Crusher Run Calculator: Volume, Weight, Trips and Cost

What is crusher run, crush and run or road base?

Crusher run generally describes crushed aggregate containing a range of particle sizes, including fines. Regional names such as dense-grade aggregate, ABC and road base do not guarantee an identical gradation. Ask for the actual product specification and intended use, not just the name.

The EPA-hosted road manual explains why the balance of stone, sand and fines matters and why road surfacing and base products are different. It also distinguishes crushed particles from rounded natural stone. This supports product selection, not a universal density or depth. Surface-gravel manual, pp. 39–42 (external source).

Compare clean drainage stone and dense-graded products in the aggregate guide. For a drain, use a specified clean-stone/filter assembly and the French drain planner. For a shed, follow the maker’s requirements in the gravel shed-pad guide. Crusher run is not automatically suitable for either task.

Convert specified layer volume to an order

US geometric volume = area in sq ft × depth in inches ÷ 324. Metric geometric volume = area in m² × depth in cm ÷ 100. The calculator converts every measurement, matching density, payload and matching quote rate when changing units. US short tons are 2,000 lb; metric tonnes are 1,000 kg.

Order volume = geometric volume × supplier order factor × (1 + independent handling allowance). Then round to the supplier’s bulk increment. Weight = that purchase volume × a density describing the same material state. If a price is per ton, confirm which ton and whether the quotation includes delivery.

An assumed 20% uplift is a factor of 1.20. If a verified loose quantity loses 20% of its starting volume, its inverse conversion is 1 ÷ 0.80 = 1.25. Do not apply both to the same loss. Neutral factor 1 and allowance 0 leave the geometric amount unchanged; they are not verified compaction instructions.

Use the yards-to-tons converter for a separate conversion. The driveway layer calculator owns a multi-layer driveway takeoff; this tool owns a single product order and its transport assumptions.

12 × 20 ft order example

Try example loads a 240 sq ft area at an illustrative 4 in depth, supplier factor 1, handling allowance 12%, density 1.5 US ton/yd³ and no bulk increment. None is an industry default recommendation. Geometric volume is 2.9630 yd³; order volume is 3.3185 yd³; weight is 4.9778 US short tons.

The $40 figure happens to match one supplier listing below, but this density, order allowance, haul fee and resulting invoice are hypothetical. A supplier may require minimum loads or different batching increments.

Crusher run coverage chart

This is an arithmetic chart, not a thickness specification. Set depth from the chosen design and ground conditions. Larger quantities, softer soil or heavy traffic do not justify inventing a universal depth. Density and supplier conversion can change the order.

Truckloads: volume and payload both limit a trip

Effective load capacity is the smaller of legal payload and usable body volume × matching density. Divide total weight by effective weight capacity for fractional load equivalents, then round up for minimum actual trips. The final trip can be partial; rounding trips does not mean ordering another full truck of stone.

A “tri-axle” label alone does not establish legal payload, truck-body volume, road restrictions or access. Enter the dispatcher’s limits and confirm bridge, driveway and unload conditions. The delivery guide addresses the order and access questions.

A Southern Nursery in Greenville, SC lists #57 gravel and crusher run at $40/ton, before separately described delivery. Confirm units, tax, minimums and suitability. Supplier listing (external source).

For installation costs use the driveway quote planner. The material price here excludes unentered placement, equipment and site work; no bulk-discount or off-season-discount percentage is assumed.

Frequently asked questions