Calculator Tag: Driveway

Concrete Driveway Calculator

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Concrete Driveway Calculator

Estimate the concrete, rebar, gravel, and form material needed for a concrete driveway installation and get a price estimate by planning the location on a map or entering the length and width.

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Material Estimate:
{{concrete}} yds³
{{forms_stakes}}
{{rebar}} ft
{{crushed_stone_base}} yds³
{{forms}} ft

Estimated Material Cost:

${{concrete_cost}}
${{rebar_cost}}
${{crushed_stone_base_cost}}
${{forms_cost}}
${{forms_stakes_cost}}
${{total_cost}}

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{{driveway_area}} ft²
{{driveway_perimeter}} ft

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How to Estimate Material for a Concrete Driveway

Concrete is a beautiful, long-lasting, and maintenance-free choice for a driveway. There are many steps in preparing for a driveway project, and one of the most important is having the right materials ready for the job.

Of course, you need to order the right concrete for your driveway, but before that, you also need to have a proper base prepared, a rebar grid installed, and forms ready to contain the concrete while it hardens.

All of these materials need to be ordered in the correct amounts for the project to be completed successfully. Concrete, in particular, must be poured at once; if you don’t order enough for the single pour, your driveway may not last.

How Much Concrete Do You Need for a Driveway?

Concrete is sold by the cubic yard, which is a measure of volume. To find the amount of concrete needed for a driveway, you simply find the volume of the space to fill in cubic yards.

Start by finding the area of the driveway in square feet. Multiply the length by the width in feet to find the square footage.

Next, multiply the area in feet by the depth of what you want the concrete to be in feet. Since the depth of a driveway is commonly measured in inches, divide the inch measurement by 12 to find the depth in feet.

Multiply the square footage by the depth in feet to find the volume in cubic feet. You can find the volume by measuring length × width × depth.

Finally, divide the cubic footage by 27 to find the volume in cubic yards. This is the amount of concrete needed.

Let’s illustrate this using an example of a driveway that is 20’ wide by 50’ long and has a depth of 8″.

20 × 50 = 1000 ft2
8” ÷ 12 = .66666667′
1000 × .66666667’ = 666.67 ft3
666.67 ÷ 27 = 24.69 yds3

Our concrete calculator makes it easy to estimate concrete, and you can use it instead of the equations above.

How Much Rebar Do You Need

When installing a new concrete driveway, it is essential to add reinforcement to prevent major cracking as the driveway shifts. You can do this by adding a grid of rebar or by adding wire mesh to the concrete mix.

Mesh is used if your driveway is 4″ to 5″ thick, while rebar is needed for driveways that are 5″ thick or thicker. If you choose to use rebar, most professionals recommend using a #3 or #4 rebar installed in a grid spaced 12″ apart.

Estimating Rebar for a Rectangular Driveway

To estimate rebar for a regular driveway that is a standard rectangle, you’ll need to know the length and width. You’ll need a row or column every 12″ of the driveway, spaced about 3″-6″ from the edge. Subtract 6-12″ from the length and width measurements to get the length and width of the rebar grid.

To find the rows of rebar in the grid, find the length of the grid in feet to find the number of rebar pieces, and they should be equal to the width of the grid in length. To find the columns of rebar in the grid, find the grid’s width in feet to find the number of pieces of rebar, and the length of the grid is the length of the rebar pieces.

Estimating Rebar for an Irregular Driveway

To estimate rebar for an irregular driveway, you’ll need to know the area of the driveway in square footage and the perimeter of the driveway in feet. The perimeter is the measurement around the driveway and is taken in linear feet, meaning that you only need the total length around the driveway and no other measurements.

Multiply the square footage by 2 and add that to the perimeter divided by 2.

(square feet × 2) + (perimeter ÷ 2) = rebar length in feet

How Much Base Gravel do You Need

Most concrete contractors recommend installing a base of compacted gravel that is 4″ to 12″ deep below the driveway. It is essential to add a base to prevent settling and erosion and assists with drainage beneath the driveway.

Most driveways will use around 6″ of crushed, compacted gravel beneath the concrete.

