Gravel Prices: What Gravel Costs per Ton, per Yard and per Truckload
Gravel is sold by the ton, by the cubic yard, and by the truckload, and those three prices are not the same thing. A quote that looks cheap per ton can be expensive per yard, and a truckload price can hide delivery, minimum-load, and spreading charges. This guide explains gravel prices in 2026 by type, unit, and delivery, so you can compare quotes on a like-for-like basis. Start by working out how much you need with the free gravel calculator.
Gravel Price per Ton vs per Yard
One cubic yard of gravel usually weighs about 1.4 to 1.5 tons, depending on stone density and moisture. That means a $50 per ton price is roughly $70 to $75 per cubic yard before delivery. Suppliers may quote either unit, so always convert to the same unit before comparing. If you are unsure how much you need in either unit, use the how much gravel do I need guide alongside the gravel calculator.
| Gravel type | Price per ton | Price per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone | $35-$65 | $50-$95 |
| #57 stone | $40-$70 | $55-$100 |
| Pea gravel | $45-$85 | $65-$120 |
| River rock | $60-$120 | $85-$170 |
| Decomposed granite | $40-$75 | $55-$110 |
What a Truckload Really Costs
A typical tandem dump truck carries 10 to 14 tons, or about 7 to 10 cubic yards. A single truckload of crushed stone therefore often costs $500 to $1,200 delivered, depending on stone type, distance, and local fuel and haulage rates. Smaller single-axle trucks carry less and may cost more per ton. Always confirm the truck size, the exact tonnage, whether delivery is included, and whether there is a minimum-order or small-load fee.
Bulk vs Bags
Bags are convenient for small repairs, but they are far more expensive per ton. A 50 lb bag at $5 to $8 works out to $200 to $320 per ton, before you count the time to open and spread dozens of bags. For any project over a few square yards, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper. For a decorative finish, a pea gravel calculator can help you size a smaller, bag-friendly order without overbuying.
Delivery and Other Charges to Check
Delivery is often $50 to $200 per load, and longer hauls, difficult access, or waiting time can add more. Spreading, grading, and compaction are usually charged separately, and some suppliers add a fuel surcharge. A complete quote should state the stone, quantity in tons and yards, delivery charge, and any spreading or minimum fees. For driveway budgeting, also read our companion post on gravel driveway cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is gravel per ton in 2026?
Common crushed stone costs about $35 to $65 per ton before delivery, while pea gravel is often $45 to $85 per ton and river rock $60 to $120 per ton. Local quarry distance and stone type cause most of the variation.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard for most gravel types. Use 1.4 tons for lighter, dry stone and 1.5 tons for denser or wet stone when converting a quote.
How much does a truckload of gravel cost?
A 10 to 14 ton truckload of crushed stone typically costs $500 to $1,200 delivered, depending on stone, distance, and truck size. Confirm the exact tonnage and whether delivery and spreading are included.
Is bulk gravel cheaper than bags?
Yes, usually by a wide margin. Bags can cost $200 to $320 per ton equivalent, while bulk crushed stone is often $35 to $65 per ton before delivery. Bags only make sense for very small jobs.
How much does gravel cost?
Gravel typically costs 20 to 50 dollars per ton or 25 to 60 dollars per cubic yard for common crushed stone, with decorative stone costing more. Delivery adds 50 to 150 dollars per trip, so the delivered price per ton is the figure to compare between suppliers. Decorative river rock and marble chips can reach 100 dollars per ton or more.
How much is gravel per cubic yard?
Gravel cost per yard typically runs 25 to 60 dollars for common stone, 35 to 60 dollars for pea gravel, and 60 to 120 dollars for river rock. One cubic yard weighs about 1.3 to 1.6 tons depending on the material, so dividing the yard price by that weight gives the equivalent per-ton price. Confirm whether the price is loose or compacted volume before you compare.
What is the cheapest gravel you can buy?
Crusher run is usually the cheapest useful gravel at 20 to 35 dollars per ton, followed by basic crushed stone and recycled crushed concrete, which can cost 20 to 40 percent less than virgin stone. The cheapest stone is not always the best value for decorative areas, where appearance matters, but for driveways and bases it is hard to beat. Avoid the cheapest unwashed material for visible beds, where dust and mixed sizes will show.
Why do gravel prices vary so much by location?
Gravel is heavy and cheap per ton, so transport cost dominates the delivered price and nearby quarries almost always win. Regions with abundant local limestone or granite pay less, while areas that must import decorative stone pay far more for the same material. Seasonal demand, local competition and delivery distance add further variation, which is why local quotes matter more than national averages.
When is the best time to buy gravel?
