You've heard recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is the cheap, durable choice for a driveway. Good - it is. But "cheap" doesn't tell you what to actually budget. Is it $500? $2,000? $5,000? The honest answer is "it depends," but the variables aren't complicated once you know what they are.

This is a real cost breakdown for an RCA driveway in East Tennessee - every line item, with real numbers from a working yard in Maryville.

Quick Ballpark Numbers

For a typical residential RCA driveway in Blount or Knox County, you're looking at:

Small driveway (10' x 50', single car): $400 - $900 total
Medium driveway (12' x 80', longer single car): $700 - $1,600 total
Large rural driveway (200'+ long): $2,000 - $6,000+ depending on length and prep

Those numbers include material and delivery. They do not include excavation or contractor install labor if you're hiring it done - more on that below.

What Determines the Cost

Five things move the number up or down. In rough order of impact:

Total square footage - How long and wide the driveway is
Depth of material - Are you laying 3 inches or 8 inches?
Whether you need a base layer - Existing dirt driveways get away with less than fresh excavation
Delivery distance - We're in Maryville. The farther we drive, the higher the delivery line
DIY vs. contractor install - Equipment rental and labor add up fast

Let's walk through each.

Step 1: Calculate Your Tons

RCA is sold by the ton. To estimate how many tons you need, multiply length x width x depth (in feet), then divide by 21. That gives you cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by 1.4 to get tons.

Or just use our aggregate calculator - type in your dimensions and it spits out a number. Way easier.

Quick reference (at 4" depth):

| Driveway Size | Square Feet | Approx. Tons | |---|---|---| | 10 x 50 | 500 | ~6.5 tons | | 12 x 60 | 720 | ~9.5 tons | | 12 x 100 | 1,200 | ~16 tons | | 12 x 200 | 2,400 | ~32 tons |

For a brand-new driveway over fresh dirt, plan on 6 to 8 inches of total depth (base layer plus surface layer). For a top-up on an existing driveway, 2 to 4 inches is usually enough.

Step 2: Material Cost

RCA from SMSG is priced well below virgin crushed stone. Check our pricing page for current per-ton rates and our materials page for the different grades we stock.

The grade matters a little:

Crusher run / RCA dense-graded: Best for driveways. Mix of sizes from dust up to about 1.5". Compacts hard, drains well. This is what most people want.
#57 RCA: Larger stone, no fines. Better as a base layer or for drainage. Doesn't compact as tight on the surface.
#411 RCA: Smaller dense-graded blend, good for top dressing.

If you're not sure, ask us. The wrong grade can cost you in performance even if it saves you a few bucks per ton.

For a deeper look at the difference, read our aggregate sizes guide.

Step 3: Delivery Cost

We deliver throughout Blount County, Knox County, and surrounding areas. Delivery is priced based on distance and truck size:

Standard dump truck (10-12 tons capacity): Most residential deliveries fit in one or two loads
Tri-axle dump (16-22 tons): For larger driveways and bulk delivery
Tandem (smaller, ~7 tons): For tight access driveways

Delivery typically runs $80 to $200 per load within our normal service area. Farther deliveries cost more. For an exact quote, call (865) 999-0857 with your address and tonnage.

For more on truckload pricing, see our companion post on how much a dump truck of gravel costs in East Tennessee.

Step 4: Sales Tax

Don't forget tax. Blount County sales tax is 9.75%, which applies to material and delivery on residential deliveries. Build that into your budget - on a $1,000 driveway, it's nearly $100.

Step 5: Install Cost (If You're Hiring It Out)

If you're paying a contractor to install, expect roughly:

Spreading and grading only (you supply the RCA): $200 - $600 for a small driveway, more for larger
Full excavation + base + RCA install: $2,000 - $8,000+ depending on size, slope, and access
Excavation for fresh build: $50 - $150 per hour of skid-steer or mini-ex time

DIY is absolutely doable if you've got time, a rake, a tamper or rented plate compactor, and a buddy. Most homeowners can install a small driveway over a weekend.

For step-by-step DIY instructions, see our gravel driveway DIY guide.

A Real Example: 12' x 80' Driveway

Put it all together. You've got an 80-foot driveway you want to redo with 4 inches of fresh RCA on top of an existing compacted base.

Tons needed: ~12.5 tons
Material: ~$200 - $375 (varies by grade)
Delivery: ~$100 - $150
Tax (9.75%): ~$30 - $50
DIY install: Free (your weekend)
Or contractor spread/grade: $300 - $500

Total DIY: $330 - $575 Total with hired install: $630 - $1,075

That's a lot less than a comparable asphalt or concrete driveway, which would run $4,000+ for the same footprint. And RCA holds up beautifully over time - see our RCA driveway lifespan guide for what to expect over the years.

Where the Costs Sneak Up On You

A few things people forget to budget for:

Geotextile fabric - $50 to $200 for a small driveway, optional but recommended over soft ground
Edging or borders - wood, metal, or stone to keep the gravel in place: $100 to $500
Culvert pipe - if your driveway crosses a drainage area
Slope adjustments - bringing in extra material to correct grade
Multiple deliveries - if your driveway needs more than one truckload and your contractor can't store extra on site

None of these are huge, but they add up if you don't plan for them.

Why RCA Costs Less Than Virgin Stone

Two reasons. First, the raw material is basically free - it's recycled from demolition projects we accept at our yard. We're not paying a quarry for it. Second, it's local. We crush and process it right here in Maryville, so there's no long-haul trucking baked into the price.

That's why RCA is one of the only places in the building-materials world where the recycled version is cheaper and often better than the new-from-the-quarry version. Compare the two side by side in our RCA vs. gravel post.

Ready to Get a Real Quote?

Two ways to get exact numbers for your specific driveway:

DIY estimate: Use our calculator to figure out your tonnage, then check current rates on the pricing page.
Call us: (865) 999-0857, tell us your driveway dimensions and address, and we'll quote material + delivery on the spot.

We're at 245 Brookdale Rd, Maryville, open Monday-Friday 7am-5pm and Saturday 7am-12pm. Or hit our contact form and we'll get back to you.

An RCA driveway is one of the best dollar-for-dollar investments you can make on a property. Let's get yours built.

What Does an RCA Driveway Cost? Full Breakdown for East TN Homeowners