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How Much Pea Gravel for a 6x60 Walkway?

A 6 by 60 foot walkway is 360 square feet. How much pea gravel for a 6x60 walkway depends on depth: at 3 inches it is about 3.33 cubic yards or 4.7 tons. Suppliers usually sell by the ton, so the tonnage is the number to give them.

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The math for a 6x60 walkway

  1. Area: 6 × 60 = 360 sq ft.
  2. Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
  3. Cubic feet: 360 × 0.250 = 90.0 cu ft.
  4. Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 3.33 yd³.
  5. Tons: × 1.4 = 4.7 tons.

The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.

Pea gravel needed by depth

DepthCubic yardsTons (approx.)Tons +10%
2 in2.223.13.4
3 in3.334.75.1
4 in4.446.26.8

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. Weight per yard is a planning number; the scale ticket at the yard is the real one.

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. 5.1 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 walkway as firm ground allows.

Good and poor uses for pea gravel

Best suited to:

  • 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 8x16 area at 3 inches takes about 1.7 tons.
  • Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.

Where estimates go wrong

  • Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
  • Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
  • Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
  • Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.

Questions people ask

How many tons of pea gravel for a 6x60 walkway?

About 4.7 tons at 3 inches deep, or 5.1 tons with 10 percent extra.

How many cubic yards is a 6x60 walkway at 3 inches?

About 3.33 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 6x60?

360 square feet.

Related guides

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