Instantly calculate concrete volume, cubic yards, truckloads, and total material cost for concrete gutters, curb & gutter, V-ditches, and drainage channels — AASHTO, FHWA & ASTM C94 compliant.
Select your gutter type, enter dimensions and run length for a complete concrete estimate.
Standard road curb & gutter — AASHTO Type II · 6 in depth.
Total length of gutter / channel in linear feet
Curb & gutter: 24 in · V-ditch: measured at top · Channel: inner width
Curb & gutter: 6 in · V-ditch: 6–12 in · Channel: 12–24 in
2025 USA avg: $130–$180/yd³. DOT mixes may cost more.
Matches your gutter type for accurate cross-section area calculation.
A concrete gutter is a linear drainage structure designed to collect and channel stormwater runoff away from roadways, driveways, parking lots, and developed land. In the USA, concrete gutters are the dominant choice for public roadways because they are durable, low-maintenance, and able to handle the freeze-thaw cycles, traffic loads, and high flow rates common across American climates. The most widely used type is the AASHTO Type II curb & gutter, which combines a raised curb face with an integral gutter pan in a single monolithic pour. Other common types include V-ditches for rural roadsides, trapezoidal channels for stormwater detention, and rectangular box gutters for high-capacity commercial drainage.
Enter your gutter type, cross-section dimensions (width and depth), wall/slab thickness, run length, and concrete price. The calculator determines your cross-sectional concrete area based on the selected profile shape, multiplies by run length to get cubic feet, converts to cubic yards, applies your waste factor, and calculates the number of ready-mix truckloads and total material cost. For curb & gutter, the L-shaped cross-section is used; V-ditches use a triangular profile; trapezoidal and rectangular channels use their respective geometric cross-sections.
The standard US highway curb & gutter has a 6-inch vertical curb face, 24-inch gutter pan, and 6-inch slab thickness in an L-shaped monolithic section. AASHTO Type II is specified by most US state DOTs and requires a minimum 3,500 PSI concrete mix with air entrainment in freeze-thaw regions. A 100-foot run requires approximately 1.4–1.8 cubic yards of concrete.
V-ditches are triangular concrete-lined channels used extensively along rural roadsides, agricultural land, and low-volume roads where curb & gutter is not required. They are efficient drains that self-clean at low flows. Standard V-ditches are 2–4 feet wide at the top, 6–12 inches deep, with a 4-inch concrete lining. A 200-foot residential V-ditch run typically requires 2.0–3.5 cubic yards of concrete.
Trapezoidal and rectangular concrete channels are used for larger stormwater volumes in commercial developments, highway medians, and stormwater retention systems. Rectangular box channels are sized by hydraulic engineers to pass a 10-year or 100-year storm event. Wall thickness is typically 6–8 inches with 4,000 PSI concrete and #4–#5 rebar at 12-inch centers per ACI 318 and ASCE 7 drainage criteria.
Calculating concrete volume for a gutter differs from a flat slab because the cross-sectional area varies by gutter profile. The key formula for any gutter is: Volume = Cross-Section Area × Run Length. The cross-section area depends on the shape — L-profile for curb & gutter, triangle for V-ditch, trapezoid or rectangle for channels. Always include the wall thickness in your area calculation since that is the actual concrete volume, not the empty flow area.
Most US state Department of Transportation (DOT) contracts require ready-mix concrete for curb & gutter to meet a certified mix design with minimum 3,500–4,000 PSI, maximum W/C ratio of 0.45, and mandatory air entrainment of 5–7% in freeze-thaw zones (AASHTO M 157 / ASTM C94). Residential or commercial suppliers may charge a 10–20% premium for DOT-specified mixes versus standard residential concrete. Always confirm the required mix design with your local DOT specification before ordering.
Quick-reference table for concrete volume and estimated material cost for common US gutter types. All figures use 6-inch wall/slab thickness, 8% waste factor, and $155/yd³ average 2025 USA ready-mix pricing. Costs are material only — forming, labor, and subgrade preparation are not included.
