × about 1.4 tons per yard = 103.7 tons.
The gravel calculator does this for any size.
Related: How Much Crushed Stone for a 500 Foot Driveway?
Gravel needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons of gravel | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 37.04 | 51.9 | 57.0 |
| 4 in | 74.07 | 103.7 | 114.1 |
| 6 in | 111.11 | 155.6 | 171.1 |
| 8 in | 148.15 | 207.4 | 228.1 |
Tons by driveway width
| Width | Tons at 4 in | Tons at 6 in |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 86.4 | 129.6 |
| 12 ft | 103.7 | 155.6 |
| 14 ft | 121.0 | 181.5 |
| 16 ft | 138.3 | 207.4 |
Related: How Much #57 Stone for a 500 Foot Driveway?
Truck loads
Plan for about 114.1 tons with waste. On a 15-ton truck that is about 8 trips; spreading while dumping (a tailgate spread) puts the stone close to where it belongs.
Layers for a lasting driveway
If this is a new driveway on soil, build a base of 4 to 6 inches of coarse stone first and finish with a packable surface stone. For a refresh, 2 inches over the old surface is common. Long drives benefit from a crown so water runs to the edges.
Getting it delivered
Most quarries and landscape yards deliver by the ton; ask whether there is a minimum and a delivery fee, and where the driver can dump without damaging your lawn. Gravel is a broad label, so confirm whether the yard means crushed or rounded stone and whether it carries fines. Round up by about 10 percent for compaction and uneven ground.
Questions people ask
How many tons of gravel for a 500 ft driveway?
About 103.7 tons at 12 ft wide and 4 inches deep.
How many truck loads for a 500 ft driveway?
About 8 loads of 15 tons, including some extra.
How many tons of gravel are in a cubic yard?
Roughly 1.4 tons for planning, but suppliers vary with stone size and moisture.
Do I need to compact it?
Yes for anything that carries weight. Compact in lifts of a few inches with a plate compactor.
Related guides
- How to Build a Gravel Driveway That Lasts
- How Much Gravel for a 100 Foot Driveway? Tons by Depth
- A Passing Pullout on a Long Driveway
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- Geotextile Fabric for Driveways: Woven vs Nonwoven and How Much You Need
- Compacting a Driveway Gravel Base in Lifts
- How Much Gravel for a 300 Foot Driveway?
- How Much Gravel for a 400 Foot Driveway?
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