How Much Pea Gravel for a 4x30 Walkway?
How much pea gravel for a 4x30 walkway is a quick volume problem. 120 square feet at 3 inches comes to 1.11 cubic yards. Pea gravel usually weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, so plan on roughly 1.6 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 4x30 walkway
- Area: 4 × 30 = 120 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 120 × 0.250 = 30.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 1.11 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.4 = 1.6 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Pea gravel needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.74 | 1.0 | 1.1 |
| 3 in | 1.11 | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| 4 in | 1.48 | 2.1 | 2.3 |
About pea gravel
Because pea gravel is round, it never fully locks. Keep depths modest on walkways and patios so it does not feel like walking on a beach, and use edging. Ask your supplier for their own tons-per-yard figure, since stone source and moisture shift it.
Preparing the walkway
Dig the path a few inches below grade, compact the bottom, add fabric if needed and install edging on both sides so the material stays on the walk. For foot 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. 1.7 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 walkway as firm ground allows.
When to choose pea gravel
Works well for:
- Patios, walkways and dog runs
- Play areas with proper depth and edging
- Drainage around foundations when sized properly
Think twice for:
- Driveways and steep paths, where it rolls and ruts
- Under pavers as a base
- Areas without edging
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.43 tons of pea gravel (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.3 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 10x20 area at 3 inches takes about 2.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- 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.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
Questions people ask
How many tons of pea gravel for a 4x30 walkway?
About 1.6 tons at 3 inches deep, or 1.7 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 4x30 walkway at 3 inches?
About 1.11 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of pea gravel weigh?
Usually around 1.3 to 1.5 tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.
How deep should pea gravel be for a walkway?
The table above shows 2 to 4 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.
How many square feet is 4x30?
120 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 Pea Gravel for a 4x20 Walkway?
- How Much Pea Gravel for a 4x25 Walkway?
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