The cost of a cubic yard of gravel can range from $10 to $70, depending on the type of gravel, where you buy it, and whether delivery is included. This guide will help you figure out the exact gravel per cubic yard price for your project. We’ll break down what influences the cost of cubic yard gravel, how to calculate your needs, and where to find the best cubic yard gravel price.
What Determines the Price of Gravel?
Several factors play a big role in how much you’ll pay for a cubic yard of gravel. Knowing these can help you get the best gravel yard cost.
1. Type of Gravel
Different types of gravel have different costs. This is often due to how they are sourced, processed, and their specific properties.
Common Gravel Types and Their Pricing
- Pea Gravel: Small, smooth, rounded stones, often used for decorative purposes, pathways, and playgrounds. It’s generally on the lower to mid-range of the price spectrum.
- Crushed Stone (e.g., #57 Stone, #3 Stone): Angular, crushed rock available in various sizes. These are popular for driveways, drainage, and as a base material. The size and processing can affect the price, with finer crushed stone sometimes costing a bit more.
- River Rock: Larger, smooth, rounded stones often found in riverbeds. These are typically more expensive due to their natural smoothness and attractive appearance, making them popular for landscaping and water features.
- Decorative Gravels (e.g., Lava Rock, Quartzite): These are specialty gravels chosen for their color and texture. They are usually the most expensive due to their unique aesthetic qualities and sometimes limited availability.
- Gravel Mixes: Some suppliers offer blended gravels for specific applications, like driveway mixes or paver base. The cost will vary based on the components.
Price Range Examples (per cubic yard, before delivery):
- Pea Gravel: $20 – $40
- Crushed Stone: $15 – $35
- River Rock: $30 – $60
- Decorative Gravels: $40 – $70+
2. Source and Quarry Location
Where the gravel comes from matters. Quarries closer to you will generally have lower transportation costs, which can translate to a lower price per cubic yard. If you’re in an area with abundant local gravel pits, you’ll likely find better deals than in regions where gravel has to be shipped from further away.
3. Bulk vs. Bagged Purchases
Buying gravel in bulk is almost always cheaper than buying it in bags.
- Bulk Gravel: Sold by the cubic yard or ton. This is the most economical option for larger projects.
- Bagged Gravel: Typically sold in 0.5 cubic foot bags (though sizes can vary). While convenient for very small projects, the per-cubic-yard cost is significantly higher. A typical bag might contain 50 lbs of gravel and cost $5-$10. You’d need roughly 14-15 bags to equal one cubic yard, making bagged gravel easily $70-$150+ per cubic yard.
This is why for most projects, you’ll want to focus on bulk gravel pricing.
4. Season and Demand
Like many commodities, gravel prices can fluctuate slightly based on seasonal demand. During spring and summer, when landscaping and construction projects are most common, prices might be slightly higher. Conversely, demand might be lower in the fall and winter, potentially leading to slightly better deals.
5. Supplier and Retailer
Different suppliers will have different pricing structures. It’s wise to get quotes from multiple sources.
- Local Quarries/Gravel Pits: Often offer the best price of gravel by the yard directly.
- Garden Centers and Landscaping Supply Stores: May offer competitive pricing, especially for decorative types.
- Big Box Home Improvement Stores: Convenient, but can sometimes be more expensive for bulk quantities.
Calculating Your Gravel Needs
Before you can figure out the cost, you need to know how much gravel you need. Using a gravel calculator is the easiest way to do this.
How to Measure for Gravel
You’ll need to measure the area you want to cover and the desired depth of the gravel.
- Measure Length and Width: Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Determine Depth: Decide how deep you want the gravel to be. Common depths include:
- Driveways: 4-6 inches (compacted)
- Pathways: 2-4 inches
- Landscaping beds: 2-3 inches
- Base layers for patios/pavers: 4-6 inches
- Convert Depth to Feet: Since measurements are usually in inches, convert this to feet by dividing by 12. For example, 4 inches is 4/12 = 0.33 feet.
- Calculate Volume in Cubic Feet: Multiply length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft).
- Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards: There are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard. Divide your cubic feet measurement by 27.
