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Crusher run calculator for Montana

A base material that compacts into a pavement-like layer, calculated for finished depth rather than loose placement.

Enter your project dimensions

ft
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ft
Enter a width greater than 0
ft
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in
Enter a depth between 0.25 and 24 inches
Add 5% extra for compaction & spillage

Because crusher run settles 10-15% during compaction, calculations need to account for the finished depth rather than the loose load. This calculator has the +10% allowance turned on so the completed base is not half an inch short. In Montana, it may also be called Pit Run, bank run, pit gravel, or 2 inch minus on some tickets. Each refers to crushed stone containing fines, about 3,000 lb per cubic yard, which compacts into a surface that resists tire movement.

Calculate from finished depth

  1. Start with the area in feet: multiply lane length by width, or record the pad measurements.
  2. Because the finished layer sets the result, enter its compacted depth: 4 inches for paths and pavers, 4-6 for driveways, and 6-8 under trucks.
  3. For yards, divide cubic feet by 27; multiply yards by 1.5 for tons; leave the +10% enabled. Use the depth after rolling, since that is how specifications are stated.
Tons = (Area sq ft × Compacted depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × 1.5 × 1.10

Tons and coverage

Compacted depth1 cubic yard covers1 ton covers
2 inches162 sq ft≈ 108 sq ft
4 inches81 sq ft≈ 54 sq ft
6 inches54 sq ft≈ 36 sq ft
8 inches41 sq ft≈ 27 sq ft

Suitable uses

  • For driveway construction, compact 4-6 inches for the base and add 2-3 inches of #57 or driveway gravel as the driving surface.
  • For economical rural lanes, crusher run can provide a drivable surface. Dry summer weather brings dust, and regrading is expected every 2-4 years.
  • Build paver and slab bases to 4 inches, compacting in 2-inch lifts. The Paver Base Calculator covers the complete paver stack.
  • For shed and spa pads, use 4 inches over stripped ground and 6 on soft soil.
  • Do not use it in a French drain. Fines help crusher run bind, but they also retain water; clean #57 or drain rock is for drainage.

Example: a 20 x 10 parking pad

Deep frost makes thorough compaction important. For 200 square feet at a 4-inch compacted thickness, 200 x 0.333 = 67 cubic feet = 2.5 cubic yards, which equals 3.7 tons, so include the allowance and order 4 tons. Put down half the material and compact it, then repeat with the remaining half. Two 2-inch lifts hold up years longer than placing one 4-inch layer at once, and a plate compactor rental for the afternoon is cheaper than repairing the first pothole. By the second delivery, drivers can often see skipped compaction in the ruts.

Delivery guidance

  • Put base and surface stone on the same delivery to keep the work moving. Delivery is free either way.
  • Start by tipping at the end farthest from the pile, then spread material back toward it. For big pads, working downhill saves a full day over working uphill.
  • A light mist on each lift before compaction helps it bind. Damp crusher run packs more tightly than dry material.
  • Set aside a wheelbarrow-load for future repairs. It can be used to fill potholes when they appear.

Pricing information

Crusher run is produced directly from crusher output rather than washed, sorted stone. The +10% allowance on a 4-ton order can help avoid a second half-ton delivery. Check the Crusher Run product page for the per-ton price, compare Road Base, and order both driveway layers in one free delivery.

Crusher run, Pit Run, bank run, and pit gravel questions

What quantity of crusher run is needed for a driveway?
Calculate lane area, use a finished depth of 4-6 inches, convert using 1.5 tons per yard, then include 10%. For a 50 x 10 ft lane finished at 4 inches, the delivered amount is about 10 tons.
What is the weight of a yard of crusher run?
A cubic yard weighs about 3,000 lb, or 1.5 tons, with slightly more weight after rain. The fines fill spaces between the stone, making it heavier than clean gravel.
How are crusher run and gravel different?
Unlike screened-clean gravel such as #57, crusher run retains stone dust. That dust creates a hard-compacting base, while clean stone remains loose and drains for surface and drainage use. In a driveway, install them in that sequence.
Does crush and run mean crusher run?
These are regional terms for one material family: Pit Run, bank run, pit gravel, and 2 inch minus. Each name refers to the same blend.
Can crusher run remain as the top surface?
Yes, for rural and low-traffic drives. It compacts into a firm surface that handles weather, though dry periods cause dust and regrading is needed every few years. Adding 2 inches of #57 later addresses both.
How much does crusher run shrink during compaction?
Compaction typically runs ten to fifteen percent: a 4-inch loose layer finishes at about 3.5 inches. This is why the calculator defaults to an allowance and specifications use compacted depth.
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