Pea Gravel Cost Calculator
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Formulas verified against USGS, NRMCA & ASTM primary sources. Methodology · Last updated May 2026
Pea gravel suppliers price by the ton, the cubic yard, or the bag — and rates vary by region. Enter your project dimensions plus the price your supplier quoted and this calculator returns the total project cost so you can budget accurately or compare two quotes side by side.
Cubic Feet
— ft³
Cubic Yards
— yd³
Weight (lbs)
— lb
Weight (tons)
— tons
Bags (50 lb)
— bags
Estimated Cost
—
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Pea Gravel Prices in 2026 — What to Expect
Pea gravel prices vary by region, supplier, and quantity. These are mid-2026 US ranges based on landscape supplier data:
| Buying Unit | Pickup Price | Delivered Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per ton (bulk) | $30–$55 | $48–$95 | Projects above 1 ton — most patios, paths, driveways |
| Per cubic yard (bulk) | $40–$74 | $65–$128 | Same as above — some quarries quote yards not tons |
| Per 50-lb bag (0.5 ft³) | $4.98–$7.50 | n/a — self-transport | Small top-ups under 0.5 cubic yards |
| Per half-ton mini sack | $80–$120 | $120–$180 | Medium projects without full bulk delivery |
| Decorative / premium color | $55–$120/ton | $90–$180/ton | White, polished, Mexican beach pebble |
The delivered price gap is significant. A $32/ton quarry 40 miles away costs more per cubic yard delivered than a $46/ton supplier 8 miles away. Always price delivered cost, not quarry pickup cost, before choosing a supplier.
Worked Example: 14×18 ft Patio at 3 Inches Deep
- Area: 14 × 18 = 252 sq ft
- Volume: 252 × (3 ÷ 12) = 63 cubic feet = 2.33 yd³
- Add 10% waste: 2.33 × 1.10 = 2.56 yd³ to order
- Weight: 2.56 × 1.35 = 3.46 tons
- At $45/ton delivered: 3.46 × $45 = $155.70 material cost
- Sub-base (2 in of #57 stone): ~1.71 yd³ × $38/yd³ = $65
- Landscape fabric (252 sq ft): 252 × $0.45 = $113
- Total DIY material cost: approximately $334
- Same area with contractor at $5/sq ft: 252 × $5 = $1,260 installed
The materials-only vs installed gap is large. Most homeowners find DIY is simple for patios and paths — the installation guide covers every step.
Pea Gravel Cost by Project Size — 2026 Reference
All figures include 10% waste factor. Material cost uses $48/ton delivered. DIY total includes sub-base and fabric. Contractor total at $5/sq ft installed.
| Project | Area | Depth | Tons | Material Cost | DIY Total | Contractor Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small garden path | 30 sq ft | 2 in | 0.37 | $18 | $48 | $150 |
| Standard patio (12×14) | 168 sq ft | 3 in | 2.10 | $101 | $246 | $840 |
| Large patio (16×20) | 320 sq ft | 3 in | 3.99 | $192 | $468 | $1,600 |
| Small driveway (10×20) | 200 sq ft | 4 in | 3.30 | $158 | $408 | $1,000 |
| Two-car driveway (20×40) | 800 sq ft | 4 in | 13.20 | $634 | $1,634 | $4,000 |
| Dog run (8×12) | 96 sq ft | 3 in | 1.20 | $58 | $148 | $480 |
Delivery Costs — What Suppliers Don't Always Tell You
Delivery is where most pea gravel budgets go wrong. Three charges appear on invoices that suppliers often don't mention upfront:
| Charge | Typical Amount | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Flat delivery fee | $75–$250 within 15 miles | Pick up in your own truck for orders under 1 yd³ |
| Per-mile overage | $4–$8 per mile beyond base radius | Choose the nearest supplier, not the cheapest per-ton |
| Minimum load fee | Pay for 3 tons even if you order 1.5 | Ask about minimum load before ordering — adjust project scope or combine orders with a neighbour |
| Fuel surcharge | 10–18% in 2026 | Get written quote — fuel surcharges must be disclosed before delivery |
| Saturday / urgent delivery | +$50–$100 premium | Schedule weekday delivery |
Bulk vs Bagged — The True Cost Comparison
At what project size does bulk delivery beat bags? The crossover is approximately 0.5 cubic yards — about a 10×5 ft path at 3 inches deep.
| Project Size | Bags Cost (at $6/bag) | Bulk Cost (at $65/yd³ delivered) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 yd³ (small top-up) | $81 (13 bags) | $65 + $100 delivery = $165 | Bags win |
| 0.5 yd³ (small path) | $162 (27 bags) | $65 + $100 delivery = $165 | About equal |
| 1 yd³ (medium patio) | $324 (54 bags) | $65 + $100 delivery = $165 | Bulk saves $159 |
| 2 yd³ (large patio) | $648 (108 bags) | $130 + $100 delivery = $230 | Bulk saves $418 |
| 5 yd³ (driveway) | $1,620 (270 bags) | $325 + $100 delivery = $425 | Bulk saves $1,195 |
For projects above 1 cubic yard, bulk delivery saves hundreds of dollars. Use the bags calculator to see the exact bag count for your project.
