gravel prices near me

Gravel prices are $65 per yard on average or about $1 to $3 per square foot, including materials, delivery, and installation. However, you could end up paying anywhere from $20 per yard to $250 per yard, depending on the type of gravel you choose, labor, and more.

Whether you’re going for a neutral, earthy look with brown gravel or opting for warm tones to match your sunflowers, you have endless options. Find out gravel prices below based on the type of rock you choose and whether you plan to handle this project yourself or hire a pro.

Gravel Cost Breakdown

From xeriscaping to adding a water feature, gravel can elevate your landscape. But your gravel installation project cost heavily depends on the type of gravel, the size of the site, and the rates for labor.

Larger sites will cost more, but there are significant savings when purchasing in bulk. Here are the main factors that affect gravel prices.

Type

Gravel prices vary significantly based on the type. Crusher run, for example, one of the least-expensive options, goes for $0.40 to $2 per square foot.

Lava rock, on the other hand, can cost as much as $11 per square foot. Below is a breakdown of the average costs for the most popular types of gravel.

Size

Larger projects can see significant price breaks. For example, pea gravel costs $1 to $3.15 per square foot, while a ton of pea gravel (which covers roughly 100 square feet) only costs between $10 and $50. That’s a savings of around $0.50 to $0.90 a square foot when you buy in bulk.

The average price for a 16-by-28-foot gravel driveway is $1,500, while a 16-by-18-foot gravel patio costs around $1,100. A small 4-by-30-foot walkway will cost around $375 to have installed.

Labor

Professionals will charge around $30 per hour to lay and spread out your gravel. This means you’ll only pay about $30 for one professional to install a walkway, which will typically take under an hour. On the other hand, installing a gravel driveway will cost around $120 if it takes two workers two hours to complete.

Prep

If your site isn’t graded or cleared, you may see additional costs to clear the land and level it out before you can lay the gravel.

Depending on the slope or amount of divots on the site, you might also need to budget extra to cover the cost to level the land, which goes for around $400 for a small patio area. Contact a local yard grading company for a quote.

Additional Costs to Consider

Some gravel deliveries are all-inclusive, but some might charge an additional mileage fee of about $5 per mile to get to the delivery site. Depending on how far you are from the quarry, this could add up to considerable extra costs.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Gravel Yourself?

If you want to forgo the labor costs of about $30 per hour, you can opt-out of professional installation and handle everything yourself. However, while installing gravel doesn’t call for a special skill set, it still requires tough physical labor.

Also, if you’re not equipped with the supplies, it might even cost you more to do the DIY: Large projects call for supplies such as landscaping fabric, a wheelbarrow, hoe, and shovel, plus the cost of renting a compactor.

All in all, it could cost upwards of $250 or more, which often won’t beat the investment of hiring a local gravel driveway company or landscaping company in your area.

Ways to Save Money on Gravel Prices

Aside from buying in bulk, you might be able to save a little extra on your project if you nix the cost of professional installation without committing to the DIY labor. If you know the right way to ask, you can spread gravel yourself without the back-breaking labor of lugging it around (or the cost of the wheelbarrow if you don’t already have one).

Here’s what to do: Ask your gravel delivery driver if they can spread the material for you by moving their dump truck steadily forward as they dump the gravel. It’s good practice to give the driver a cash tip for this service. Not all drivers will do this, and it may not always be possible, but it’s always worth asking.