#8 Gravel vs Crushed Stone

#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.

Crushed Stone

Angular, mechanically crushed rock available in various sizes. Excellent for compaction and stability. Crushed stone is the workhorse of the aggregate industry, used in everything from road construction to residential driveways.

#8 Gravel

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

Crushed Stone

• ✓ Driveways
• ✓ Road base
• ✓ Foundations
• ✓ Retaining wall backfill
• ✓ French drains
• ✓ Concrete aggregate

#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

Crushed Stone

• + Compacts firmly for stable surfaces
• + Excellent load-bearing capacity
• + Interlocking shape prevents shifting
• + Widely available and affordable
• + Multiple size options

• − Angular edges are uncomfortable underfoot
• − Dusty when dry
• − Not as decorative as rounded gravel
• − Can be sharp on bare feet
• − May need periodic top-dressing

#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.

Crushed Stone

Crushed stone is available in sizes from stone dust (fine) up to 4 inches. Common grades include #8 (3/8"), #57 (3/4"–1"), #3 (1"–2"), and #1 (2"–4"). Colors depend on the source rock — typically gray, blue-gray, or tan.