River Rock vs Topsoil: Size, Cost, and Which to Use

River Rock

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.

Topsoil

Nutrient-rich upper layer of soil, ideal for establishing lawns, gardens, and planting beds. Quality topsoil is dark, crumbly, and full of organic matter that supports plant growth. Screened topsoil has been filtered to remove rocks, roots, and debris.

River Rock

• ✓ Landscaping
• ✓ Dry creek beds
• ✓ Decorative borders
• ✓ Drainage swales
• ✓ Water features
• ✓ Ground cover

Topsoil

• ✓ Lawn seeding
• ✓ Garden beds
• ✓ Raised bed fill
• ✓ Landscape grading
• ✓ Sod installation
• ✓ Tree and shrub planting

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

Topsoil

• + Rich in nutrients for plant growth
• + Creates ideal growing medium
• + Dark color absorbs warmth for earlier spring planting
• + Screened options are ready to use
• + Essential for any planting project

• − Settles significantly after delivery
• − Quality varies greatly between suppliers
• − Can contain weed seeds
• − Heavy when wet
• − Should never be used as structural fill

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.

Topsoil

Fine, crumbly soil texture when screened. Dark brown to black color indicates high organic content. "Screened" topsoil has been run through a 3/8" or 1/2" screen to remove debris. Blended topsoil may include compost for extra nutrients.