How Much Does Gravel Cost in 2026?
The short answer: $20 to $80 per cubic yard or $25 to $100 per ton delivered, depending on type and region. Standard crushed-stone roadbase ($30–$50/yd) is the workhorse; decorative gravel can run 3–5× that.
Gravel pricing by type
| Type | $/cu yd (delivered) | $/ton (delivered) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone (3/4" roadbase) | $30–$50 | $25–$45 | Driveways, pathways, base layers |
| Pea gravel | $40–$70 | $35–$70 | Patios, pathways, decorative |
| River rock (washed, 1–3") | $70–$130 | $70–$140 | Decorative beds, dry creeks |
| Crushed concrete (recycled) | $15–$30 | $15–$30 | Driveway base (where allowed) |
| Decomposed granite | $50–$90 | $60–$100 | Pathways, southwestern landscapes |
| Lava rock | $110–$180 | $200–$320 | Decorative, lightweight, fire pits |
| Marble chips | $130–$220 | $150–$250 | Premium decorative, formal beds |
| Quartzite / specialty stone | $100–$300 | $120–$350 | Designer landscapes |
Per-ton vs per-cu-yd
Suppliers quote in either per-cubic-yard or per-ton, depending on region. The conversion depends on density:
- Crushed stone: 1.5 tons per cubic yard (1.78 tonnes/m³)
- Pea gravel: 1.4 tons/cu yd
- River rock: 1.4–1.7 tons/cu yd
- Roadbase (compacted): 1.7–1.9 tons/cu yd
So $35/yd of roadbase = ~$23/ton. Always check both prices and pick the cheaper unit for your project.
What you actually spend per project
New 50×12 ft gravel driveway (4" base + 2" surface = 6" total):
- Driveway area: 600 sq ft
- Total volume needed: ~11.1 cu yd of gravel
- Roadbase @ $40/yd × 7.4 yd = $295
- Surface 3/4" minus @ $40/yd × 3.7 yd = $148
- Delivery (2 trucks) = $200
- Geotextile fabric (under base) = $120
- Vibratory compactor rental (1 day) = $70
- DIY total: ~$830 ($1.40/sq ft)
Same driveway with contractor install: add $1.50–$3/sq ft labor = $900–$1,800 labor. Turnkey: $1,700–$2,600.
Use the gravel driveway calculator for the exact base + surface tonnage.
Where to buy
- Local quarries / pits — cheapest source. Will sell directly to homeowners with a pickup truck. Pick up your own to save 30–50% on delivery costs.
- Landscape supply yards — wider selection of decorative gravel, often sold by the scoop (~1 cu yd) into your truck or delivered.
- Big box stores (Home Depot, Lowe's) — only practical for bagged gravel (50-lb bags @ $5–$8). Way more expensive per cu yd than bulk; use only for very small projects (under 1 cu yd).
- Concrete plants — sometimes sell crushed stone as a sideline. Often the cheapest bulk source if available locally.
Hidden costs people forget
- Delivery fees — almost always $50–$200. Pickup is cheaper if you have the truck and time.
- Geotextile fabric — $0.30–$0.60 per sq ft. Highly recommended under any gravel install on clay or wet soil. Without it, fines from below migrate up and your gravel disappears.
- Edging — keeps gravel from spreading into lawns. $1–$3/linear ft for treated wood; $3–$8 for metal; $5–$25 for stone curbing.
- Compactor rental — $60–80/day for vibratory plate. Required for proper base layers. Don't try to skip it.
- Disposal of excavated soil — $30–$100 per dump-truck load to a transfer station, OR free if a neighbor wants fill dirt.
- Re-grading every 5–10 years — gravel migrates and the high spots wear flat. Budget another $200–$500 in materials per decade per driveway.
What to budget if hiring a contractor
- Gravel driveway install (new): $2.50–$5/sq ft turnkey including base prep, geotextile, gravel, grading. So 600 sq ft = $1,500–$3,000.
- Gravel walkway: $4–$10/sq ft (more cuts, more edging detail).
- Decorative gravel beds: $1.50–$4/sq ft for spreading + edging existing gravel.
- Driveway repair (top-off): $400–$1,000 for a typical 600 sq ft drive.
Common questions
What's the cheapest gravel for a driveway?
Crushed concrete recycled aggregate ($15–$30/yd) where it's legal — about half the price of virgin crushed stone, performs nearly as well, and has lower environmental impact. Some HOAs and counties don't allow it; ask first.
Why is my gravel washing away?
Likely insufficient base or no edging. The base needs to be compacted (not just dumped) and the driveway should have a 1–2% crown so water sheds to the sides rather than running down the middle. Without edging, gravel migrates outward over time.
Pea gravel vs crushed stone for a patio?
Crushed stone (3/4" minus) packs into a firm walkable surface — chairs sit level on it. Pea gravel rolls underfoot and chairs sink. Use crushed stone for any patio you'll furnish; pea gravel only for purely decorative areas or kids' play zones.
How much waste should I order?
5–10% is standard. Gravel is dumped and spread, not cut, so waste is much lower than for cut materials. The main loss is edge spillover and slight settling. Order on the higher end if your driveway is very irregular.
Plan with the general gravel calculator or gravel driveway calculator.