#8 Gravel vs Bluestone: Size, Cost, and Which to Use

#8 Gravel

Small crushed stone approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch in size. Good for walkways and as a top dressing for driveways. #8 gravel bridges the gap between coarse aggregates and fine pea gravel, offering a balance of comfort and stability.

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.

#8 Gravel

• ✓ Walkways
• ✓ Patios
• ✓ Between pavers
• ✓ Asphalt mix
• ✓ Top dressing
• ✓ Drainage backfill

Bluestone

• ✓ Walkways
• ✓ Patios
• ✓ Landscaping
• ✓ Driveway borders

#8 Gravel

• + Smaller size is more comfortable to walk on
• + Compacts better than larger stone
• + Good for filling gaps between pavers
• + Excellent drainage
• + Smooth driveway top-dressing

• − Can migrate without edging
• − Not as stable as larger crushed stone
• − May be tracked by shoes
• − Less commonly stocked than #57
• − Dusty when dry

Bluestone

• + Highly durable
• + Attractive natural color
• + Resists weathering
• + Slip-resistant texture

• − Expensive
• − Heavy
• − Regional availability

#8 Gravel

#8 gravel consists of angular crushed stone pieces from 3/8" to 1/2" in diameter. Like other crushed stone, color varies by source quarry — gray, blue-gray, tan, and brown are most common.

Bluestone

Available as gravel, chips, or slabs. Colors range from blue-gray to steel blue.