Gravel is often sold by the cubic yard, so you can use the method we showed above for finding the cubic yards of concrete to find the yards of gravel. Use our cubic yardage calculator to find the amount of gravel needed for your driveway project.

Keep in mind that compacted gravel takes up less space than loose gravel. To ensure you have enough gravel, always order about 20% more than the loose gravel amount.

Planning Forms for Concrete Driveway Pour

When installing a concrete driveway, it will be important to set up forms to contain the concrete while it cures. A form is commonly a board secured to stakes that are driven into the ground and installed in the shape of the driveway.

For straight sections, you can use 2×4 or 2×6 pieces of dimensional lumber. For curved areas, hardboard siding makes a nice flexible form and is easily attached to wooden stakes. The amount of form material needed is equal to the perimeter of the driveway.

Measure the perimeter in feet, and round up to the nearest whole foot if between measurements. You will order this many linear feet of dimensional lumber to create the form.

There are two forms of stakes that can be used to secure the forms to the ground. Most professionals use steel concrete pins, which are basically large metal stakes with nail holes and are intended to be reused on many projects. A second and more cost-effective option is to use long wooden stakes, which can usually be used only once.

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Summary

Installing a concrete driveway usually costs $4,000 – $8,500 and requires several materials that you’ll need to plan out in detail before starting the project. Use our calculator above to help plan out your driveway project.
See our gravel driveway calculator if you are exploring using gravel as an alternative option for your project.

Recommended Driveway Resources

Gravel Driveway Calculator

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Gravel Driveway Calculator

Find the amount of gravel needed for a driveway by entering the dimensions of the driveway below. Add the price per cubic yard to estimate the cost of the stone.

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Crushed Stone Material Estimate:

{{cubic_yards}}
{{tons}}

*Estimate only – weight varies by material type.

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How to Estimate a Gravel Driveway

Crushed stone is a common material to use for a driveway because it offers a nice clean look, resists weeds, and is easy to install. Gravel driveways are also one of the most affordable types, making them a good choice for homeowners that have large driveways or who are on a budget.

Gravel does have a tendency to migrate, however, so many people with gravel driveways need to order new material every few years to keep the driveway looking its best. Gravel is commonly sold by the cubic yard, so to find the material needed for a driveway, you need to find the volume in yards.

Calculate How Many Cubic Yards of Gravel You Need

Estimating gravel driveway materials is as simple as estimating the cubic yards of volume the driveway needs to be. Cubic yards are found by multiplying the length by the width by the depth in yards.

Find the driveway’s length and width in yards by dividing the measurement in feet by 3. A 100′ measuring tape or measuring wheel may be needed to find these measurements depending on how long the driveway is.

Divide the measurement in inches by 36 to find the driveway’s depth in yards.

Most driveways should have a depth of 6″-8″ of gravel, but the entire driveway should be between 12″ to 18″ deep, made up of several different layers of material.

The top layer can be anywhere from 4″ to 8″ depending on your preferences and the type of gravel being used.

In most cases, you will have three layers of gravel: a sub-base that will be 6″ deep, a base that is 6″ deep, and a surface that is 6″ deep.

Each type of gravel will be different, with the sub-base being made of #3 gravel. This is a mixture of crushed stone up to 2″ in size.

The base layer or middle layer is usually made of #57 crushed stone. These stones are round but rough and are about the size of golf balls.

The final layer or surface layer can be made of smaller, more attractive gravel, including pea gravel, Jersey shore gravel, river rocks, or marble chips. Because this layer is finer, it is more likely to migrate and is the layer that most commonly must be replenished periodically.

The formula to find volume is length × width × depth. Multiply the width by the length by the depth in yards to find the cubic yards of gravel needed.

For example, if you are creating a driveway that is 30′ long and 12′ wide, and will use 18″ of total material, your calculations will look like this:

10 × 4 × .17 = 6.8 cu yds per layer

Round up to the nearest full yard for 7 cubic yards of each type of gravel used.

You will need to take this step for each layer if you are creating a new driveway. If you are replenishing the top layer, you will only need to do this once.

