Ordering too little means a second delivery. Ordering too much means a pile you did not plan for. The math below takes two minutes and works for any rectangular driveway.
The cubic yard formula
Multiply length by width by depth, with all three in feet. That gives cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards, because one cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet.
Worked examples
Two common driveways, at the two most common top-layer depths:
| Driveway | Size | Depth | Cubic yards (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car | 10 x 20 ft | 3 in | About 2 |
| 1-car | 10 x 20 ft | 4 in | About 2.5 |
| 2-car | 20 x 20 ft | 3 in | About 4 |
| 2-car | 20 x 20 ft | 4 in | About 5 |
Round up to the nearest half yard and add a little extra for compaction and uneven ground. It is cheaper than a second truck.
Depth is the part people get wrong
Three to four inches is the standard top layer over a properly compacted base. Soft or low ground often needs a thicker base underneath, not just more top stone. If your tape measure says one number and your gut says another, call us and we will sanity-check the math before you order.
From math to a delivered load
Once you have your cubic yards, the next decision is material. Our driveway materials service pairs the right stone with the right base for South Florida soil and rain, and gravel delivery covers the county. Browse the full inventory or start a fast quote with your measurements and we will confirm the load.