How to Calculate Driveway Fill

Constructing a driveway requires excavating the area and then filling the hole with a stable base to support the weight of vehicles. Determining the amount of fill for a driveway involves calculating the volume of the excavation in cubic units. Using the standard formula for volume, V = L x W x H (volume equals length by width by height), driveway fill can be determined with a tape measure, calculator and a little math.

Tape measure
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the excavated area of the driveway with a tape measure.
- 2
  Multiply the width by the length by the depth to calculate the volume of the excavation. As an example, if the measurements of the excavation are 10-by-30 feet long by 2-feet deep the total volume of the excavation would equal 600 cubic feet (10 X 30 X 2 = 600).
- 3
  Subtract the substrate fill from the top, or surface, fill -- if any. As an example, a surface covering of 1 foot of concrete on a 2-foot deep excavation would require 300 cubic feet of substrate and 300 cubic feet of concrete (600 ÷ 2 = 300).

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