Gravel Cost Per Yard
Gravel costs $15-$75 per cubic yard. Crushed stone runs $30-$55/yd, pea gravel $30-$60/yd, and river rock $40-$75/yd. One cubic yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep and weighs 1.2-1.7 tons.
Cost per Ton
$5 – $200/ton
Cost per Yard
$8 – $240/yd³
Materials Compared
26 gravel types
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Recommended Materials
$30–$55 per cubic yard. The go-to aggregate for driveways and base layers.
$30–$60 per cubic yard. Popular for patios, walkways, and landscaping.
$35–$55 per cubic yard. Great value for large ground-cover areas.
$40–$75 per cubic yard. The most expensive common gravel by volume.
$25–$45 per cubic yard. Affordable and widely stocked at quarries.
$28–$50 per cubic yard. Good balance of price and versatility.
$25–$50 per cubic yard. Budget-friendly where locally quarried.
$25–$45 per cubic yard. Dense material — weighs more per yard than clean stone.
$28–$50 per cubic yard. Good value for walkway and patio surfaces.
$8–$25 per cubic yard. Check local classifieds for free fill dirt from construction sites.
$15–$40 per cubic yard. The standard unit of measure at landscape supply yards.
$25–$45 per cubic yard. Light material means more volume per truckload.
$30–$50 per cubic yard. Same lightweight volume advantage as brown mulch.
$45–$100 per cubic yard. Very heavy — fewer yards per truckload than standard gravel.
$20–$50 per cubic yard. Municipal compost programs often offer the best value.
$30–$60 per cubic yard. Similar density to unwashed stone but slightly pricier due to processing.
$20–$40 per cubic yard. Budget option for large-volume fill and rural driveway projects.
$75–$150 per cubic yard. Premium decorative pricing. Buy by the bag for small accent areas.
$110–$180 per cubic yard. Lightweight — a cubic yard of lava rock weighs under a ton, so it covers more area.
$20–$40 per cubic yard. Dense fine material — weighs more per yard than most gravel types.
$25–$55 per cubic yard. Similar to crusher run pricing. Popular driveway resurfacing material.
$20–$50 per cubic yard. Generic mixed aggregate — confirm composition with supplier.
$20–$45 per cubic yard. Very dense material — a cubic yard weighs nearly 2 tons.
$100–$180 per cubic yard. Premium pricing reflects the stone's quality and regional sourcing.
$75–$150 per cubic yard. Decorative multicolored river stone at mid-premium pricing.
$150–$240 per cubic yard. The highest-priced landscape gravel by volume. Used sparingly in accent areas.
Gravel Cost Per Yard Breakdown
| Material | Per Ton | Per Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed Stone | $20 – $40 | $25 – $55 |
| Pea Gravel | $25 – $50 | $30 – $60 |
| Decomposed Granite | $25 – $45 | $30 – $50 |
| River Rock | $40 – $100 | $45 – $120 |
| #57 Gravel | $20 – $35 | $25 – $45 |
| #8 Gravel | $22 – $40 | $28 – $50 |
| Crushed Limestone | $20 – $45 | $25 – $50 |
| Crusher Run | $20 – $35 | $25 – $45 |
| #89 Stone | $22 – $40 | $28 – $50 |
| Fill Dirt | $5 – $15 | $8 – $25 |
| Topsoil | $12 – $30 | $15 – $40 |
| Brown Shredded Mulch | $20 – $40 | $25 – $45 |
| Black Shredded Mulch | $25 – $45 | $30 – $50 |
| Rip Rap | $35 – $80 | $45 – $100 |
| Compost | $15 – $40 | $20 – $50 |
| Washed Gravel | $25 – $45 | $30 – $60 |
| Bank Run Gravel | $15 – $30 | $20 – $40 |
| Marble Chips | $60 – $120 | $75 – $150 |
| Lava Rock | $90 – $150 | $110 – $180 |
| Stone Dust | $15 – $30 | $20 – $40 |
| #411 Gravel | $20 – $40 | $25 – $55 |
| Construction Gravel | $15 – $35 | $20 – $50 |
| Recycled Asphalt | $15 – $30 | $20 – $45 |
| Bluestone | $80 – $150 | $100 – $180 |
| Jersey Shore Gravel | $60 – $120 | $75 – $150 |
| Mexican Beach Pebble | $120 – $200 | $150 – $240 |
Prices vary by region, availability, and order size.
