How much does crushed stone or gravel cost?
How much does crushed stone or gravel cost?
$10 – $50 cost per ton
$15 – $75 cost per yard
$1 – $3 cost per square foot
Gravel prices
Gravel prices average $10 to $50 per ton, $15 to $75 per cubic yard, $1 to $3 per square foot, or $1,350 per truck load depending on the rock type and travel distance. Gravel spreading costs $12 per yard or $46 per hour.
A 4'×20' gravel walkway costs $250 installed.
A 10'×20' gravel patio or landscaping costs $450 installed.
A gravel driveway costs $600 to $1,800 to install.
Delivery is included up to 10 miles.
| Project | Cubic Yards | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Walkway or Flower Bed (4×20) | 2.0 | $100 – $300 |
| Gravel Patio or Landscaping (10×20) | 7.4 | $250 – $700 |
| 1-Car Gravel Driveway (12×25) | 11.1 | $300 – $900 |
| 2-Car Gravel Driveway (24×24) | 21.3 | $600 – $1,800 |
| Gravel Road (12×100) | 29.6 | $600 – $1,200 |
Gravel serves as road base, ground cover, or landscaping material.
One cubic foot equals 3.7 cubic yards of crushed stone, or 100 square feet of coverage 12" deep.
Most gravel jobs use a 3-man crew plus a tractor at $45 hourly and spread 12 cubic yards (324 square feet) per hour.
Gravel cost calculator
Gravel costs $55 to $65 per cubic yard for the rocks, delivery, and spreading on average. Workers charge $40 to $50 per hour for labor alone. An average project takes 2 hours with 2 workers.
Enter the dimensions of your project in our gravel cost calculator below. The calculator shows the number of cubic yards required and the estimated total gravel cost, excluding installation.
| Amount | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Per Bag | $2 – $8 |
| Per Ton | $10 – $50 |
| Per Yard | $15 – $75 |
| Per Square Foot (12" Depth) | $1 – $3 |
Gravel prices per ton
Bulk crushed stone and gravel prices are $10 to $50 per ton on average. One cubic yard contains 1.4 to 1.5 tons of stone.
Road base costs $18 to $30 per ton.
Plain pea gravel or limestone costs $28 to $45 per ton.
Buying gravel in small quantities costs more than $100 per ton.
Gravel cost per yard
Bulk gravel costs $15 to $75 per cubic yard on average. Crushed concrete, sand and gravel mix, and crushed shells are the cheapest stones.
Crushed gravel mix costs $10 to $20 per cubic yard.
Crusher run, pea gravel, steel slag, and river rock cost $50 per cubic yard minimum.
| National Average Cost | $60 |
| Minimum Cost | $10 |
| Maximum Cost | $200 |
| Average Range | $15 to $75 |
Gravel cost per square foot
Gravel costs $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot on average with coverage 12" deep (a cubic foot), depending on the type.
Base gravel, crusher run, slate, shale, and crushed concrete cost $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot.
Colored and decorative gravel cost $2 to $4 per square foot.
Gravel delivery cost
Gravel delivery costs $10 to $25 per ton or is free with a 5-ton minimum order up to 5 miles. Add $10 per mile for every extra mile. Rent a dump truck or pick-up for hauling crushed stone yourself for $70 to $80 per day to reduce costs.
Most deliveries don't include:
Bagged gravel
Spreading on-site
Pathway building
Driveway installation
Less than 10 cubic yards of gravel
Order at least 17.5 to 20 tons to get the cheapest delivery rates.
Truck load of gravel cost
A truck load of gravel costs $1,350+ with a 10-cubic-yard minimum. Prices include delivery and spreading in standard service areas. Rock-fill jobs cost $40 to $50 hourly with a 3-man crew plus a tractor to spread 12 cubic yards per hour.
Crushed stone & rock prices
Gravel sizes range from 0.1" to 10.0" in diameter and between 0.5" to 1.5" on average. The crushed stone and rock prices below are for gravel sizes up to 2" with delivery. Discounts apply for orders over 15 tons.
