Gravel and crushed stone are often confused, but they have distinct differences. Gravel is natural loose stones with rounded edges, found in places like gravel pits or rivers. Crushed stone, on the other hand, is made by crushing large rocks (often limestone) into smaller pieces. As a result, crushed stone has sharper edges compared to gravel.

Both gravel and stone are categorized based on size. The numbers (like #57 or #10) indicate the particle size, determined by sifting the material through screens. Generally, higher numbers correspond to smaller sizes. Here’s a breakdown:

• #1: The largest size, with particles around 2-4 inches in diameter. It’s suitable for big projects and filling larger holes.
• #3: Smaller than #1, ranging from 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Ideal for railroad projects and areas requiring drainage, including driveway bases.
• #5: Particles are 1 inch or smaller, perfect for road and paver bases.
• #8: Contains stones between 3/8″ and 1/2″ in diameter. Commonly used in concrete mixes.
• #10: The smallest size, known as screenings or dust. It’s used for creating pavers and concrete blocks.

Additionally, there are specialty types:

• #57: Contains particles about 3/4 inch in diameter. Used for concrete mix, landscaping, and drainage.
• #67: Consists of particles 3/4 inch or less in diameter. Suitable for road, slab base, and fill.
• #411: A mix of #57 stone and #10 stone screenings. It’s used as a base for retaining walls, driveways, and gravel roads, providing stability and drainage.

Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right material for specific applications.

Dump trucks can hold between 13 and 25 tons of gravel (depending on the size/weight of the gravel), which is about 14 cubic yards. Transport costs are often reduced if you are ordering a loose load of gravel to be delivered in a dump truck.

To calculate the amount of gravel needed for a driveway in tons, you’ll need to consider the dimensions of the driveway and the desired thickness of the gravel layer. Here’s a simple guide to help you with the calculation:

1. Measure the dimensions: Start by measuring the length and width of your driveway in feet. For example, let’s say your driveway is 50 feet long and 10 feet wide.

2. Determine the desired thickness: Decide on the thickness of the gravel layer you want for your driveway. Typically, a 4-inch thickness is recommended for driveways. Convert this thickness to feet, which would be 4/12 = 0.33 feet.

3. Calculate the volume: Multiply the length, width, and thickness together to find the volume of gravel required. Using the example measurements, the calculation would be: 50 feet (length) × 10 feet (width) × 0.33 feet (thickness) = 165 cubic feet.

4. Convert to tons: Gravel is typically sold by the ton, so you’ll need to convert the volume from cubic feet to tons. The conversion rate varies depending on the specific type of gravel, as different gravel types have varying densities. As an average estimate, 1 cubic yard of gravel is roughly equal to 1.4 tons. Since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, divide the volume by 27: 165 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 6.11 cubic yards. Multiply this by the average conversion factor: 6.11 cubic yards × 1.4 tons/cubic yard = 8.55 tons.

Therefore, based on these calculations, you would need approximately 8.55 tons of gravel to cover a 50 ft × 10 ft driveway with a 4-inch layer. Keep in mind that these calculations are approximate, and it’s always advisable to purchase a slightly higher amount to account for any discrepancies or irregularities in the surface.

Here is a link to a simple Gravel Driveway Calculator:

Gravel Driveway Calculator

We offer convenient options for gravel and stone delivery. You can either pick up your order from our yard or have it delivered to your location. Delivery rates vary depending on your address, ranging from $40.00 to $100.00. The $100.00 fee applies to deliveries that are more than 10 miles away from our location in Rome.

Our main delivery areas include Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, and Trumbull Counties, but we can deliver to other locations as well.

Please note that if you need to cancel your delivery, we require a 24-hour notice. Failure to provide sufficient notice will result in a 5% cancellation fee, regardless of the order size.