How Much Ice Melt for a 20 × 40 ft Driveway?

A 20 × 40 ft driveway is 800 sq ft and takes about 4 lb of ice melt for one treatment of normal snow and ice, at 5 lb per 1,000 sq ft. For a winter of 12 treatments that is 48 lb, or 2 bags of 40 lb.

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Example job shown. Change the numbers to match yours.

Ice melt for one treatment

4.0 lb

For 800 sq ft at 5 lb per 1,000 sq ft

What to buy

Bags for one treatment0.10 bags
Bags to buy2 bags

The same in 12 oz coffee mugsA mug holds about three quarters of a pound of salt: 5.3 mugs
Bags for one treatment: 0.10 bags

The whole winter

Ice melt for the winter12 treatments: 48 lb
Bags to buyOf 40 lb: 2 bags
Cost for the winterBags × the price you entered: $18.00
Area treated: 800 sq ft

Spread ice melt thinly: it needs only enough to start a brine, and extra salt just washes into the soil and the water. Clear the snow first, and spread before a storm if you can, since that stops the ice bonding to the pavement. Rock salt (sodium chloride) stops working somewhere around 15°F, and calcium chloride keeps working to about −25°F. These are typical rates for a home; where the label gives a rate, use it.

Before you buy: round up to whole packs, check the size printed on the label, and add a little spare. Your supplier has the final say.

Ice melt for a 20 × 40 ft driveway, by how bad the ice is

Pounds for one treatment of 800 sq ft at the three rates in the calculator, the same in 12 oz coffee mugs, and the share of a 40 lb bag it uses:

Rate	Ice	Ice melt	Mugs	40 lb bags
3 lb per 1,000 sq ft	A dusting or thin frost	2.4 lb	3.2	0.06
5 lb per 1,000 sq ft	Normal snow and ice, cleared first	4 lb	5.33	0.10
8 lb per 1,000 sq ft	Thick ice or packed snow	6.4 lb	8.53	0.16

Bags for the winter

At the normal rate, by how many times you treat it in a winter and the size of bag you buy. Bags are rounded up to whole bags.

Winter	Ice melt	20 lb bags	40 lb bags	50 lb bags
6 treatments	24 lb	2	1	1
12 treatments	48 lb	3	2	1
20 treatments	80 lb	4	2	2

A long two-car driveway: use a spreader

A 20 × 40 ft driveway is 800 sq ft: 4 lb a treatment at the normal rate and 6.4 lb for packed snow. Scattering that much by hand puts too much in some places and none in others, so a walk-behind or hand-held spreader pays for itself in salt saved.

In a hard winter with 20 treatments at the heavy rate it adds up to 128 lb, or 4 bags of 40 lb. Buy a few bags before the first storm, when the shelves are full, rather than all of them at once.

See how much ice melt you need for spreading tips.

Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Ice Melt Calculator: How Much Salt for a Driveway or Walk: edit any number and the results update instantly.

Tools & materials for this project

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Ice melt 50 lb bag Rock salt 50 lb Hand salt spreader Snow shovel Traction sand

Frequently asked questions

How much ice melt for a 20 × 40 ft driveway?

About 4 lb for one treatment of normal snow and ice at 5 lb per 1,000 sq ft, on 800 sq ft. Use about 2.4 lb for a thin frost and 6.4 lb for thick ice or packed snow. Where the bag gives a rate, use that.

How many bags of ice melt for a 20x40 driveway for the winter?

2 bags of 40 lb for 12 treatments at the normal rate (48 lb in all). A snowy winter of 20 treatments takes 2 bags.

Do I need a spreader for a 20 × 40 ft driveway?

It helps. 4 lb over 800 sq ft is a thin layer, and a spreader puts it down evenly where scattering by hand leaves heaps and gaps.

How much ice melt for a hard winter on a 20 × 40 ft driveway?

128 lb for 20 treatments at 8 lb per 1,000 sq ft, or 4 bags of 40 lb.

Related sizes and guides

Related sizes

Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.

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