Road base calculator for Vermont

At 6 inches compacted, a 100-foot lane measuring 10 feet across takes about 31 tons of road base. Material needs rise quickly on long lanes, making free delivery especially relevant when moving 30 tons can cost nearly as much as the aggregate. Road base combines crushed stone with fines in graded sizes, at about 3,000 lb per cubic yard, creating a compacted layer for equipment yards, roads, and driveways. Use the same calculation for recycled crushed concrete base when the specification permits it.

Lane calculations

1. Measure a lane along its centerline, then use its average width. For pads, multiply the length by the width.
2. For compacted base, use 4 inches on lightly used residential ground, 6 for regular traffic and delivery trucks, and 8-12 for soft subgrades or equipment.
3. Divide cubic feet by 27 to find yards, then x 1.5 for tons and add 10% for compaction.

Coverage and lane estimates

Building a lane for another winter

• Clear away organic material before placing base. If stone goes over topsoil, mud will pump through it regardless of the depth placed.
• Put woven geotextile down first where the subgrade is wet or soft. It provides added support under a lane.
• Install material in layers no more than 4 inches deep, rolling each one before adding the next.
• Build a 2-3% crown from the centerline toward both edges. This lets rain run off rather than soak into the base.
• Use #57 or driveway gravel on top when you want a neat surface with less dust.
• Hand-spreading 20-plus tons can take a week. A tractor box blade or skid steer can handle the work in an afternoon, so include machine use in the budget.

Worked example: a 100-foot farm lane

At 6 inches, one hundred by ten feet works out to 1,000 x 0.5 = 500 cubic feet = 18.5 cubic yards, or about 28 tons. With the allowance included, order 30-31. Expect two tandem loads, so set up two drop points along the run instead of leaving one large pile at the gate. Separate piles can save uphill material handling on farm lanes.

Pads for equipment, containers, and RVs

Use the lane calculation for pads, but choose depth for axle load rather than the calendar. A 12 x 40 RV pad at 6 inches compacted needs about 12 tons. At 8 inches, a 20 x 40 equipment yard takes 27. Shipping containers place weight on four corners, so use a full 8 inches plus fabric for container pads, even on decent ground, to limit spring corner settlement.

Crushed concrete for road base

Recycled concrete base can compact and support loads much like virgin road base, often at a lower cost. Review county specifications before making the switch, since some call for virgin aggregate. It is a practical option for private pads and lanes. Use the same calculation: 1.5 tons per yard, the same lifts, and the same crown.

Road base by ton or lane

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