Tonnage for compacted bases under driveways, pads and paths, with the compaction allowance built in.
Road base compacts 10–15% the moment a plate compactor touches it. Order the loose-volume number and your 6-inch base finishes at 5. This calculator adds the allowance up front, so the compacted result hits your target depth.
Road base is a graded blend of crushed rock and fines that packs into a near-solid foundation. It sits under asphalt roads, and it belongs under gravel driveways, parking pads, sheds and paver patios. At about 1.36 tons per loose cubic yard it is among the densest materials we deliver.
The formula, with a worked example
cubic yards = (L ft × W ft × compacted depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × 1.15
tons = cubic yards × 1.36
A 12 × 20 ft parking pad at 6 inches compacted: 120 cubic feet, or 4.4 cubic yards. Add 15% for compaction and you get 5.1 loose yards. Times 1.36 is 6.9 tons. The calculator rounds up to 7; make it 7.5 on soft ground.
How much does a ton of road base cover?
Road base at 1.36 tons per loose cubic yard (about 2,720 lb). Compacted coverage runs about 15% less:
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 116 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 77 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 58 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 39 sq ft |
How much does road base weigh?
About 2,720 pounds per loose cubic yard, or 1.36 tons, and roughly 3,200 per in-place yard once compacted. Per delivered ton, figure about 119 square feet at 2 inches loose, or 58 at a 4-inch compacted depth after the 15% consolidation.
Road base FAQs
How much road base do I need for a driveway?
A 12 × 50 ft driveway at 6 inches compacted needs about 12.8 loose cubic yards, roughly 17 tons, with the 15% compaction allowance included. Enter your dimensions above for the exact figure.
What is the difference between road base and crusher run?
Mostly the name. Both are crushed rock graded from about 1 inch down to dust, designed to compact tight, with specs varying a little by quarry. Both make excellent bases. Both want a cleaner stone on top as the wear layer.
How much does road base compact?
Plan on 10–15% volume loss under proper plate compaction. This calculator defaults to a 15% allowance: order the loose volume, hit the compacted depth.
Can I use road base as the top layer of a driveway?
You can, and it packs into a firm, drivable surface. Expect dust in dry weather and a muddy film in wet. Most people cap it with 2–3 inches of 3/4″ clean gravel and are happier for it.