| Gutter Type / Dimensions | Run Length | Net Volume (yd³) | + 8% Waste | Truckloads (10 yd) | Est. Material Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curb & Gutter — 24 in wide · 6 in | 100 LF | 1.65 | 1.78 yd³ | 1 partial | $276 |
| Curb & Gutter — 24 in wide · 6 in | 500 LF | 8.23 | 8.89 yd³ | 1 partial | $1,378 |
| Curb & Gutter — 24 in wide · 6 in | 1,000 LF | 16.46 | 17.78 yd³ | 2 trucks | $2,756 |
| V-Ditch — 36 in wide · 9 in deep | 200 LF | 2.44 | 2.64 yd³ | 1 partial | $409 |
| V-Ditch — 48 in wide · 12 in deep | 500 LF | 8.64 | 9.33 yd³ | 1 partial | $1,446 |
| Rect. Channel — 24 in wide · 18 in deep | 300 LF | 6.00 | 6.48 yd³ | 1 partial | $1,004 |
| Trapezoidal Channel — 36 in · 18 in deep | 500 LF | 14.44 | 15.60 yd³ | 2 trucks | $2,418 |
The table below summarizes recommended concrete mix designs, rebar requirements, and applicable standards for each common US concrete gutter type. Always confirm local DOT specifications before ordering — state requirements vary. Consult FHWA Hydraulics Engineering and your state DOT standard drawings for project-specific requirements.
| Gutter Type | Min. PSI | Air Entrainment | Typical Thickness | Rebar | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curb & Gutter (AASHTO Type II) | 3,500–4,000 | 5–7% (freeze-thaw) | 6 in | #4 @ 18 in o.c. | AASHTO M157 |
| V-Ditch / V-Gutter | 3,000–3,500 | Optional | 4–5 in | WWF or #3 @ 18 in | State DOT Std. |
| Flat / Pan Gutter (Residential) | 3,000 | Recommended | 4–5 in | None / fiber reinf. | Local IBC |
| Trapezoidal Channel | 4,000 | 5–7% (cold climate) | 6–8 in | #4–#5 @ 12–18 in | ACI 318 / ASCE 7 |
| Rectangular Box Channel | 4,000–5,000 | 5–7% required | 6–8 in | #5 @ 12 in o.c. | ACI 318 / FHWA |
| Concrete Swale (Lined) | 3,000–3,500 | Optional | 4 in | WWF 6×6-W2.9×W2.9 | Local Stormwater |
Beyond raw volume calculations, a long-lasting concrete gutter requires correct joint spacing, subgrade preparation, and curing. Concrete gutters are exposed to more aggressive weathering than interior slabs because they are directly in the stormwater flow path — subject to erosion, freeze-thaw, deicing chemicals, and vehicle tire loads. Review your state DOT standard drawings and FHWA guidance before finalizing your design.
Concrete gutters crack primarily from thermal expansion and contraction. Install contraction joints every 10–15 feet along the run for curb & gutter, and every 8–12 feet for V-ditches and channel liners. Saw-cut joints to a depth of ¼ of the slab thickness within 12 hours of pour. Omitting joints is the single most common cause of premature cracking in concrete gutters in the USA.
Compact gutter subgrade to a minimum of 95% Standard Proctor Density (ASTM D698) before forming. Unstable subgrade is the #1 cause of gutter settlement and cracking. For curb & gutter in northern states, place a minimum 4-inch crushed aggregate base (AASHTO #57 stone) to provide drainage and reduce frost heave damage over the gutter's service life.
Concrete gutters have a high surface-area-to-volume ratio which causes rapid moisture loss during curing. Apply a curing compound (ASTM C309 Type 1-D) immediately after finishing, or keep the surface moist with wet burlap for a minimum of 7 days. In hot, dry, or windy conditions (common in Texas, Arizona, and the Southwest), apply evaporation retarder before finishing to prevent plastic shrinkage cracking.
Authoritative AASHTO, FHWA, ACI, and ASTM references for concrete gutter design in the USA
AASHTO M 157 is the primary standard governing ready-mixed concrete for highway construction in the USA — including curb & gutter mixes. It specifies maximum W/C ratio, air entrainment, minimum PSI, and slump requirements for all state DOT-funded concrete gutter and pavement projects.
View AASHTOFHWA's Hydraulic Engineering publications (HEC-22, HEC-14) govern the hydraulic design of roadway drainage systems including concrete gutters, drainage channels, and inlet spacing for US highway projects. Essential reference for sizing gutter cross-sections based on design storm flows.
View FHWA HydraulicsASTM C94 governs ready-mixed concrete specifications for all US gutter and drainage channel pours — including truck drum capacity, maximum discharge time (90 minutes), mix consistency, slump, and field testing. All concrete gutter contractors must comply with ASTM C94 regardless of project type.
View ASTM C94