Gravel Cost Calculator | Free Construction Calculators

Gravel cost estimation encompasses material pricing, delivery logistics, installation labor, and site preparation expenses that collectively determine total project budgets for driveways, pathways, drainage systems, and decorative landscaping applications. Understanding price structures for various gravel types enables informed material selection balancing functional requirements, aesthetic preferences, and budget constraints. Gravel pricing varies significantly by material type, regional availability, quarry distance, and market demand with basic crushed stone and bank gravel ($30-45 per cubic yard) providing economical solutions for functional applications like driveway bases and drainage layers, mid-tier materials including pea gravel and limestone ($45-55/yard) offering attractive appearance for pathways and landscaping beds, and premium decorative materials such as river rock, granite chips, and lava rock ($60-90/yard) delivering distinctive aesthetics for feature applications and high-visibility areas. Delivery fees typically comprise base charges ($75-150) covering truck and operator costs plus mileage rates ($2-3 per mile) compensating for fuel and time, making supplier proximity a significant cost factor especially for smaller projects where delivery fees can exceed material costs.

Material selection requires balancing functional performance, aesthetic appeal, and cost constraints specific to each application. Crushed stone and crushed limestone excel for driveways, parking areas, and base layers due to angular shapes that interlock and compact tightly, providing excellent load-bearing capacity and drainage at economical pricing ($35-45/yard). Pea gravel offers rounded smooth stones ideal for pathways, play areas, and decorative beds where comfortable walking surface and attractive appearance justify moderate pricing ($40-50/yard). River rock provides premium aesthetics with natural smooth stones in varied colors perfect for dry creek beds, decorative accents, and feature landscaping worth the higher cost ($60-75/yard) for visual impact applications. Specialty materials including lava rock ($70-90/yard) offer unique colors and lightweight properties for container gardens and xeriscaping. Delivery economics create breakpoints where small projects favor bagged gravel ($4-7 per 0.5 cubic foot bag) eliminating delivery fees, while projects exceeding 1-2 cubic yards clearly benefit from bulk delivery despite $100-200 total delivery costs due to dramatically lower per-yard material pricing.

Installation costs and site preparation add $15-35 per square foot to total project expenses depending on scope and complexity. Professional gravel spreading and compaction typically costs $10-20 per cubic yard, providing proper depth consistency, mechanical compaction, and quality finish worth the expense for driveways and critical drainage applications. Site preparation including excavation, grading, and base compaction runs $5-15 per square foot for driveway and patio applications requiring stable sub-base. Landscape fabric installation ($0.50-1.50/sq ft) prevents weed growth and separates gravel from underlying soil, extending project longevity and reducing maintenance. Edge restraints including plastic or metal borders ($3-8 per linear foot) contain gravel and maintain clean lines for pathways and beds. Understanding these additional costs enables comprehensive budget development - a 500 square foot gravel patio might cost $300-450 for materials and delivery (2-3 yards gravel) but $750-1,500 total including excavation, base preparation, fabric, and installation, making labor and preparation significant budget components often exceeding material costs for complex projects.