It’s a good idea to make sure that you have at least some extra gravel for each layer. Gravel can shift and you may lose some during the transfer from the truck to the driveway. By ordering roughly 10% more, you can mitigate any losses and ensure that you have enough material for the project.

Calculate How Many Tons of Gravel are Needed

Gravel is sometimes sold by the ton instead of the cubic yard. If you know how many cubic yards of gravel are needed, then find the number of tons needed by multiplying the cubic yards by 1.35.
For example, let’s calculate how much 50 cubic yards of gravel weighs using this formula.

50 cu yds × 1.35 = 67.5 tons

Note that different materials have different weights. Crushed gravel weighs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, but other materials may vary in weight.

You can learn more about this on our gravel calculator.

Keep in mind that there are many types of crushed stone and rock that can be used on a driveway. Depending on your area and how much rain you get, you may use different base layers to facilitate drainage.

The larger the rocks used, the less volume you get per ton. Small rocks and gravel will shift together more tightly, so you can get a lot more volume per ton, and therefore have different weights.

Gravel driveways can range in price depending on their size and the type of gravel used, learn more about what impacts the cost.

Keep in mind that while most gravel driveways are more affordable than other driveways, they do require a lot more upkeep and maintenance. This includes adding additional material to the driveway periodically. The more costly your top surface layer, the more expensive your upkeep.

See our concrete driveway calculator if you want to compare to using concrete for your project.

Recommended Driveway Resources

Asphalt Calculator

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Asphalt Calculator

Estimate the amount of asphalt and base needed for a driveway parking lot, or small road and estimate the price of material using our calculator below.

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Material Estimate:

{{ hot_mix_asphalt_tons}} tons
{{ crushed_stone_base_min}} – {{crushed_stone_base_max }} yds³

Estimated Material Cost:

{{ hot_mix_asphalt_display_price}} $
{{ crushed_stone_base_min_price}} – {{crushed_stone_base_max_price }} $
{{ equipment_min_price}} – {{equipment_max_price }} $
{{ estimated_total_min_cost}} – {{estimated_total_min_cost }} $

*Estimate only – costs vary by location/vendor, selected material, and quantities.

Installation Overview:

{{driveway_area}} ft²
{{driveway_perimeter}} ft²

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How to Estimate Asphalt

Asphalt is a cost-effective and attractive option for a driveway or parking lot compared to alternatives, such as concrete, and requires little maintenance. Its dark color gives it an attractive appearance and hides imperfections.

Blacktop is a popular material in the north and areas where freeze/thaw conditions may cause materials like concrete to crack. Asphalt is made of a mixture of aggregates, including sand, crushed stone, or gravel held together with a binder made of bitumen.

Different grades and types of asphalt are available, which can influence things like cost and usage. When preparing for a new driveway, it’s essential to estimate the asphalt and other materials needed and be armed with a realistic labor cost to ensure you get a fair price.

How Much Asphalt Do You Need?

Hot mix asphalt is most often sold by the ton, and coverage varies based on the mix of aggregate and binder. Most asphalt mixes used for driveways and parking lots will weigh 142-148 pounds per cubic foot of coverage, with 145 being the average.

Using this formula, it is possible to find out how much asphalt you’ll need for a project.

To find the cubic footage of the project, multiply the length by the width by the depth in feet, then by the depth of the asphalt, or just use a cubic footage calculator. For example, 3” of asphalt is equal to 0.25 feet.

For example, a 10′ wide x 20′ long driveway with a depth of 3″ would be 50 cubic feet.

10′ × 20′ × 0.25′ = 50 ft3

To find the amount of asphalt needed, multiply the cubic footage by 145 to find the total weight needed, then divide by 2,000.

50 ft3 × 145 = 7,250 lbs
7,250 lbs ÷ 2,000 = 3.625 tons

You might also be interested in our asphalt sealer calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can install asphalt in different thicknesses, but 3″ is the minimum thickness you should install. Residential driveways should be a minimum of 3″ thick with a 2″ thick base layer of asphalt and a 1″ thick top-wearing surface.

However, in cold climates, it is frequently recommended that you go thicker, using between 4″ and 6″ of full-depth asphalt. This will ensure that your driveway will be less likely to crack or develop frost heaves over time.