| Rock Type | Per Foot | Per Ton | Per Yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | $1.00 – $3.19 | $28 – $45 | $29 – $86 |
| White Gravel | $2.77 – $4.80 | $52 – $184 | $75 – $129 |
| Black Gravel / Lava Rock | $3.55 – $10.56 | $76 – $85 | $96 – $140 |
| Crushed Limestone | $1.48 – $2.00 | $30 – $38 | $35 – $54 |
| Crusher Run Gravel | $0.50 – $2.00 | $24 – $34 | $51 – $54 |
| Sand & Gravel (Class 5) | $0.50 – $1.50 | $11 – $19 | $15 – $25 |
| Road Base Gravel | $1.00 – $1.50 | $18 – $30 | $25 – $33 |
| Crushed Concrete | $0.59 – $2.79 | $11 – $53 | $16 – $75 |
| SB2 Sub-base Gravel | $1.41 – $2.30 | $27 – $31 | $38 – $62 |
| Crushed & Recycled Asphalt | $0.52 – $1.85 | $10 – $27 | $25 – $50 |
| Aggregate & Drainage Rock | $1.00 – $3.00 | $25 – $50 | $30 – $70 |
| Stone Dust or Screenings | $1.00 – $5.00 | $30 – $145 | $10 – $25 |
| Caliche or Arizona Gravel | $1.17 – $6.62 | $45 – $253 | $31 – $178 |
| Crushed or Decomposed Granite | $1.00 – $3.00 | $25 – $50 | $38 – $75 |
| Crushed Marble | $0.80 – $1.50 | $27 – $64 | $35 – $80 |
| Quartz Gravel | $3.00 – $10.00 | $69 – $95 | $100 – $150 |
| Steel Slag Rock Gravel | $1.33 – $2.00 | $25 – $39 | $35 – $54 |
| Blue Stone Gravel | $2.74 – $5.74 | $52 – $109 | $74 – $155 |
| River Rock | $1.74 – $2.59 | $33 – $49 | $47 – $70 |
| Crushed Shells Gravel | $0.53 – $4.44 | $10 – $86 | $14 – $120 |
| Pebble Mix | $1.25 – $2.00 | $80 – $100 | $60 – $90 |
| Shale | $1.00 – $3.00 | $20 – $60 | $28 – $85 |
| Slate Chips | $0.61 – $1.26 | $27 – $64 | $35 – $80 |
Gravel
Gravel costs $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot, $40 per cubic yard, or $30 per ton on average. Gravel is easy to maintain and install, doesn't crack, and works for landscaping or driveways.
White or black colored gravel costs $120+ per ton or $3 to $10 per cubic foot when ordered in small quantities. Types include ballast lime-rock and white limestone.
Gravel moves around in rainy conditions and can sink with poor installation.
Road base gravel cost
Road base gravel costs $18 to $31 per ton, $25 to $62 per cubic yard, or $0.59 to $1.50 per square foot. Road base is also called "rock base," "road rock," "road gravel," "asphalt base (AB)," "aggregate base," and 3/4″ minus.
Road base benefits include:
Prevents dirt from mixing with the top layer of gravel
Stops mud beds from forming in driveways
Durable mixture of crushed stones that interlock well together when compacted
Crush and run prices
Crush and run gravel costs $24 to $34 per ton, about $50 per cubic yard, or $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot. This mixture combines limestone, trap rock, granite, crushed rock, sand, and stone dust. Other names for it are "crusher run," "quarry process," "#411 gravel," "road stone," or "dense-grade aggregate."
Crushed limestone cost
Crushed limestone costs $30 to $38 per ton, $1.59 to $2.00 per square foot, or $35 and $54 per cubic yard. For smaller amounts, expect to spend $3 to $5 per bag or $125 per ton. Crushed limestone prices mainly depend on the quantity.
Limestone is most readily available in light to pale-grey shades, and sometimes in dark-grey colors. The cheapest crushed limestone is size #411, or quarry process that includes rocks from 0.75" to fine dust.
Sand and gravel prices
Class 5 gravel, or sand and gravel mix, costs $11 to $19 per ton or $15 to $25 per cubic yard. Crushed class 5 gravel mix has a max rock size of 1". This mix contains a dust binder for erosion-proof construction.
Crushed concrete prices
Crushed concrete costs $11 to $53 per ton, $16 to $75 per cubic yard, and $1 to $3 per cubic foot. Leftover concrete and broken asphalt get crushed and recycled for a cheaper and more eco-friendly gravel driveway. Recycled concrete aggregates last as long as natural stones.
Crushed & recycled asphalt cost
Crushed and recycled asphalt millings cost $25 to $50 per cubic yard, $10 to $27 per ton, or $0.50 to $2 per square foot without delivery. With delivery in smaller quantities, crushed asphalt costs $72+ per ton or up to $100 per cubic yard. Lower prices are available when you order at least 17.5 tons.
Pea gravel cost
Pea gravel costs $28 per ton when ordering at least 24 tons or $45 per ton in smaller quantities. Bulk rates are $29 to $40 per cubic yard with self-pickup from a local quarry or $1 to $3 per cubic foot.
Pea gravel is generally 3/8" in size and naturally smooth. Pea gravel isn't ideal for hot or arid climates because it retains more heat than other gravels.
