What it is
Road base: a blend of crushed rock, gravel and fine particles, about 1.5 inch down to fines with some longer stones up to 2 inches. Sold by the cubic yard. When compacted, the pieces lock together into a firm surface that does not shift, which loose gravel cannot do.
What it is for
- Driveways and parking areas.
- Patio and paver base under flagstone, pavers or steppers.
- Paths and walkways under a finish layer like decomposed granite.
- Pads for sheds, playsets and equipment.
Road base or crushed concrete?
Both compact into a hard base. Crushed Concrete Flex Base is recycled concrete and costs less. Road base is crushed rock. Choose road base when you want a virgin stone base or a natural rock color.
How much to order
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324.
| Project | Depth | One yard covers |
|---|---|---|
| Path or patio base | 4 in | about 81 sq ft |
| Driveway base | 6 in | about 54 sq ft |
Example: a 10 × 12 ft patio base at 4 inches is 10 × 12 × 4 ÷ 324 = about 1.5 yards. The calculators do the math.
Install
- Dig out to firm subgrade and compact it.
- Lay woven fabric over clay soil.
- Spread in 2 to 3 inch lifts, wet lightly, and compact each lift.
