US average 2026: $15–$75/ton. See type table below.
Gravel Cost Guide: Price Per Ton & Driveway Costs (2026)
This calculator estimates gravel material cost by converting project dimensions to tonnage, applying your waste allowance, and multiplying by your local price per ton. For quantity-only estimates with cubic yards and metric support, use the Gravel Calculator.
Gravel cost per ton by type (2026)
| Gravel type | Cost per ton | Coverage per ton (4 in deep) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone / road base | $15–$30 | ~80–100 ft² | Most common driveway material |
| Pea gravel | $20–$40 | ~90–110 ft² | Decorative paths and beds, good drainage |
| Washed gravel | $25–$45 | ~85–100 ft² | Clean aggregate, drainage applications |
| Decomposed granite | $35–$50 | ~95–115 ft² | Natural paths, xeriscaping |
| River rock / decorative | $50–$75 | ~70–90 ft² | Landscaping, water features |
Material costs only. Add $50–$150 delivery, $500–$2,000 for excavation and labor on a new driveway. Crushed stone highlighted as the most common driveway base material.
Gravel driveway cost by size
| Driveway size | Tons needed (4 in) | Materials at $25/ton | Materials at $60/ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (10×40 ft) | ~7 tons | ~$175 | ~$420 |
| 2-car (20×40 ft) | ~14 tons | ~$350 | ~$840 |
| Long (12×100 ft) | ~21 tons | ~$525 | ~$1,260 |
| Large (20×100 ft) | ~35 tons | ~$875 | ~$2,100 |
Material only at 110 lb/ft³ density with 10% waste. Excludes delivery, excavation, grading, and labor. 2-car driveway highlighted as most common residential size.
What affects gravel cost
The biggest variable after gravel type is delivery distance. Most suppliers charge a flat delivery fee for the first load, then add per-mile charges beyond a certain radius. If your site is more than 20–30 miles from a quarry or landscape supply yard, delivery costs can add meaningfully to the total. This is particularly relevant in rural areas where the nearest supplier may be 50+ miles away.
Minimum delivery loads also catch homeowners off guard. Most suppliers have a minimum of 10–15 tons per delivery. If your project only needs 5 tons, you may pay the same delivery fee as someone ordering 12 tons, making the per-ton effective cost higher. For small projects, pickup with a trailer or bagged gravel from a home improvement store is worth comparing against bulk delivery.
Gravel cost by region: 2026 US averages
Gravel pricing is more locally driven than most materials because aggregate is heavy and expensive to transport long distances. Quarry density matters a lot: regions with abundant limestone, granite, or river gravel sources within 30–50 miles of most customers tend to have significantly lower material prices. The Southeast and parts of the Midwest have excellent quarry supply, while the West Coast and remote Northeast face higher prices partly due to transportation costs and fewer local quarry sources.
| Region | States | Crushed stone (per ton) | Installed driveway (per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast | FL, GA, NC, SC, TN | $14–$28 | $1.50–$4 |
| South Central | TX, OK, AR, LA | $12–$25 | $1.50–$3.50 |
| Midwest | OH, MI, IL, IN, WI | $15–$30 | $2–$4.50 |
| Mid-Atlantic | PA, VA, MD, NJ | $18–$35 | $2–$5 |
| Mountain West | CO, AZ, NV, UT | $16–$32 | $2–$5 |
| Northeast | NY, MA, CT, RI | $22–$42 | $2.50–$6 |
| West Coast | CA, WA, OR | $25–$50 | $3–$7 |
Crushed stone/road base pricing. Installed driveway includes delivery, grading, and spreading labor at 4 inches depth. South Central highlighted as lowest-cost region. Always get a local quote as pricing varies significantly by proximity to quarry.
Texas has some of the best aggregate pricing in the country, driven by abundant limestone quarry supply across the Hill Country and Central Texas region, and low transport costs within the state's dense network of smaller suppliers. A 2-car gravel driveway that might cost $3,000–$4,500 installed in New England typically runs $1,200–$2,500 in Houston or Dallas. The Southeast broadly follows suit, with good quarry supply in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee keeping prices competitive.
California is the most expensive gravel market in the country, combining high labour costs with environmental permitting requirements on quarry operations that reduce local supply and push prices up. If you are in a high-cost market and your project allows for it, picking up aggregate yourself with a rented trailer can cut 30–50% off the delivered cost for smaller loads.
Gravel driveway cost by city (2-car, 20×40 ft, installed)
| City | Materials only (est.) | Installed cost (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $280–$560 | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Dallas, TX | $280–$560 | $1,200–$2,600 |
| Atlanta, GA | $320–$640 | $1,400–$3,000 |
| Charlotte, NC | $320–$640 | $1,400–$2,800 |
| Columbus, OH | $360–$720 | $1,600–$3,200 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $340–$680 | $1,500–$3,200 |
| Chicago, IL | $380–$760 | $1,800–$3,600 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $400–$800 | $1,800–$3,800 |
| New York, NY | $480–$960 | $2,200–$4,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $560–$1,120 | $2,600–$6,000 |
Based on a standard 20x40 ft (800 sq ft) 2-car driveway at 4 inches depth. Columbus, OH shown as the national mid-market reference. Installed prices include delivery, grading, and spreading. Get local quotes to confirm current pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gravel Project Planning Checklist
Covers site preparation, subgrade compaction, drainage considerations, geotextile fabric, edging, and spreading steps before ordering.
Download Checklist (PDF)Planning use only. See Methodology and Data Sources. View all project checklists →
Accuracy & Review
Reviewed by: Maria Ramirez, PE
Maria is a licensed Professional Engineer with experience reviewing residential and commercial aggregate quantity takeoffs. She reviewed the formulas, unit conversions, density assumptions, and rounding rules used in this calculator.
Last updated:
See: Methodology · Data Sources · Review Board
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Disclaimer: Estimates are for general planning only. Actual costs vary based on gravel type, site conditions, delivery distance, and local supplier pricing. Regional and city figures are indicative only. Always confirm quantities and pricing with your supplier before ordering.
See Methodology and Data Sources for details.