Road Base / Crusher Run Calculator
Calculate how much crusher run or road base you need for a driveway, path, or road sub-base, in cubic yards, tons, or cost, based on your compacted depth.
Measure straight across the widest point.
Adjust depth below if needed.
Covers spillage and compaction. 5–10% is normal.
Everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere or stored.
Bags or bulk delivery?
—
Coverage & weight
Material profile
A 50×12 ft driveway base, 6 inches deep, needs about 11.11 cubic yards (17.72 tons of crusher run with a 10% compaction allowance). A deeper 8-inch road base needs roughly a third more material and should be compacted in two lifts, not dumped all at once.
Road base needed for common project sizes
Tons below vary by material — dense-graded crusher run, heavier Type 1/MOT base, or lighter recycled RCA.
| Project | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small parking pad (20×15 ft) | 6 in | 5.56 yd³ | 8.06 tons |
| Residential driveway (50×12 ft) | 6 in | 11.11 yd³ | 16.11 tons |
| Long driveway (100×12 ft) | 6 in | 22.22 yd³ | 32.22 tons |
| Rural road base (100×16 ft) | 8 in | 39.51 yd³ | 59.26 tons |
| Gravel path (60×3 ft) | 4 in | 2.22 yd³ | 3.17 tons |
| Large driveway / parking area (80×20 ft) | 6 in | 29.63 yd³ | 42.96 tons |
Road base types, density and typical use
| Type | Weight per yd³ | Best for | Drainage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crusher run (dense-graded) | 2,900 lb | Driveways, road base | Low |
| Type 1 / MOT road base | 3,000 lb | Heavy-duty road base | Low |
| Recycled crusher run (RCA) | 2,850 lb | Budget sub-base | Moderate |
Figures are for dry material. Wet or freshly delivered material can weigh noticeably more.
How to calculate road base you need
- Measure the driveway or base area. Length and width in feet, or use the circle/triangle shape for irregular pads.
- Set the compacted depth. 4″ for a foot path, 6″ for a residential driveway, 8″ for a base carrying heavier loads.
- Choose your base material. Crusher run for general driveways, Type 1/MOT for heavy-duty roads, recycled RCA for a budget sub-base.
- Add compaction waste. The calculator adds 10% by default since crusher run compacts down 10–15% once it’s rolled.
- Plan for two lifts if deep. Bases over 6″ are usually placed and compacted in two separate lifts, not dumped and rolled once.
Worked example
The calculator’s default scenario is a 50×12 ft driveway base, 6 inches deep, using dense-graded crusher run.
- Area50 ft × 12 ft = 600 sq ft
- Depth in feet6 ÷ 12 = 0.50 ft
- Volume600 × 0.50 = 300 cu ft
- Cubic yards300 ÷ 27 = 11.11 yd³
- MaterialCrusher run at 2,900 lb/yd³
- Tons before waste11.11 × 2,900 ÷ 2,000 = 16.11 tons
- Order with 10% waste16.11 × 1.10 = 17.72 tons
Recommended depth by project
| Project | Recommended depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Project type | Depth | Notes |
| Foot path / garden path base | 4 in | Enough support for foot traffic on well-drained soil |
| Residential driveway base | 6 in | Standard depth for cars and light trucks over compacted subgrade |
| Heavy-duty driveway / RV pad | 8 in | Extra depth for heavier vehicles or poor native soil |
| Road base / commercial access | 8–10 in | Type 1 or MOT-spec base for repeated heavy loads |
| Shed or patio sub-base | 4 in | Thin compacted layer under pavers, slabs, or a shed floor |
Bags or bulk delivery?
Road base is almost always bought in bulk by the ton — driveway and road projects need many tons, well past what bags can practically cover. At $5 a bag (~50 lb), bagged material runs about $200 per ton equivalent versus roughly $36 per ton plus an $80 delivery fee in bulk. The crossover is about 0.49 tons (roughly 20 bags).
- Small (under 0.5 tons)A pothole patch or small repair — a few bags from a hardware store is enough.
- Medium (0.5–15 tons)Most driveways — order bulk delivery with a dump-and-spread or self-unload; confirm the delivery minimum, often 1+ tons.
- Large (15+ tons)Long driveways or road base — bulk delivery in multiple loads; ask about dump truck capacity (typically 13–16 tons per load).
Common mistakes
- Skipping subgrade prep.Laying crusher run over unsettled or wet soil leads to ruts and sinking within a year.
- Not compacting in lifts.Dumping 6–8″ of base and compacting once leaves the bottom loose; compact in 2–3″ lifts instead.
- Using clean crushed stone instead of dense-graded base.Road base needs the fines (dust) to lock together; washed, clean stone won’t compact into a stable surface.
- Underestimating compaction loss.Loose crusher run compacts down 10–20%; the 10% waste factor is a minimum, not a cushion.
- Wrong depth for the load.4″ is fine for a garden path but will rut under a car; match depth to what will actually drive or park on it.
- Forgetting crown or slope for drainage.A flat base holds water and undermines itself; grade at least 1–2% away from structures.
What this calculator assumes
Adjust your result if your project differs from these.
- Density ranges 2,850–3,000 lb per cubic yard depending on the base material chosen.
- Depth entered is the final compacted depth, not the loose dumped depth.
- Waste factor defaults to 10% to cover compaction loss and spillage.
- Bags are assumed to be about 0.5 cu ft (~50 lb) each, suited to small repairs only.
- The calculator assumes a single uniform layer; deep bases should be compacted in multiple lifts.
- Area is the base footprint only, not adjacent excavation or edging.
Common questions
How deep should crusher run be for a driveway?
6 inches is standard; go 8 inches or more for heavy vehicles or soft native soil.
What's the difference between crusher run and Type 1/MOT?
Both are dense-graded mixes; Type 1/MOT has a slightly larger top size and denser grading, at about 3,000 lb/yd³ versus 2,900.
Does crusher run need to be compacted?
Yes, with a plate compactor or roller in 2–3″ lifts — uncompacted base will rut under vehicle weight.
Can I use recycled crusher run (RCA) for a driveway?
Yes, for a budget sub-base. It drains slightly better than virgin stone but can vary more in fines content — check local supplier specs.
How much does crusher run cost per ton?
Typically $30–$50 per ton delivered, plus a flat delivery fee, though it varies by region.
How many tons of road base do I need for a 50 ft driveway?
Depends on width and depth — a 50×12 ft driveway at 6 inches deep needs about 17.72 tons with waste.
Should road base drain water or hold it?
Road base is compacted to shed water off the surface, not to filter it through like a French drain stone.
Do I need geotextile fabric under road base?
Recommended on soft, clay, or wet subgrade to keep the base from sinking into mud over time.
How many lifts should I compact for an 8″ base?
Two lifts of about 4 inches each is standard practice.
Can I buy road base in bags for a small repair?
Yes, for patch jobs under about half a ton; anything larger is cheaper delivered in bulk.
Embed this calculator
Related calculators
Road Base / Crusher Run Calculator Estimate
—
materialcalculate.com/tools/road-base-crusher-run-calculator/
Project
| Shape | — |
| Dimensions | — |
| Depth | — |
| Area | — |
| Material | — |
| Waste allowance | — |
Volume & weight (incl. waste)
| Cubic yards | — |
| Cubic feet | — |
| Weight | — |
| Tons (rounded up) | — |
Shopping list
| Bulk order | — |
| Bagged alternative (0.5 cu ft) | — |
| Estimated cost | — |
Notes
Estimate generated by materialcalculate.com. Assumes uniform depth and standard dry material densities. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.