Crushed Stone Calculator

A 20 ft × 10 ft driveway pad at 4 inches deep runs about 2.47 loose cubic yards. With a 15% compaction allowance, order about 3.8 tons of #57. For full driveways with vehicle traffic, 4-6 inches over compacted subgrade is the standard spec.

The workhorse: 3/4-inch-and-down graded crushed limestone that locks together when compacted, drains well, and stays put under tires — the standard for driveway bases, patio subbases, and under sheds. #411 (with fines) compacts even harder for the top layer of a drive; wash #57 for drainage projects where fines would clog.

15% is the standard allowance — crushed stone loses 10-20% of its volume under a plate compactor. Skipping it is the classic DIY mistake: the drive looks finished, then two months later it is half an inch low and puddling.

About 1.35 tons (2700 lb/yd³ for typical limestone). A full-size pickup holds about a half yard safely (1350 lb) — bulk delivery is the move above 2 yards, and most quarries have a minimum delivery charge, so batching up a little is usually free.

For driveways and patios: yes — geotextile fabric between the subgrade and the stone keeps the stone from sinking into the soil over freeze-thaw cycles. Skip it for French drains (it clogs); there you want washed stone wrapped in drainage-specific filter fabric.