Stone dust or screenings cost
Stone dust costs $30 to $145 per ton or $10 to $25 per cubic yard, depending on if it's delivered or picked up. Stone dust serves as a base material below patios and pavers, a final base for horse barns, or for filling spaces between pavers.
Caliche rock cost
Caliche rock costs $45 to $100 per ton and $30 to $80 per cubic yard. A Caliche driveway costs $1.17 to $6.62 per square foot. Caliche can mean higher-quality limestone and calcite rock, like decorative Arizona gravel.
Crushed granite prices
Decomposed or crushed granite costs $1 to $3 per square foot. For bulk crushed granite, prices are $25 to $50 per ton or $38 and $75 per cubic yard.
SB2 gravel prices
Sub-base SB2 gravel in sizes 1" to 4" costs $35 to $40 per cubic yard, $1.35 to $1.45 per cubic foot, or $25 to $30 per ton.
SB2 gravel in sizes 3" to 4" costs $60 to $65 per cubic yard, $2.20 to $2.35 per cubic foot, or $30 to $33 per ton with orders of 17.5 tons or more. SB2 is also called #3 Stone.
SB2 crushed grey granite rock is heavier, harder, and forms less dust than limestone.
Colors range from copper red, light pink, grey, off-white, or nearly black.
River rock cost
River rock costs $50 to $160 per cubic yard or $45 to $130 per ton depending on the size and if it's multi-colored. A 2" to 4" thick river rock layer costs $0.60 to $1.20 per square foot. River rocks are polished enough for bare feet to walk on and excellent for backyard landscaping.
Steel slag rock cost
Steel slag costs $25 to $39 per ton or $35 to $54 per cubic yard, depending on the quantity ordered and stone size. Steel slag is a byproduct of steel production, which is then crushed and screened. Steel slag is best used in drier climates.
Crushed marble chips
Crushed marble chips cost $125 to $135 per cubic yard, $90 to $95 per ton, or $4.75 to $4.85 per cubic foot. White-marble gravel increases property value and is attractive for gravel driveways or landscaping. Marble stays cool during the summer, although it does produce a glare.
Crushed shells
Crushed shells cost $1 to $3 per square foot, $35 to $45 per cubic yard, or $45 to $55 per ton. Prices depend on the type of shells and location.
Crushed clam shells cost $9 to $12 per ton, $10 to $15 per cubic yard, or $0.50 to $0.55 per cubic foot. These prices only apply for 1" size washed white seashells in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
Paving with seashells is better for the surrounding soil, deters weeds and pests, and is eco-friendly.
Shale gravel cost
Shale gravel costs $28 to $85 per cubic yard, $20 to $60 per ton, or $1 to $3 per cubic foot depending on the rock size. Cheaper shale is untreated rock. The more-expensive shale gravel is “expanded shale,” kiln-heated to make it porous for better drainage.
Expanded shale is best for clay-based soils, especially in areas prone to flash flooding.
Crushed shale is mostly fossilized clay, which is strong but not quite as durable as granite or limestone.
Blue stone gravel
Crushed blue stone gravel rock costs $50 to $55 per ton or $70 to $75 per cubic yard when picked up from a local quarry.
Larger sizes of decorative-quality blue stone gravel cost up to $155 per cubic yard or $109 per ton when purchasing at least 5/8 of a cubic yard from a quarry.
Blue stone is limestone or sandstone that suits the bottom layer of garden ponds and benefits the soil.
Gravel installation cost estimator
Below are average cost estimates for gravel installation.
How much does spreading gravel cost?
Spreading gravel costs $10 to $25 per cubic yard or $40 to $50 hourly depending on the job size, rock type, and crew efficiency. Smaller landscape projects spread 2 to 4 yards by hand for $20 to $25 per cubic yard.
Cost to install landscaping gravel
Installing colored gravel or landscaping rock costs $50 to $90 per ton or $1 to $4 per square foot. A complete landscaping installation costs $3,000 to $16,000 depending on your yard size and choice of materials.
Use gravel mulch for xeriscaping to create long-lasting pathways around your plants and trees.
In damp climates, gravel also prevents fungi growth in your soil since it doesn’t trap in moisture like bark mulch.
Avoid using gravel as mulch around plants that thrive in highly acidic soil. The high mineral content of the rocks will make your soil more alkaline over time.
Gravel driveway
Installing a gravel driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot depending on the type of gravel and installation quality.
A 12'x25' single-car gravel driveway costs $300 to $900 to install 4" to 8" deep.
A double-car gravel drive costs $600 to $1,800.
Adding a 12' wide road a quarter-mile long costs $15,000 to $60,000.
