How to Figure the Gravel for a Driveway

Every type of driveway requires a solid base material to ensure it survives the temperature changes that occur throughout the year. Gravel of varying sizes is used as a stable base material and has the ability to stand alone as a finished driveway. Correctly estimating the amount of gravel required for a driveway will ensure you order enough material to complete the driveway. Ordering the wrong amount of gravel will lead to an unstable driveway, or you can end up with a large amount of gravel left over in the area around the driveway.

Measuring wheel

Instructions

- 1
  Press the "Reset" button located near the counter of a measuring wheel. Walk to one end of your driveway. Set the measuring wheel on the ground and walk to the other end of your driveway. Note the measurement.
- 2
  Reset the measuring wheel. Measure the width of the driveway. Repeat the process of resetting and measuring the width of the driveway at multiple points. Make sure those multiple points are equally distant from one another. Add the multiple widths together and divide by the numbers of measurements to get an average. For example, 10 width measurements at 10-foot intervals with a multiple-width total of 150 would give you a 15-foot average width.
- 3
  Multiply the driveway length by its average width and then by the required depth to determine the cubic feet of the driveway. Gravel depth can vary from 2 inches -- for an existing driveway -- to 12 inches for a new driveway.
- 4
  Divide the cubic feet of the driveway by 27 to convert the measurement to cubic yards -- the standard measurement for gravel.

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