How Much Crushed Stone for a 12×24 driveway?
This calculator is pre-filled to estimate the crushed stone for a 12×24 driveway. Change any field to match your project, and enter your local price for a precise cost.
Quick answer: A 12×24 driveway at a 3 in depth needs about 4.1 tons of crushed stone (2.80 cubic yards).
Crushed Stone calculator
How it's calculated: Length ft × width ft × (depth in ÷ 12) = cubic feet; add 5% waste and divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.45 tons per cubic yard.
How to estimate crushed stone
- Angular crushed stone locks together and compacts better than rounded river gravel for bases and driveways.
- #57 stone drains well and is common for French drains and under slabs.
- Crushed stone weighs roughly 1.4-1.5 tons per cubic yard.
- Order minus stone (with fines) where you want a hard compacted layer, and washed clean stone where you want drainage.
- Ask the driver to tailgate-spread along the run if access allows - it beats moving four tons by wheelbarrow.
Frequently asked questions
How Much Crushed Stone for a 12×24 driveway?
A 12×24 driveway at a 3 in depth needs about 4.1 tons of crushed stone (2.80 cubic yards).
What is the difference between gravel and crushed stone?
Crushed stone is mechanically broken so it has angular, locking faces; gravel is naturally rounded. Crushed stone compacts harder, which is why it is preferred for bases.
What does #57 stone mean?
It is a standard size grade of washed stone roughly 3/4 to 1 inch. With no fines it drains freely, which is why it shows up in French drains, under slabs and around foundations.
How do I convert area to tons?
Multiply length x width x depth in feet for cubic feet, divide by 27 for yards, then multiply by about 1.45. A 12x24 pad at 3 inches, for example, comes to about 2.8 cubic yards, or roughly 4 tons.
Do I need fabric under crushed stone?
On firm ground, no. On soft, wet or clay-heavy subgrade, geotextile fabric stops the stone from punching down into the mud - it often pays for itself in stone you do not have to re-order.
Can I use crushed stone as a paver or shed base?
Yes - dense-grade crushed stone with fines is the standard base for pavers, sheds and slabs. Compact it in 2-inch lifts and it sets up nearly as hard as the surface above it.