Gravel, Crushed Stone & Pea Gravel: Which One Does Your Project Need?

The four types most projects use

Descriptions come from HomeGuide's gravel pricing guide and Gravel Monkey's guide to #57 stone; prices are the bulk ranges from our price data (collected September 2026). The number in names like #57 refers to a standard size grading (ASTM D448) that quarries use, so a #57 from one quarry should be similar in size to a #57 from another.

Rounded vs crushed: the difference that matters

Pea gravel is naturally smooth — HomeGuide describes it as generally 3/8 inch and “naturally smooth.” Those rounded stones feel good underfoot and look soft in a garden, but round stones roll over one another. That makes pea gravel a poor choice anywhere you need a firm, stable surface for cars or a slab.

Crushed stone is broken by machines, so every piece has sharp faces. Gravel Monkey notes that #57's angular pieces “lock together instead of rolling underfoot,” and that because it has no fine particles, water drains through it quickly. That combination is why angular stone is the usual pick for drainage trenches and driveway layers.

When you want fines: crusher run and stone dust

Crusher run — also sold as #411, quarry process, road stone or dense-grade aggregate — mixes crushed rock with stone dust. The dust fills the gaps between larger stones, so the layer compacts into something close to solid. HomeGuide lists it as one of the cheapest options at about $24–$48 per ton.

Stone dust (screenings) is the fine end of the same process. HomeGuide lists its uses as a base below patios and pavers, a final base for horse barns and filling spaces between pavers. The trade-off for all those fines: they hold water longer and don't drain like clean stone.

Two more you'll see at the yard: road base and river rock

Road base goes by many names — HomeGuide lists “rock base,” “road rock,” “aggregate base” and “3/4″ minus,” among others. Like crusher run, it is a graded mix that includes fines, so it compacts well and is used under driveways and roads. HomeGuide prices it at $18–$31 per ton.

River rock is at the decorative end. HomeGuide describes it as polished enough for bare feet and excellent for backyard landscaping, and it costs the most of the common options at $45–$130 per ton, depending on size and color. Because it is rounded like pea gravel, it shares the same weakness: it moves under weight and isn't a structural base.

Names vary by region and supplier, so when in doubt describe the job — “a base for a gravel driveway” or “stone for a French drain” — and ask what the yard stocks for it. Look at a sample pile if you can: size, shape and color differ between quarries even under the same name.

Matching the stone to the job

• Garden paths and play areas: pea gravel for comfort, with edging to keep it in place.
• French drains and drainage around foundations: clean, angular stone such as #57 that lets water through.
• Driveway or shed base: compacted crusher run is common for a firm base layer; some builders add a clean stone layer on top.
• Leveling under pavers or flagstone: stone dust or the base material your paver manufacturer specifies.
• Under a concrete slab: follow the slab or product instructions and your local code; see our concrete calculator for the slab itself.

These are common practices, not engineering specifications. For driveways, retaining walls and anything carrying vehicles, follow local requirements or a contractor's design.

How much do you need?

Gravel is sold by the ton in bulk, so you need two steps: volume, then weight. HomeGuide says one cubic yard contains 1.4 to 1.5 tons of stone; supplier figures range from about 1.35 to 1.7 tons per yard for crushed stone and 1.25 to 1.6 for pea gravel.

Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard (about 1.4)

If the stone will be compacted, order a little extra; our gravel calculator adds 10% by default and lets you set your supplier's weight per yard.

Ordering mistakes to avoid

• Mixing up tons and yards. Quarries usually sell by the ton and landscape yards often by the cubic yard. A yard of stone weighs about 1.4 tons, so “3 yards” and “3 tons” are very different orders.
• Measuring loose depth for a compacted layer. A base that must end up 4 inches thick after tamping needs more than 4 inches of loose stone. Plan extra material for any layer you'll compact.
• Guessing the weight per yard. Wet stone and different rock types weigh more or less. Ask the supplier what one of their yards weighs and use that number.
• Ignoring delivery minimums. A small order can cost more in delivery than in stone. Check whether a slightly larger order qualifies for free delivery, or whether bags are cheaper for a small job.
• Forgetting where it's going. A dump truck drops the whole load in one spot. Pick a place close to the project that won't damage a lawn or block a driveway, and have wheelbarrows ready.

Bags or a truckload?

A 0.5 cubic foot bag averaged $6.48 in our price check, which works out to about $350 per cubic yard — several times the bulk price. But bulk comes with delivery: HomeGuide lists $10–$25 per ton, sometimes free with a 5-ton minimum within 5 miles, plus $10 per mile beyond. For a few bags around a downspout, buy bags; for a path or a base, get a delivery quote. Each bag is only about 52 lb of stone at 1.4 tons per yard, so a ton is roughly 39 bags.

Sources

• HomeGuide — Gravel prices accessed 2026-09-16 · page dated 2025-12-19
• Gravel Monkey — What is #57 stone? accessed 2026-09-17 · page dated 2026-08-17
• Angi — Pea gravel cost accessed 2026-09-16
• Gravel Monkey — Crushed stone prices accessed 2026-09-16
• Stone Center — Stone calculator accessed 2026-09-16
• Select Sand & Gravel — Crushed stone weight per yard accessed 2026-09-16
• The Home Depot — Bagged pea pebbles accessed 2026-09-16
• The Home Depot — Paver base accessed 2026-09-16
• Ace Hardware — QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel 50 lb accessed 2026-09-16