Gravel sold by the cubic yard typically costs $15-$75 per yard, depending on the type of material. A cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.2-1.7 tons, depending on the stone type and moisture content.
Common pricing by the cubic yard: crushed stone is $30-$55, pea gravel runs $30-$60, river rock costs $40-$75, and decomposed granite is $35-$55. Base materials like crusher run tend to be on the lower end at $20-$40 per yard.
One cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 160 square feet at 2 inches deep. For a typical 12x20-foot driveway at 3 inches deep, you'd need roughly 2.5 cubic yards.
Most landscape supply yards sell by the cubic yard for pickup orders. They load material into your truck or trailer using a front-end loader. A standard pickup truck bed holds about 1 cubic yard of gravel, though the weight may exceed your truck's payload capacity — check your owner's manual before hauling.
Published February 11, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gravel Wash Away?
Which Gravel Washes Away?
Gravel can wash away during heavy rains, but proper installation and material selection greatly reduce this risk.
Smaller, lighter gravel (like pea gravel) is more prone to washing than larger, heavier stone (like river rock or #57 gravel). Angular crushed stone interlocks and resists movement better than rounded stones.
How to Prevent Washout
To prevent gravel from washing away:
- Ensure proper grading so water flows where you want it — not across your gravel surface
- Install edging along all borders
- For driveways, create a crown (slight hump in the center) so water drains to the sides
Slopes and Drainage
On slopes, use crushed stone rather than rounded gravel, and consider installing a geogrid (honeycomb-shaped stabilizer) underneath. French drains or swales can redirect water before it reaches your gravel areas.
If erosion is recurring, the underlying issue is usually poor drainage design rather than the gravel itself. Addressing water flow patterns is more effective than simply adding more gravel.
What Size Gravel for Driveway?
A well-built gravel driveway uses three layers of progressively smaller stone:
Base Layer (4 inches)
Use #3 stone (1-2 inches) or #4 stone (1.5-3 inches). These large angular stones create a stable foundation and won't sink into soft soil. A geotextile fabric under this layer prevents the stone from migrating into the subgrade.
Middle Layer (4 inches)
#57 stone (3/4 to 1 inch) is the standard choice. It fills the gaps in the base layer, adds stability, and provides a transition to the finer top layer.
Top Layer (2-3 inches)
#8 gravel (3/8 to 1/2 inch) or crushed limestone creates a smooth driving surface. Some homeowners prefer #411 (a blend of #57 stone and stone dust) because the dust fills voids and compacts into a very firm surface.
What to Avoid
Avoid using pea gravel or river rock for driveways — their rounded shape means they never lock together and will constantly shift under tires, creating ruts.
Gravel vs Concrete: Which Is Better?
Gravel and concrete each have clear advantages depending on your priorities, budget, and project requirements.
Where Gravel Wins
A gravel driveway costs $1-$3 per square foot installed, while concrete runs $5-$10 per square foot. Gravel can be a DIY project; concrete requires professional installation. Gravel is permeable and handles drainage naturally; concrete requires slopes and drainage planning.
Where Concrete Wins
A properly installed concrete driveway lasts 25-30 years with minimal upkeep. Gravel driveways need periodic regrading, rut filling, and top-layer replenishment. Concrete provides a smooth, clean surface year-round; gravel can be dusty in summer and difficult to plow in winter.
Cold Climate Considerations
For driveways in cold climates, concrete can crack from freeze-thaw cycles and road salt damage. Gravel handles freezing and thawing without damage but is harder to snow-plow.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose gravel when budget is a priority, the driveway is long (rural properties), drainage is a concern, or you want a rustic aesthetic. Choose concrete for short suburban driveways, wheelchair accessibility, frequent snow removal, and a modern look.
Need help budgeting your project?
Get quotes from local gravel suppliers for current pricing and delivery options.