Gravel Calculator Formula:
Cubic Yards = (Length in feet × Width in feet × Depth in feet) / 27
Example Calculation:
Let’s say you want to create a gravel driveway that is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and you want a depth of 4 inches (0.33 feet).
Cubic Yards = (20 ft × 10 ft × 0.33 ft) / 27
Cubic Yards = 66 cu ft / 27
Cubic Yards ≈ 2.44 cubic yards
It’s always a good idea to round up to the nearest half or full cubic yard to ensure you have enough, especially if you plan on compacting the gravel. For this example, you’d likely order 2.5 or 3 cubic yards.
The Actual Cost: Gravel Price Breakdown
So, how much does a cubic yard of gravel cost when you factor in everything?
Base Material Cost
This is the price of the gravel itself, as discussed in the “Type of Gravel” section. For common crushed stone, you might pay between $15 and $35 per cubic yard from a local supplier. For decorative river rock, it could be $30 to $60.
Delivery Costs
This is a significant factor in the total gravel delivery cost. Most suppliers charge a fee for delivery, which can vary widely.
Factors Affecting Delivery Fees:
- Distance: The further you are from the supplier’s yard, the higher the delivery fee.
- Volume: Some suppliers have a minimum order for delivery or a tiered pricing structure based on how many cubic yards you order.
- Delivery Truck Size: If you need a very large quantity, you might need multiple trips, or a larger truck, which could increase the cost.
- Accessibility: Difficult-to-access sites might incur extra charges.
Typical Delivery Fee Ranges:
Delivery fees can range from $50 to $200 or more per load. A typical load might be anywhere from 5 to 15 cubic yards, depending on the truck’s capacity and the weight of the gravel.
Example:
If gravel costs $25 per cubic yard and you need 5 cubic yards, the material cost is $125. If the delivery fee is $100, your total cost is $225. This makes the effective gravel yard cost $45 per cubic yard ($225 / 5 cubic yards).
Additional Potential Costs
- Taxes: Sales tax will be added to the total bill.
- Equipment Rental: If you’re doing a large project and need to move the gravel yourself, you might need to rent a wheelbarrow, shovel, or even a small excavator, which adds to the overall landscaping gravel cost.
- Compaction Equipment: For driveways or base layers, you might need to rent a plate compactor to ensure the gravel settles properly and doesn’t shift.
Getting the Best Cubic Yard Gravel Price
To ensure you’re getting the best value for your money, follow these tips.
1. Shop Around
- Contact Local Quarries: These are often the most direct and cost-effective sources for bulk gravel.
- Check Landscaping Supply Yards: They may have competitive pricing, especially for decorative options.
- Compare Quotes: Get at least 2-3 quotes before making a decision, including delivery costs.
2. Know Your Needs
- Accurate Measurement: Use a gravel calculator or the formula to get precise measurements. Over-ordering leads to wasted money, but under-ordering means extra delivery fees or multiple trips.
- Right Gravel Type: Choose the gravel type that suits your project’s needs and budget. Don’t pay for a decorative stone if a standard crushed stone will suffice.
3. Consider Delivery Logistics
- Combine Orders: If you or your neighbors need gravel, try to combine orders to potentially reduce per-yard delivery costs.
- Flexible Delivery Times: Sometimes, suppliers might offer a slight discount if you can be flexible with their delivery schedule.
4. Buy in Bulk
As mentioned earlier, bulk purchases are significantly cheaper than bagged options. Always aim for bulk gravel pricing.
5. Factor in Labor and Installation
While not part of the cubic yard gravel price itself, remember to budget for the time and effort it will take to spread and compact the gravel, or the cost of hiring someone to do it.
Cost Examples for Common Projects
Let’s look at some typical scenarios to illustrate the cost of a cubic yard of gravel.
Example 1: Small Pathway
- Project: A garden pathway 3 feet wide, 20 feet long, with a 3-inch (0.25 ft) depth.
- Gravel Needed: (3 ft × 20 ft × 0.25 ft) / 27 ≈ 0.69 cubic yards.
- Gravel Type: Pea gravel ($30/cubic yard).
- Bulk Purchase: You’d likely buy 1 cubic yard.
