Gravel Cost Calculator
Gravel is priced by the ton but you measure in feet. Enter the area, depth and your local price to get tons, yards and the bill.
How the cost is calculated
- Volume = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) in cubic feet.
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- Tons = cubic yards × density (1.4 for crushed stone).
- Cost = tons × your price per ton.
Worked example
A 20 ft × 10 ft parking pad at 4 inches, crushed stone at $45 per ton:
- 66.7 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 cu yd
- 2.47 × 1.4 = 3.46 tons
- 3.46 × $45 = $156, or about $0.78 per square foot
Add delivery. A single 3.5-ton load often carries a $100–200 delivery charge, which is a third of the material cost again.
Typical US prices per ton
| Material | Per ton | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone (¾ in) | $30–60 | Driveways, base layers |
| Pea gravel | $35–70 | Paths, play areas, borders |
| Crusher run / stone dust | $25–45 | Compacted base under pavers |
| River rock | $80–150 | Decorative beds, dry creeks |
| Delivery (dump truck) | $100–300 | Often free above 10 tons |
How far does a ton go?
| Depth | 1 ton covers | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | ~77 sq ft | ~108 sq ft |
| 3 in | ~52 sq ft | ~72 sq ft |
| 4 in | ~38 sq ft | ~54 sq ft |
| 6 in | ~26 sq ft | ~36 sq ft |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ton of gravel cost?
Crushed stone is $30–60 per ton, pea gravel $35–70, and decorative river rock $80–150. Delivery is the wildcard: $100–300 per load, sometimes waived above 10 tons.
How much does a gravel driveway cost?
A 40 × 10 ft driveway at 4 inches needs about 6.9 tons — $250–400 in stone. Installed with a compacted base, grading and delivery, most quotes land between $1,500 and $3,000.
Ton or yard — which is cheaper?
They measure the same thing differently. One cubic yard of crushed stone is about 1.4 tons, so a $45/ton price equals roughly $63/yard. Always convert both quotes to the same unit before deciding.
How much gravel do I need for a path?
A 3 ft wide path at 2 inches deep uses about 0.5 cubic yards per 10 feet of length — around 0.7 tons. That is one small trailer load, so order a little extra rather than making two trips.