Construction Gravel vs Crushed Stone: Size, Cost, and Which to Use
Construction Gravel runs about $15 per ton and Crushed Stone about $20 per ton. Compare size, drainage, compaction, and which one to use.
Overview
Construction gravel is a broad category of mixed-size stone used for general building and site work. It typically includes a combination of crushed stone sizes suitable for base preparation and structural fill.
Crushed stone is rock that a quarry blasted, crushed, and screened into a set size range. It costs $20 to $40 per ton in 2026, weighs 1.35 to 1.55 tons per cubic yard, and is the base under nearly every road, driveway, slab, and patio in the country. The important difference from "gravel" in the natural sense is shape: crushed stone is angular, so the pieces lock together, while natural river gravel is rounded and rolls. Almost everything sold as gravel at a quarry is crushed stone.
Common Uses
Construction Gravel
- ✓ Construction sites
- ✓ Base layers
- ✓ Backfill
- ✓ Temporary roads
Crushed Stone
- ✓ Driveways
- ✓ Road base
- ✓ Concrete mix
- ✓ Drainage
- ✓ Paver base
- ✓ Backfill
Pros & Cons
Construction Gravel
- + Versatile material
- + Readily available
- + Cost-effective
- + Suitable for many applications
- − Inconsistent sizing
- − Not decorative
- − Varies by supplier
Crushed Stone
- + Angular pieces interlock and carry weight
- + Cheapest bulk material at $20 to $40 per ton
- + A size for every job, from dust to 4-inch rock
- + Stocked at every quarry
- + Drains (clean) or packs (minus), your choice
- − Sharp edges, hard on bare feet and tires in big sizes
- − Plain gray look
- − Easy to order the wrong size
- − Larger sizes are hard to spread by hand
Cost Comparison
| Measure | Construction Gravel | Crushed Stone |
|---|---|---|
| Per ton | $15 – $35 | $20 – $40 |
| Per cubic yard | $20 – $50 | $25 – $55 |
Sizes & Colors
Construction Gravel
Mixed crushed stone sizes ranging from fines to 1" or larger. Color varies by quarry source.
Crushed Stone
Crushed stone is sold by sieve size, from stone dust and #10 screenings (under 1/4 inch) through #8 (3/8 to 1/2 inch), #57 (3/4 to 1 inch), #4 (1 to 1.5 inches), #3 (1.5 to 2.5 inches), and #1 or #2 (2.5 to 4 inches). Every size is angular with fractured faces. Color follows the quarry: gray or blue-gray limestone, gray to pink granite, dark basalt, or tan sandstone and limestone in the South.
Published February 11, 2026
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