How this calculator works
Gravel is a volume problem before it’s a price problem — most people buy too little or way too much. This tool does the math first, then prices it.
From square feet to cubic yards
Coverage is simple: area × depth ÷ 324 = cubic yards (that’s the 100-square-feet-at-3-inches rule). A yard weighs about 1.4 tons, which matters because some suppliers quote by the ton. The calculator shows both, so you can compare quotes either way.
Where the money goes
Bulk gravel itself is cheap; the delivery trip is a flat fee that dominates small orders, which is why ordering one extra yard rarely hurts. Spreading is the labor piece — a crew with a skid steer makes quick work of a driveway, while a path is wheelbarrow territory. Switch the toggle to see both ways: DIY (material + delivery) versus hiring the spreading out.
Picking the right stone
The price table above isn’t just cosmetics — different stones behave differently. Crushed stone compacts into a stable surface; pea gravel stays loose and rolls underfoot; decomposed granite packs almost like a dirt path; river rock is for looks and drainage, not for walking comfort. If this gravel is the base for something bigger, see the paver patio or concrete driveway calculators for the full project.
2026 bulk gravel price per cubic yard
Bulk prices from aggregate yards. Bagged gravel from big-box stores runs 2–3× more per yard — fine for small patches, painful for a whole path.
| Option | Low (per cubic yard) | High (per cubic yard) | Typical (per cubic yard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone (#57) | $25 | $60 | $40 |
| Pea gravel | $30 | $60 | $45 |
| Decomposed granite | $35 | $75 | $50 |
| River rock | $50 | $130 | $90 |
Estimated cost by state
Typical installed range for covering 300 sq ft with 3 inches of crushed stone, delivered and spread, adjusted by each state's construction cost index. Your actual project scales with the size and options you enter above.
| State | Estimated low | Estimated high |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $157 | $433 |
| Alaska | $202 | $559 |
| Arizona | $174 | $481 |
| Arkansas | $158 | $437 |
| California | $202 | $559 |
| Colorado | $172 | $476 |
| Connecticut | $185 | $510 |
| Delaware | $174 | $481 |
| District of Columbia | $181 | $501 |
| Florida | $165 | $457 |
| Georgia | $160 | $442 |
| Hawaii | $225 | $622 |
| Idaho | $174 | $481 |
| Illinois | $209 | $578 |
| Indiana | $181 | $501 |
| Iowa | $178 | $491 |
| Kansas | $172 | $476 |
| Kentucky | $174 | $481 |
| Louisiana | $164 | $452 |
| Maine | $174 | $481 |
| Maryland | $176 | $486 |
| Massachusetts | $206 | $569 |
| Michigan | $180 | $496 |
| Minnesota | $199 | $549 |
| Mississippi | $158 | $437 |
| Missouri | $190 | $525 |
| Montana | $181 | $501 |
| Nebraska | $176 | $486 |
| Nevada | $178 | $491 |
| New Hampshire | $178 | $491 |
| New Jersey | $208 | $573 |
| New Mexico | $160 | $442 |
| New York | $197 | $544 |
| North Carolina | $167 | $462 |
| North Dakota | $180 | $496 |
| Ohio | $181 | $501 |
| Oklahoma | $164 | $452 |
| Oregon | $181 | $501 |
| Pennsylvania | $180 | $496 |
| Rhode Island | $197 | $544 |
| South Carolina | $165 | $457 |
| South Dakota | $171 | $471 |
| Tennessee | $171 | $471 |
| Texas | $160 | $442 |
| Utah | $174 | $481 |
| Vermont | $176 | $486 |
| Virginia | $164 | $452 |
| Washington | $195 | $539 |
| West Virginia | $160 | $442 |
| Wisconsin | $187 | $515 |
| Wyoming | $174 | $481 |
Frequently asked questions
How much gravel do I need?
Multiply area by depth to get volume — one cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep, and weighs roughly 1.4 tons. The calculator converts your square footage and depth into cubic yards and tons automatically.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel cost in 2026?
In bulk, crushed stone runs about $25–$60 per cubic yard, pea gravel $30–$60, decomposed granite $35–$75, and river rock $50–$130. Add a delivery fee of roughly $50–$150 per trip, and spreading labor if you hire it out.
Which gravel should I use?
Crushed stone (like
Is bulk or bagged gravel cheaper?
Bulk by a wide margin — a cubic yard in bags means around 36 half-cubic-foot bags at several dollars each, easily 2–3× the bulk price. Bags win only for small jobs where a delivery fee would dominate, or when you can't take a dump-truck drop.
How deep should gravel be?
Paths and decorative cover usually want 2–3 inches. Driveways need 4 inches or more, ideally in two or three compacted layers with larger stone on the bottom. Going too thin is the most common regret — it lets weeds and mud through within a season.
Disclaimer: Estimates are for planning only and reflect typical ranges, not quotes. Actual costs vary with site conditions, design complexity, local permits, and contractor availability. Pricing approach: national averages cross-referenced from public cost guides, adjusted by a state construction cost index — see our methodology.
Price data sources: HomeGuide & LawnStarter 2025–2026 gravel cost guides ($ per cubic yard by type, delivery, spreading labor); Angi & HomeAdvisor gravel and crushed stone ranges; Local aggregate-yard bulk pricing (crushed stone, pea gravel, decomposed granite, river rock). Last updated: June 2026.