Gravel Depth by Use — Driveway vs Path vs Decorative
Gravel is cheap by the ton but expensive when you get the depth wrong. Too thin and it sinks into the mud. Too thick and you've paid for material you don't need. Here's the definitive depth guide by application:
| Application | Depth | Base Layer | Tons per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decorative ground cover | 1-2 inches | Landscape fabric | 0.5-1 ton |
| Garden path | 2-3 inches | 2-3" compacted base | 1-1.5 tons |
| Patio base | 4-6 inches | Crushed stone, compacted | 2-3 tons |
| Driveway | 6-8 inches | 4-6" #3 stone + 2-4" #57 stone on top | 3-4 tons |
| French drain | 12-18 inches | Clean #57 stone, wrapped in fabric | 5-7 tons |
💡 The "one-size-fits-all" trap: Pea gravel is pretty but terrible for driveways — the round stones never lock together and your car tires will sink. Use angular crushed stone (#57 or #3) for anything that bears weight. Save pea gravel and river rock for decorative beds where nothing drives or walks heavily.