Gravel · Austin, TX ·
How to build a gravel driveway in Austin: materials, depth and tons
A gravel driveway is one of the most common projects we deliver for in Austin. Getting the layers right up front is what keeps it from rutting after the first big rain.
Start with the subgrade
East Austin and much of Travis County sits on expansive clay that swells when wet. West of MoPac, you often hit limestone within a few inches. On clay, strip the topsoil and compact the ground; on rock, level the high spots so the base sits evenly.
The layers that last
Most drives use 4–6 inches of crushed limestone road base, compacted in 2–3 inch lifts, topped with 2–3 inches of gravel such as crushed granite or pea gravel. Heavy trucks or RVs call for the deeper end of that range.
How to work out how many tons you need
Multiply length × width in feet by depth in inches, then divide by 324 to get cubic yards. Most gravel, base and sand weigh roughly 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard; soil and mulch are lighter. Our materials calculator does the math with the real density of each material and rounds up to the order minimum, so you don't come up short on delivery day.
Truck access in Austin
A loaded dump truck needs about 12 feet of width and 14 feet of overhead clearance to reach the drop spot. Watch for low oak limbs, soft lawns after rain, septic fields and irrigation lines. Add a note to your order with gate codes or where you want the pile, and the driver will follow it.
Get it delivered in Austin
See current per-ton prices and book a delivery window.
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