- Material Cost: 1 cubic yard × $30/cubic yard = $30.
- Delivery Cost: For such a small amount, delivery might be costly. If delivery is $100, the total is $130.
- Alternative: Pick up from a local supplier if possible (saves delivery fee).
- Effective Price (with delivery): $130 / 1 cubic yard = $130 per cubic yard.
- Effective Price (pickup): $30 / 1 cubic yard = $30 per cubic yard.
Example 2: Driveway Resurfacing
- Project: Resurfacing a driveway 10 feet wide, 50 feet long, with a 4-inch (0.33 ft) depth.
- Gravel Needed: (10 ft × 50 ft × 0.33 ft) / 27 ≈ 6.1 cubic yards.
- Gravel Type: Crushed stone (#57 stone, $20/cubic yard).
- Bulk Purchase: You’d likely order 6.5 or 7 cubic yards. Let’s estimate 7 cubic yards for simplicity.
- Material Cost: 7 cubic yards × $20/cubic yard = $140.
- Delivery Cost: Assume a delivery fee of $120.
- Total Cost: $140 (material) + $120 (delivery) = $260.
- Effective Price (with delivery): $260 / 7 cubic yards ≈ $37.14 per cubic yard.
Example 3: Landscaping Bed Fill
- Project: Filling a large landscaping bed that is 15 feet long, 10 feet wide, with a 3-inch (0.25 ft) depth.
- Gravel Needed: (15 ft × 10 ft × 0.25 ft) / 27 ≈ 1.39 cubic yards.
- Gravel Type: Decorative landscape gravel ($45/cubic yard).
- Bulk Purchase: You’d likely order 1.5 cubic yards.
- Material Cost: 1.5 cubic yards × $45/cubic yard = $67.50.
- Delivery Cost: If delivery is $80.
- Total Cost: $67.50 (material) + $80 (delivery) = $147.50.
- Effective Price (with delivery): $147.50 / 1.5 cubic yards ≈ $98.33 per cubic yard.
These examples highlight how delivery costs can significantly impact the gravel per cubic yard price, especially for smaller quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gravel Costs
Q: What is the cheapest type of gravel?
A: Generally, basic crushed stone or driveway gravel is the cheapest option. Prices can start as low as $15-$20 per cubic yard for the material itself from a local quarry, before delivery.
Q: How much does gravel cost per ton?
A: Gravel is often sold by the cubic yard, but some suppliers also sell it by the ton. The cost per ton depends on the type of gravel and its density. A general estimate is that 1 cubic yard of gravel weighs between 2,000 to 3,000 pounds (1 to 1.5 tons). So, if gravel is $25 per cubic yard, it might be around $16.67 to $25 per ton.
Q: Can I pick up gravel myself?
A: Yes, if you have a truck with sufficient hauling capacity, you can often pick up gravel directly from the supplier. This is a great way to save on gravel delivery cost, especially for smaller quantities. Always check the cubic yard or ton capacity of your vehicle.
Q: How many cubic yards of gravel do I need for a driveway?
A: This depends on the size of your driveway and the desired depth. For a typical driveway (say, 10 ft x 50 ft), a depth of 4 inches would require about 6.1 cubic yards. It’s advisable to round up and consider adding a base layer (e.g., larger crushed stone) and a top layer of gravel for better durability.
Q: What is the difference between gravel and crushed stone?
A: “Gravel” is a broad term for small, loose fragments of rock. Crushed stone is a specific type of gravel that is produced by crushing larger rocks. Crushed stone typically has angular edges, which help it interlock and compact well, making it ideal for driveways and base materials. Natural gravels, like river rock, are usually smoother and more rounded.
Q: Is it cheaper to buy gravel by the cubic yard or by the ton?
A: This varies by supplier and the type of gravel. Many suppliers price gravel by the cubic yard because it’s easier to measure volume. However, some may price by the ton. It’s best to ask for both prices if available to see which is more economical for your specific needs and the type of gravel you want.
By carefully planning, measuring, and comparing prices from different suppliers, you can effectively manage the cost of cubic yard gravel and ensure your project stays within budget. Remember to always factor in the gravel delivery cost when calculating your total expenses.