Parking lots expecting light-duty usage should be a minimum of 4-5″ thick, while parking lots designed for heavy-duty or truck use should be at least 7-8″ thick.

Most professionals suggest installing asphalt over a base of compacted crushed rock. Residential driveways installed over a sandy surface should have a 4″ compacted crushed gravel base, and driveways installed over clay should have an 8″ compacted crushed gravel base. Parking lots should also have an 8″ crushed gravel base.

Using a base can help you reduce the amount of asphalt needed. A base of crushed gravel that is 4” to 6” deep with a 3” base of asphalt on top can be a good option for many homes and may save over using a full thickness of asphalt.

Asphalt driveways typically cost $4,000 – $8,000 to install, depending on the size, local labor rates, and amount of prep work needed. If you need to remove an existing driveway, the costs could increase. Labor rates vary in different regions, and the overall cost will vary significantly with the cost of labor.

Recommended Driveway Resources

Asphalt Sealer Calculator

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Asphalt Sealer Calculator

Use the calculator below to estimate how many gallons of sealer you’ll need to seal an asphalt driveway.

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How to Calculate How Much Asphalt Sealer You Need

Adding a fresh coat of sealer every few years is the best way to maintain your asphalt driveway’s appearance and protect the surface from water penetration, oxidation, and cracks. Calculating how much sealer you need is essential to ensure you have the right amount for your application.

You can calculate the amount of sealer required for an asphalt driveway in a few easy steps.

Step One: Determine the Coverage Rate

The coverage rate of an asphalt sealer is a critical factor in determining how much product you need. This rate indicates the area that can be covered by a certain amount of sealer under specific conditions. Manufacturers typically provide this information on the product label, and it is expressed in square feet per gallon (sq ft/gal).

The coverage rate can vary depending on several factors:

  • Type of sealer: Different formulas (e.g., acrylic, coal tar, asphalt emulsion) have different consistencies and spreading capabilities.
  • Application method: Sprayer, squeegee, or brush applications can affect how thinly or thickly the sealer is applied.
  • Surface condition: Rough, porous surfaces require more sealer than smooth surfaces, so if your driveway is in poor condition, it will likely require more sealer to cover.
  • Number of coats: Applying multiple coats will obviously require more product.

In our experience, most products cover around 100 square feet per gallon, but some products cover more or less. We’ve also found that when applying multiple coats, the second coat uses far less sealer than the first since the first coat absorbs more sealer.

Step Two: Calculate Sealer Needed

Once you know the coverage rate, you can calculate the amount of sealer needed for your driveway. Here’s the formula:

sealer needed (gallons) =
driveway area (sq ft)
coverage rate (sq ft ⁄ gallon)

The amount of sealer required in gallons is equal to the area to be sealed in square feet divided by the product’s coverage rate in square feet per gallon.

Keep in mind that sealer is usually sold in five-gallon buckets, so if you’re project needs 7 gallons, you’ll likely need to purchase two five-gallon buckets of sealer (10 gallons total) for the job.

For example, let’s apply the above formula to a driveway that is 50 feet long and 25 feet wide, using a sealer with a coverage rate of 100 sq ft per gallon for the first coat and 150 sq ft per gallon for the second coat.

Start by calculating the driveway’s area in square feet. You can use our square footage calculator to find this, or use the area formula like this:

area = 50 ft × 25 ft = 1,250 sq ft

Then, calculate the amount of sealer needed for the first coat.

first coat =
1,250 sq ft
100 sq ft ⁄ gal
= 12.5 gallons

You can repeat this to find the amount of sealer needed for the second coat.

second coat =
1,250 sq ft
150 sq ft ⁄ gal
= 8.3 gallons

And finally, add them together to find the total amount of sealer needed for the job.

total sealer needed (gallons) = 12.5 + 8.3 = 20.8 gallons

Therefore, for a 50 by 25 foot driveway, you would need approximately 21 gallons of sealer to apply two coats. You would likely need five buckets of sealer for this project.

You can use our guide to calculating sealer cost to estimate how much this project will cost.

Recommended Driveway Resources