Late fall and winter are usually the cheapest times to buy gravel, with discounts of 10 to 20 percent as construction demand falls and suppliers clear inventory. Spring and summer bring peak prices and longer delivery waits, especially for popular materials. If your project can wait until the off season, the saving on a full truckload can easily cover the delivery fee.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
A standard 12 by 50 foot driveway at 6 inches deep needs about 11 cubic yards or 15 to 16 tons of stone, while a full three-layer new build needs more. The formula is length times width times depth in feet, divided by 27 for cubic yards, then multiplied by about 1.4 tons per yard for crushed stone. Add 10 percent for compaction and waste, and round up to the nearest full load where possible.
Does delivery cost more than the gravel itself?
On small orders it can, because a 50 to 150 dollar delivery fee spread over one or two tons adds a large amount per ton. On full truckloads of 10-15 tons, delivery is usually a modest share of the total, which is why full loads are the best value. Pickup with your own truck removes the fee entirely, provided your vehicle can legally and safely carry the weight.
Gravel Prices at a Glance
Gravel cost in the United States typically runs 20 to 50 dollars per ton or 25 to 60 dollars per cubic yard for common crushed stone, with decorative stone reaching 100 dollars per ton or more. Delivery adds 50 to 150 dollars per trip for local hauls, and the delivered price per ton is the only figure that lets you compare suppliers fairly. Bulk stone is 70 to 85 percent cheaper than bagged stone for anything over one cubic yard, which is why bags are a repair product rather than a project product. Prices vary by region because gravel is heavy, so a quarry twenty miles away can beat a cheaper quarry a hundred miles away once hauling is counted.
Pea Gravel Cost in Detail
Pea gravel cost deserves its own section, because pea gravel is one of the most searched decorative stones and one of the easiest to overpay for. Pea gravel typically costs 30 to 50 dollars per ton or 35 to 60 dollars per cubic yard in bulk, with bagged pea gravel costing far more per yard at a home center. The pea gravel cost per ton rises for washed, uniformly sized or colored pebbles, and it falls for unwashed pit-run material that still contains dust and smaller stones. Pea gravel suits walkways, patios, playground borders and garden beds, but it rolls under tires, so it is a poor driveway surface despite its friendly price.
Delivery Fee and Distance: The Hidden Half of the Price
Delivery is where many gravel budgets break, because the stone price on a website rarely includes the truck that brings it. A local delivery fee of 50 to 150 dollars per trip is typical, with longer hauls adding a per-mile charge and restricted access adding a surcharge for smaller trucks or extra handling. Some suppliers offer free delivery above a minimum order, often 10 to 15 tons or within a short radius, which can make a larger order cheaper per ton than a smaller one. The nearest quarry usually wins on delivered price even when its stone price is higher, because every extra mile of hauling adds cost to every ton on the truck.
Gravel Prices by Project
Project prices make abstract per-ton figures concrete, because most buyers think in driveways, patios and paths rather than in tons. A 12 by 40 foot driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 6 cubic yards or 8 to 9 tons, which costs roughly 250 to 450 dollars in bulk stone before delivery. A 10 by 10 foot patio base at 4 inches deep needs about 1.2 cubic yards and costs roughly 50 to 120 dollars in bulk, while a 3 by 30 foot walkway at 3 inches deep needs under one cubic yard and costs roughly 40 to 80 dollars. A 50 foot French drain needs about 2.5 cubic yards and costs roughly 100 to 200 dollars in bulk stone, and a 200 square foot landscaping bed at 2 inches deep needs about 1.2 cubic yards for roughly 60 to 120 dollars.
What Moves Gravel Prices Up or Down?
Several factors move gravel prices, and most of them are outside the stone itself, which is why local quotes beat national averages. Distance from the quarry is the biggest factor, because hauling heavy stone is expensive and every mile adds to the delivered price per ton. Season matters too, since spring and summer bring peak construction demand while late fall and winter often bring discounts of 10 to 20 percent. Order size matters because suppliers give price breaks at 5, 10 and 20 tons, and a full truckload is almost always the cheapest unit. Stone quality also matters, since washed, uniformly sized and attractively colored stone costs more than construction-grade material with dust and mixed sizes.
How to Get the Best Gravel Price
The best gravel price comes from comparing delivered totals, not headline stone prices, and from timing and sizing your order well. Get quotes from at least three suppliers, ask each for a delivered price per ton for the same material and quantity, and use competing quotes to negotiate, since many yards will match a rival price on a full load. Order a full truckload in one delivery rather than several small loads, and consider ordering in the off season if your project can wait. Buy directly from a quarry where possible, because cutting out a middleman can save 15 to 25 percent, provided you can arrange delivery or pickup yourself.
Before you order, convert every quote to the same unit, confirm delivery, and add a small allowance for compaction. That simple check is what turns a confusing set of prices into a fair comparison.
