How much does paver base cost?

Delivered in Florida, road base starts from $40.60/ton on a full truck (about 21 tons). For a small load, 2 tons from $426.80 delivered (road base). Delivery is included, with no separate fee; the minimum order is 1 ton, and smaller loads cost more per ton. Calculate above, then enter your ZIP for your exact quote.

How thick should paver base be?

4 inches compacted under a patio or walkway. 6 inches under driveway pavers. Add 2 more inches if the subgrade is sandy or organic.

Crushed concrete vs limerock for paver base?

Both compact well. Crushed concrete is cheaper and recycled, limerock is virgin material. Either works under residential pavers.

Do I need sand under pavers?

Yes — 1 inch of concrete sand screeded over the compacted base is the setting bed for pavers.

What goes between paver joints?

Polymeric sand or fine joint sand swept into the gaps after the pavers are laid. Different product from the bedding sand.

Can I lay pavers directly on dirt?

Not if you want them to stay put. The base layer is what carries the load and prevents settling. Skip it and the pavers shift, sink, and pop.

How many tons fit in a dump truck?

A full load is about 21 tons of stone or sand. Bigger orders go out in more than one load, and the calculator shows the truck count with your result. Delivery is in the price, so a full load is the cheapest per ton.

Do I need to be home for delivery?

Best if someone is there to show the driver the spot. Not required: ask for a photo of the drop. Dumped from the street or driveway. A backyard works if the entrance is wide enough. Off the public road, you take responsibility for any damage. It comes in one pile and isn’t spread. Delivery in 2–3 business days, on a weekday you choose.

Paver base calculator · tons

Paver Base Calculator

How much base for your pavers? Measure the patio or walkway and get the tons of compacted base.

1 · Material

2 · Two quick choices: depth, then size

2a · Pick a depth

2b · Then measure your areas

Length × width in feet. Add as many areas as you need; we add them up.

LengthftWidthft

Recommended order

5 tons

of Road Base (2"-fines)

≈ 3.2 yd³ · covers 192 sq ft at 4″ · 1 dump truck

192 sq ft × 4 in ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 2.37 yd³ × 1.55 t/yd³ = 3.7 tons. Plus 25% for compaction and spreading, rounded up to a whole ton.

3 · Get your delivered quote

One ton of road base

≈ 0.65 yd³ (17 cu ft)
covers 52 sq ft at 4″
a yd³ weighs about 3,100 lb
a full truck is about 21 tons

Convert tons ↔ cubic yards →

About this material: Road Base (2"-fines) →

How much does a ton of paver base cover?

Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × the material’s density. The calculator then adds the buffer for compaction and spreading and rounds up. Tons use our catalog densities: road base 1.55 t/yd³; crushed concrete paver base 1.3 t/yd³; stone dust 1.35 t/yd³.

Swipe the table sideways →

Material	Depth	Used for	Coverage	Per 100 sq ft
Road Base (2"-fines)	4″	Patios and walkways, compacted. (typical)	52 sq ft per ton	1.91 tons
Road Base (2"-fines)	6″	Paver driveways.	35 sq ft per ton	2.87 tons
Road Base (2"-fines)	8″	Soft or wet ground.	26 sq ft per ton	3.83 tons
Crushed Concrete Paver Base	2″	Walkways on firm soil.	125 sq ft per ton	0.8 tons
Crushed Concrete Paver Base	4″	Most patios and walkways, compacted. (typical)	62 sq ft per ton	1.6 tons
Crushed Concrete Paver Base	6″	Paver driveways.	42 sq ft per ton	2.41 tons
Stone Dust (Screenings)	1″	Setting bed under pavers.	240 sq ft per ton	0.42 tons
Stone Dust (Screenings)	2″	Paths and patio bases. (typical)	120 sq ft per ton	0.83 tons
Stone Dust (Screenings)	4″	Shed pads.	60 sq ft per ton	1.67 tons

Before the buffer. Updated November 2026

How much paver base for common projects

Swipe the table sideways →

Project	Depth	Area	Estimate
Paver patio 200 sq ft	4″	200 sq ft	~4 tons base + 1.5 tons sand
Walkway 4 ft × 30 ft	4″	120 sq ft	~2.5 tons base
Driveway pavers 600 sq ft	6″	600 sq ft	~18 tons base
Pool deck 400 sq ft	4″	400 sq ft	~8 tons base
Front entry 80 sq ft	4″	80 sq ft	~1.5 tons base

Before the buffer. Measure your own areas above for an order quantity.

Which paver base: limerock, crushed concrete or stone dust?

Delivered by dump truck. “From” prices are per ton on a full truck, delivery included; the second line is the smallest load.

Road Base (2"-fines) →Limerock base that compacts hard under driveways and pads.From $40.60/ton on a full truck2 tons from $426.80 delivered

Recycled crushed concrete paver base spread on the ground

Crushed Concrete Paver Base →Recycled crushed concrete that compacts under pavers.From $31.70/ton on a full truck2 tons from $406.20 delivered

Stone Dust (Screenings) →Fine screenings for paver beds and firm paths.From $38.06/ton on a full truck2 tons from $420.92 delivered

Paver base mistakes to avoid

Base too thin

A 1–2 inch base under pavers fails. Patios need 4 inches compacted. Driveways need 6 inches.

Skipping compaction lifts

A single 6-inch dump never compacts properly. Place and compact in 2-inch lifts.

Wrong setting bed

Use concrete sand at 1 inch screeded depth for the setting bed — see the sand calculator.

Base flush with grade

A flush install lets water sit on the pavers. Slope 1/4 inch per foot for drainage.

No edge restraint

Pavers spread without edge restraints. Plastic or steel edging, or a concrete toe — pick one before the first paver goes down.