River Rock vs Stone Dust: Size, Cost, and Which to Use
River Rock runs about $40 per ton and Stone Dust about $15 per ton. Compare size, drainage, compaction, and which one to use.
Overview
River rock is naturally rounded stone from river beds and glacial gravel deposits, washed and screened into size bands from 3/4 inch to 8 inches. It costs $40 to $100 per ton in 2026, weighs 1.35 to 1.6 tons per cubic yard, and is the go-to decorative stone for dry creek beds, garden beds, borders, and drainage swales where the rock needs to look good and stay put. It costs two to three times what crushed stone costs because it is sorted and washed, and because the supply is limited to places with river gravel.
Stone dust is a finely crushed aggregate made up of stone particles smaller than 1/4 inch. It compacts tightly when installed and lightly moistened, creating a firm, smooth surface ideal for leveling and base preparation.
Common Uses
River Rock
- ✓ Landscaping
- ✓ Dry creek beds
- ✓ Decorative borders
- ✓ Drainage swales
- ✓ Water features
- ✓ Ground cover
Stone Dust
- ✓ Paver base
- ✓ Walkways
- ✓ Patios
- ✓ Leveling layer
- ✓ Pathways
Pros & Cons
River Rock
- + Best-looking bulk stone, natural mixed colors
- + Never decomposes, one-time install
- + Drains fast and rarely clogs
- + Large sizes stay put in moving water
- + Available in sizes from 3/4 inch to 8 inch cobbles
- − Expensive, $40 to $100 per ton
- − Never packs, so it is a poor surface to walk or drive on
- − Heavy and awkward to spread
- − Holds heat in full sun
- − Hard to clean leaves and debris out of
Stone Dust
- + Compacts very tightly
- + Creates a smooth, level surface
- + Affordable and widely available
- + Easy to shape and grade
- − Poor drainage
- − Can become muddy if overwatered
- − Dusty when dry
- − Erodes without edging
Cost Comparison
| Measure | River Rock | Stone Dust |
|---|---|---|
| Per ton | $40 – $100 | $15 – $30 |
| Per cubic yard | $45 – $120 | $20 – $40 |
Sizes & Colors
River Rock
River rock is sold by size band: 3/4 to 1 inch (sometimes called large pea gravel), 1 to 2 inch (egg rock), 2 to 3 inch, 3 to 5 inch, and 5 to 8 inch cobbles. Every piece is smooth and rounded. Colors are a natural mix of tan, brown, gray, cream, rust, and black, with regional loads that run mostly one shade. Single-color sorted rock costs more.
Stone Dust
Fine crushed stone particles under 1/4 inch. Color varies by source rock and is typically gray or tan.
Published February 11, 2026
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