Item 4 Gravel Driveway: Depth, Tons and Lifts
Item 4 gravel is what many New York yards call crushed subbase stone: a dense mix of crushed rock from coarse pieces down to fine dust that compacts into a firm, smooth layer. The name traces back to the state highway specifications. For a driveway, Item 4 is a common base under asphalt and a common top course on gravel drives.
Item 4 tons calculator →What Item 4 is
The New York State DOT specifications include several types of subbase course under Section 304. Type 2 (pay item 304.12) must be approved blast furnace slag, stone from crushing or blasting ledge rock, or a blend of the two (NYSDOT Section 300). Suppliers commonly sell that material as Item 4, and some list it as crusher run, DGA or QP as well. Not every yard's "Item 4" is certified to the state spec, so ask if that matters for your job.
Similar materials elsewhere include Class 5 in Minnesota, dense grade aggregate in Kentucky and other states, and crusher run in much of the East.
How thick Item 4 goes on a driveway
Local rules sometimes spell it out. For example, the Town of Washington, New York's driveway guidelines call for a foundation of clean run-of-bank gravel (6 or 8 inches depending on the section) and a final course of at least 4 inches of Item 4 or processed gravel (Town of Washington guidelines). Other towns differ, and a driveway that will be paved should follow the paving contractor's section.
Typical homeowner patterns:
- Refreshing a worn gravel drive: a couple of inches of Item 4 over the existing firm stone.
- New drive on decent soil: several inches of Item 4, often over a coarser or bank-run layer on soft ground.
- Under asphalt: a compacted Item 4 base sized by your contractor; see six-inch gravel base tons.
Lay it in lifts
Item 4 performs because it is compacted. Spread it a few inches at a time, dampen it if it is dry, and compact each lift before adding the next. A single deep pile rolled once tends to stay loose underneath and settle later. See compacting gravel base in lifts and gravel base too dry to compact.
How many tons of Item 4
Cubic yards = length × width × depth (ft) ÷ 27. Multiply by the weight per yard; dense crushed subbase often runs about 1.4 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard. The table uses 1.5.
| Area | 2 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 40 ft (400 ft²) | ~2.5 yd³ / ~3.7 t | ~4.9 yd³ / ~7.4 t | ~7.4 yd³ / ~11.1 t |
| 12 × 50 ft (600 ft²) | ~3.7 yd³ / ~5.6 t | ~7.4 yd³ / ~11.1 t | ~11.1 yd³ / ~16.7 t |
| 12 × 100 ft (1,200 ft²) | ~7.4 yd³ / ~11.1 t | ~14.8 yd³ / ~22.2 t | ~22.2 yd³ / ~33.3 t |
These are loose figures before compaction; add a cushion so the compacted layer reaches the depth you want. Use the base calculator with your supplier's weight per yard, and see tons of gravel in a dump truck to turn tons into deliveries.
Item 4 versus clean stone
Clean stone such as #57 drains freely but does not pack into a smooth surface. Item 4 packs hard but drains more slowly. Many driveways use both: clean stone where drainage is needed and Item 4 where you drive. Driveway gravel sizes compares the common options.
Questions people ask
What is Item 4 gravel?
A crushed subbase stone sold in New York and nearby areas, named after state highway subbase specifications. It mixes coarse stone with fines so it compacts into a firm layer.
How thick should Item 4 be on a driveway?
It depends on soil, traffic and local rules. Some town guidelines call for at least 4 inches of Item 4 as the final course over a gravel foundation.
How many tons of Item 4 do I need?
Multiply length by width by depth in feet, divide by 27, and multiply by about 1.4 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard. A 12 by 50 foot drive at 4 inches is roughly 11 tons.
Is Item 4 the same as crusher run?
They are similar dense, crushed base materials and some yards use the names interchangeably, but gradations differ by supplier and state.
Related guides
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