Estimate material cost, delivery fees, and total price for gravel, stone, sand, and landscaping materials. Enter your dimensions and price per yard or ton below.
Prices vary by region, supplier, and quantity ordered. The table below shows typical ranges across the United States to help you budget for your project.
| Material | $ / Cu. Yd. | $ / Ton | Coverage at 2" |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | $30-60 | $25-50 | 120 sq.ft./ton |
| Pea Gravel | $35-60 | $30-50 | 120 sq.ft./ton |
| Crushed Stone | $30-55 | $25-45 | 120 sq.ft./ton |
| River Rock | $45-80 | $35-65 | 90 sq.ft./ton |
| Sand | $25-50 | $20-40 | 120 sq.ft./ton |
| Topsoil | $20-45 | $15-35 | 130 sq.ft./ton |
| Mulch | $25-45 | $20-40 | 160 sq.ft./ton |
Prices are approximate national averages. Contact local suppliers for exact pricing. Coverage assumes a 2-inch depth.
Understanding gravel weight is essential for cost calculations because many suppliers price by the ton rather than the cubic yard. A cubic yard of standard loose gravel weighs approximately 2,700 pounds or 1.35 tons.
This conversion factor connects volume and weight pricing. If your supplier charges $40 per ton and you need 5 cubic yards of gravel:
Different materials have different densities. Here is a weight reference for common bulk materials:
| Material | lbs / cu. yd. | tons / cu. yd. |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel (loose) | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Gravel (compacted) | 3,100 | 1.55 |
| Crushed Stone | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| River Rock | 2,500 | 1.25 |
| Limestone | 3,000 | 1.50 |
| Sand (dry) | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Topsoil | 2,200 | 1.10 |
| Mulch | 800 | 0.40 |
For a detailed weight breakdown of every material, see our gravel weight chart.
Coverage depends on depth. A ton of standard gravel (1.35 tons per cubic yard) covers less area as the depth increases. Use this table to quickly estimate how much ground one ton of gravel will cover:
| Depth | Sq. Ft. per Ton | Sq. Ft. per Cu. Yd. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 240 | 324 |
| 2 inches | 120 | 162 |
| 3 inches | 80 | 108 |
| 4 inches | 60 | 81 |
| 6 inches | 40 | 54 |
For example, if you need to cover 500 square feet at 3 inches deep, you would need 500 ÷ 80 = 6.25 tons of gravel. At $40 per ton, that is $250 in material. Check out our gravel coverage chart for more depth and area combinations.
Delivery is often the second-largest cost after the material itself. Most landscape supply yards charge a flat fee plus a mileage surcharge for distances beyond their standard delivery radius.
| Distance | Typical Delivery Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10 miles | $50-75 | Standard delivery zone for most yards |
| 10-20 miles | $75-125 | May require minimum order of 3+ yards |
| 20-30 miles | $125-200 | Some suppliers won't deliver this far |
| 30+ miles | $200+ | Consider a closer supplier |
Tips to reduce delivery costs:
A standard dump truck carries 10-14 cubic yards. If your project requires less than 5 yards, you may pay the same delivery fee as a full load, so consider ordering a little extra for future maintenance.
For small projects, bags from a home improvement store are convenient. For anything larger, bulk saves a tremendous amount of money. Here is a real-world comparison:
| Amount Needed | Bag Cost (at $5/bag) | Bulk Cost (at $45/yd + $75 delivery) | Savings with Bulk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 cu. yd. | $68 (14 bags) | $86 (min order + delivery) | Bags win |
| 0.5 cu. yd. | $135 (27 bags) | $98 (min order + delivery) | $37 (27%) |
| 1 cu. yd. | $270 (54 bags) | $120 | $150 (56%) |
| 3 cu. yd. | $810 (162 bags) | $210 | $600 (74%) |
| 5 cu. yd. | $1,350 (270 bags) | $300 | $1,050 (78%) |
| 10 cu. yd. | $2,700 (540 bags) | $525 | $2,175 (81%) |
The break-even point is roughly 0.5 cubic yards (27 bags). Below that threshold, bags are more convenient and sometimes cheaper. Above it, bulk delivery delivers significant cost savings that increase with order size.
Beyond cost, there is a labor consideration. Carrying and opening 54 bags for a single cubic yard is exhausting work. Bulk delivery dumps the material on your driveway in minutes.
A cubic yard of gravel costs $30-60 on average, depending on the type. Basic gravel and crushed stone are at the lower end ($30-55), while decorative options like river rock cost $45-80 per cubic yard. Prices vary by region and supplier.
A ton of gravel costs $25-50 for standard varieties. Since one cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.35 tons, the per-ton price is slightly lower than the per-yard price. Specialty stone like river rock costs $35-65 per ton.
Gravel delivery typically costs $50-150 depending on distance and quantity. Many suppliers offer free delivery for orders above 5-10 cubic yards. Additional fees may apply for difficult access, steep driveways, or locations more than 20 miles from the yard.
Bulk is significantly cheaper. Bagged gravel costs $216-324 per cubic yard (at $4-6 per 0.5 cu.ft. bag), while bulk gravel costs $30-60 per cubic yard — up to 80% less. Buy bags only for very small projects under 0.5 cubic yards.
A cubic yard of loose gravel weighs about 2,700 pounds or 1.35 tons. The weight varies by material: compacted gravel weighs 3,100 lbs (1.55 tons), sand weighs 2,700 lbs dry (3,400 wet), and mulch weighs only 800 lbs (0.40 tons) per cubic yard.
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