Gravel in Ann Arbor, MI

A typical tri-axle dump truck used for Hello Gravel deliveries carries roughly 8 to 12 cubic yards of gravel. At 2 inches deep that covers about 1,300 to 1,950 square feet; at 4 inches it covers about 650 to 975 square feet. Exact coverage depends on the truck size, gravel type, and final compacted depth.

Prices vary by material and supplier, but in the Ann Arbor area expect roughly $30 to $70 per cubic yard or about $25 to $60 per ton delivered for common crushed stone or driveway mix. Final price depends on stone size, local quarry supply, delivery distance, and any spreading services; use Hello Gravel to get an exact quote for your zip code.

One ton of typical crushed stone is about 0.7 cubic yards, which will cover roughly 110 to 120 square feet at a 2-inch depth. If you need a deeper layer, coverage decreases proportionally (for example about 55 to 60 square feet at 4 inches). Use the area-depth formula to calculate exact needs for your project.

For a 20-foot wide driveway, first measure the length and decide on depth (most residential driveways use 4 to 6 inches compacted). As an example: a 20 ft wide by 50 ft long driveway at 4 inches needs about 37 cubic yards? Wait—check math. 20*50=1000 sq ft; depth 4u0022=0.333 ft; volume = 333 cubic ft = 12.3 cubic yards. That equals about 17 to 18 tons. Prices will vary by material and delivery; enter your dimensions in Hello Gravel's calculator for an accurate quote.

No. In Ann Arbor's freeze-thaw climate and for vehicle traffic, 2 inches is generally too thin. We recommend a compacted base of 4 to 6 inches for passenger vehicles and 6 to 8 inches for heavier trucks to avoid rutting and frost heave.

Locally common and economical choices include crushed limestone and recycled crushed concrete because they are widely available in Southeast Michigan. Material cost is only part of the total—proper base preparation and compaction reduce long-term maintenance, so consider total lifecycle cost when choosing a material.

Yes, homeowners can install small gravel projects themselves by removing topsoil, adding and compacting a base, and spreading the finish gravel. For larger driveways or projects on clay soils common around Ann Arbor, renting a plate compactor and following good drainage practices is important; contractors can save time and ensure proper compaction.

A common and practical choice is 3/4-inch crushed stone for the top layer, which locks together well and sheds water. For base layers use larger angular stone (1 to 1 1/2 inches) or a crush-and-run mix with fines to aid compaction. Pea gravel is less stable under tires and can migrate, so it is less ideal for driveways.

Ordering larger quantities reduces the per-ton price and makes delivery more efficient; Hello Gravel's minimum order is 3 tons, and larger orders often lower unit cost. Also compare local suppliers, choose commonly stocked materials (like crushed limestone), and schedule standard delivery instead of expedited options to keep costs down.

One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. A typical wheelbarrow holds about 3 cubic feet, so a cubic yard fills roughly 9 wheelbarrow loads. Wheelbarrow capacity varies, so expect between 8 and 10 loads for practical planning.

You can put gravel over grass for a temporary surface, but for a long-lasting result remove the turf, grade the area, add a compacted base, and install a geotextile fabric to limit weed growth. Leaving grass under gravel often leads to settling, weeds, and drainage problems, especially with Ann Arbor's wet springs.

Gravel is durable but not maintenance-free; with proper base preparation and periodic top-ups it can last 10 to 20 years or more for driveways. Traffic, weather, and drainage control the lifespan—areas with poor drainage or heavy use will need more frequent replenishment.

Not exactly. Gravel is naturally rounded rock from rivers or glacial deposits, while crushed stone is angular rock produced by crushing larger stones at quarries. In practice for driveways and landscaping in Ann Arbor, crushed stone is often preferred because its angular shape locks together and compacts better.

Measure the area in square feet, multiply by desired depth in feet, and divide by 27 to get cubic yards (Area x Depth / 27 = cubic yards). To estimate tons, multiply cubic yards by about 1.4 (ton per cubic yard varies by stone). Hello Gravel's online calculator can do this for you and provide a delivery quote for your zip code.