Bluestone: Size, Uses, and Cost Per Ton (2026)
Also called: Pennsylvania Bluestone
Bluestone at a Glance
| Size | Available as gravel, chips, or slabs. |
|---|---|
| Weight per cubic yard | 3,100 to 3,500 lbs (1.55 to 1.75 tons) |
| Cubic yards per ton | 0.57 to 0.65 |
| Cost per ton | $80 to $150 per ton |
| Cost per cubic yard | $100 to $180 per cubic yard |
| 10-ton truckload | $800 to $1,500 before delivery |
| Compaction | Minimal (5%). Stays loose, needs edging. |
| Drainage | Excellent. Open voids between stones, water passes straight through. |
| Best for | Decorative hardscapes, High-end landscaping, Walkable surfaces |
| Wrong for | Low-budget projects, Large-area fill |
What Is Bluestone?
Bluestone is a dense, fine-grained natural stone commonly used in the northeastern United States. It is valued for its durability, rich blue-gray color, and clean, angular appearance.
Project guide: Gravel Patio Guide: How Much You Need, Depth, and Cost per Square Foot
How Much Bluestone Do I Need?
Draw your project area on the map to get an instant material estimate for Bluestone.
Plan your gravel project
Type your address, trace the area on a satellite photo, and see how many tons to order.
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Start typing and pick your address from the list. The map jumps straight to your property.
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Enter an address in step 1. Then click around the edge of the spot you want to cover and the planner does the math.
What Bluestone Costs in 2026
Bluestone costs $80 to $150 per ton, or $100 to $180 per cubic yard. A 10-ton single-axle truckload runs $800 to $1,500 before delivery. An 18-ton tandem load runs $1,440 to $2,700. Delivery adds $50 to $150 within 10 to 15 miles of the supplier.
| Quantity | Material cost |
|---|---|
| 1 ton | $80 to $150 |
| 1 cubic yard | $100 to $180 |
| 10-ton single-axle load | $800 to $1,500 |
| 18-ton tandem load | $1,440 to $2,700 |
| 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep | $136 to $285 |
Very heavy material. Transport costs can be significant outside the Northeast.
Prices vary by region and order size. See the gravel cost per ton guide and the delivery cost guide.
How Much Bluestone for Common Projects
Tons include 5% compaction and a 10% waste allowance. Formula: cubic yards = square feet x depth in inches / 324.
| Project | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons to order | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 20 ft patio (200 sq ft) | 2 in | 1.2 | 2.2 to 2.5 | $176 to $375 |
| 12 x 40 ft driveway (480 sq ft) | 4 in | 5.9 | 10.6 to 12.0 | $848 to $1,800 |
| 3 x 50 ft walkway (150 sq ft) | 3 in | 1.4 | 2.5 to 2.8 | $200 to $420 |
Different size? Use the gravel calculator or convert with the tons to yards calculator.
Where Bluestone Works and Where It Fails
Best uses
- ✓ Decorative hardscapes
- ✓ High-end landscaping
- ✓ Walkable surfaces
Wrong uses
- ✗ Low-budget projects
- ✗ Large-area fill
Common Uses
- ✓ Walkways
- ✓ Patios
- ✓ Landscaping
- ✓ Driveway borders
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Highly durable | − Expensive |
| + Attractive natural color | − Heavy |
| + Resists weathering | − Regional availability |
| + Slip-resistant texture |
Bluestone Sizes and Colors
Available as gravel, chips, or slabs. Colors range from blue-gray to steel blue.
Compare Bluestone With Other Materials
Side-by-side size, cost, drainage, and best-use comparisons.
- Bluestone vs Pea Gravel
- Bluestone vs Crushed Stone
- Bluestone vs Crushed Limestone
- Bluestone vs River Rock
- Bluestone vs Decomposed Granite
- #57 Gravel vs Bluestone
- #8 Gravel vs Bluestone
- Bluestone vs Crusher Run
- #89 Stone vs Bluestone
- Bluestone vs Fill Dirt
- Bluestone vs Topsoil
- Bluestone vs Brown Shredded Mulch
- Black Shredded Mulch vs Bluestone
- Bluestone vs Rip Rap
- Bluestone vs Compost
- Bluestone vs Washed Gravel
- Bank Run Gravel vs Bluestone
- Bluestone vs Marble Chips
- Bluestone vs Lava Rock
- Bluestone vs Stone Dust
- #411 Gravel vs Bluestone
- Bluestone vs Construction Gravel
- Bluestone vs Recycled Asphalt
- Bluestone vs Jersey Shore Gravel
- Bluestone vs Mexican Beach Pebble
- #4 Stone vs Bluestone
Project Guides That Use Bluestone
Gravel Patio Guide: How Much You Need, Depth, and Cost per Square Foot
A gravel patio needs 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel, decomposed granite, or #89 stone over a compacted base. A 10 x 20 ft patio takes about ...
Gravel Walkway Guide: 2 Inches Deep, 1 Ton per 100 Sq Ft, $3 to $6 per Foot
A gravel walkway needs 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel, decomposed granite, or #89 stone inside rigid edging. A 3-foot-wide path uses about 1...
Landscaping With Gravel: How Much to Order, Depth by Use, and Cost
Landscape gravel goes down 2 to 3 inches over fabric in beds, borders, and dry creek beds. One ton covers about 100 square feet at 2 inch...
Bluestone by City
Suppliers stock Bluestone in these cities:
Find Bluestone Near You
9821 E OH-37, Sunbury, Ohio
515 Windmill Dr, Fallon, Nevada
520 South Byrkit Avenue, Mishawaka, Indiana
Philippi, West Virginia
1205 W Russell St, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
22 McBride Rd, Slate Hill, New York