A gravel driveway addition of 5' x 20' costs $750 to $800 for materials only.
Residential gravel road
Installing a 12' residential gravel road costs $5 to $10 per linear foot depending on the size and depth, local weather conditions, and permit costs. For large rural properties, a gravel road costs $21,000 to $65,000 per mile to install.
Gravel walkways & paths
Gravel walkways or paths 4" deep cost $10 per linear foot with pea gravel, a crusher-run gravel base layer, landscape fabric beneath to block weeds, and edging. These estimates assume an average path width of 3 to 4 feet.
DIY materials to create your own gravel path cost $100 to $1,000 and can be installed in an afternoon.
You may not want a gravel walkway if:
You'll have to shovel it often in snowy weather. You'll likely end up shoveling away some of the stones as well as the snow.
Anyone in your household will be using a cane or walker.
You prefer to walk barefoot outside.
Gravel patio
Building a 10'x20' gravel patio costs $200 to $500 for the wooden patio border wall with rebar, geotextile fabric below, and the gravel. Installing a gravel patio is an easy DIY project and cheaper than poured-concrete or brick patios.
A backyard patio that’s only for people needs a gravel layer 4" thick.
Crushed limestone rocks remain stable, so they don’t need an additional base layer of crushed stone to keep them level.
Smooth rocks like river rock shift slightly underfoot. Spread out a 2" layer of base rock first for stabilization.
Gravel play areas
You can build a pea gravel play area for kids for $100 to $200. A gravel activity box only needs around one cubic yard of loose pea gravel. For toddlers and young children, 4" of gravel is sufficient for digging and playing.
Gravel garage floor
Gravel for a 20'x20' garage floor costs $200 to $800, or $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot.
Total costs are $400 to $2,000 depending on labor and the type of drainage system installed.
A standard concrete slab costs $3,000 to $6,000 depending on the type of sub-soil and the gravel base used.
Gravel for crawl space
Lining a crawl space with gravel costs $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot. However, gravel can cause water damage to footers and the foundation. Keep gravel in drainage trenches only. Gravel isn't a replacement for a moisture barrier on a crawl space floor.
Crushed stone & gravel sizes
Crushed stone and gravel comes in a variety of sizes ranging from dust screenings, all the way up to 10 inches in diameter.
| Sizes |
|---|
| Dust Screenings |
| ¼" |
| ⅜" |
| ½" |
| ¾" |
| 1" |
| 2" |
| 3.5" |
| 4" |
| 10" |
Gravel prices FAQs
Where to buy gravel?
Gravel is available to buy from:
Home improvement stores
Rock quarries
Landscaping centers
Crushed stone suppliers
Online stone outlets
Local landscapers
How much gravel do I need?
Calculate the total volume of gravel you’ll need based on the project size. Multiply the length (in feet) by the width and then the depth to calculate cubic feet. Then divide that number by 27 to calculate cubic yards.
Length × Width × Depth = Cubic Feet
Cubic Feet ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards
Cubic Yards × 1.4 = Tons
| Project Size | Cubic Feet | Cubic Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 4' x 20' Walkway or Flower Bed | 80 | 2.0 |
| 10' x 20' Patio or Landscaping | 200 | 7.4 |
| 12' x 25' Single-car Driveway | 300 | 11.1 |
| 24' x 24' Double-car Driveway | 576 | 21.3 |
| 12' x 100' Gravel Road | 800 | 29.6 |
*The table above assumes several layers of different-sized rocks at a total of 12-inches of depth. The overall depth required depends on the soil's condition.
How much does a ton of gravel cover?
A ton of pea gravel covers an area of 40 to 50 square feet at a depth of 4".
Spreading out 1 ton of gravel 2" deep covers 80 to 100 square feet.
A layer 6" deep covers 25 to 35 square feet or less if you use larger stones.
| Depth | Square Feet Covered |
|---|---|
| 2" | 80 – 100 |
| 4" | 40 – 50 |
| 6" | 25 – 35 |
| 12" | 12 – 18 |
How much does a bag of gravel cost?
A plain bag of pea gravel or crushed stone costs $2 to $6 per bag and covers 2 cubic feet or less. Decorative or colored gravel costs $6 to $8 per bag.
| Type | Cost Per Bag |
|---|---|
| Plain Pea Gravel | $2 – $6 |
| Decorative or Colored Gravel | $6 – $8 |
How many tons of gravel in a dump truck?
A 10-wheel dump truck carries 12 to 20 tons of gravel or around 8 to 10 yards depending on the rock size and type.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Smaller landscape and walkway gravel projects are DIY-friendly within 1 day. Consider hiring professional gravel companies for jobs like a gravel driveway with multiple layers and drainage.