Five Things That Change Your Pea Gravel Price
- Distance from the quarry. Pea gravel is cheap per pound and heavy per cubic yard — transport dominates the bill on large orders. A quarry 5 miles away vs 40 miles away can mean $30–50/ton difference on delivery alone.
- Color and finish. Standard tan/brown pea gravel is the cheapest. Polished river rock, decorative white, and earth-tone blends carry a 50–200% premium. Premium Mexican beach pebble runs $120–180/ton delivered.
- Season. Prices peak in late spring and early summer when landscaping demand is highest. Buying in October or November typically saves 8–15% on both material and delivery.
- Quantity discount. Most suppliers drop the per-ton rate by 5–15% for orders above 5 tons. If your project is close to a threshold, it may cost less to order slightly more and get the lower per-ton rate.
- Sub-base requirement. A new installation needs a compacted #57 stone base. An existing installation that just needs topping up does not. This single factor doubles the material cost on new projects.
How to Get an Accurate Supplier Quote
When you call a landscape supplier, have these ready:
- Cubic yards and tons — the calculator above gives you both. Give the supplier whichever unit they prefer.
- Delivery address — they need this to quote freight.
- Preferred delivery day — weekday delivery is cheaper than weekend.
- Color preference — standard tan/brown or specific type.
- Access information — gate width, overhead clearance, where to dump. Some suppliers charge extra to place material in a specific spot vs dropping at the kerb.
Always ask for the price delivered and inclusive of all fees. Quotes that exclude delivery look attractive until you realise trucking adds 40–80% to the material cost.
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What People Get Wrong
Four budgeting mistakes that turn a $200 project into a $450 surprise.
Pricing only the pea gravel, not the full installation
Pea gravel material costs $30–55/ton. But a new installation also needs sub-base stone ($25–40/ton), geotextile fabric ($0.35–0.55/sq ft), and edging ($1–3/linear ft). On a 200 sq ft patio, these additions cost $180–280 — more than the pea gravel itself. Budget for the complete system, not just the surface layer.
Using pickup price to compare delivered quotes
A $32/ton supplier 40 miles away becomes $58–72/ton after delivery. A $46/ton supplier 8 miles away stays at $58–62/ton delivered. The cheaper quarry often ends up costing more. Always compare total delivered cost per cubic yard, not the sticker price per ton.
Forgetting disposal costs
Replacing existing sod, stone, or concrete? Add $80–150 for dumpster hire or haul-away. This line item disappears from most online cost guides but appears on every real project invoice. Include it before you start.
Pricing bagged gravel for bulk-sized projects
A 0.5 cu ft bag at Home Depot costs around $5.98 — that's $1,615 per cubic yard. The same cubic yard bulk delivered costs $65–128. For anything above 0.5 cubic yards, bags are not a cost-saving option — they are 5–10 times more expensive per unit of volume.
Related Calculators
Calculator
Coverage Calculator
Get cubic yards and tons first — then bring those numbers back here to price the project.
CalculatorWeight Calculator
Suppliers quote per ton — convert your project dimensions to tonnage before calling.
CalculatorBags Calculator
Compare a bulk quote to the bagged-store equivalent for your exact project size.
Related Guides
- Full 2026 Pea Gravel Cost Guide — Regional Pricing, Delivery, and Bulk vs Bags
- How to Install Pea Gravel — DIY Step-by-Step to Reduce Labor Cost
- Pea Gravel vs Crushed Stone — Cost and Performance Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does pea gravel cost per ton in 2026?
Bulk pea gravel costs $30–55 per ton at the quarry in 2026. Delivered prices run $48–95 per ton depending on distance, fuel surcharges, and minimum loads. Always get the delivered price — not just the quarry pickup rate.
How much does pea gravel cost per cubic yard?
A cubic yard of pea gravel weighs approximately 1.35 tons, so bulk yard pricing runs $40–74 picked up and $65–128 delivered. Some suppliers price by the yard; others by the ton. Use 1 cubic yard = 1.35 tons to convert between quotes.
How much does a 50-lb bag of pea gravel cost?
Bagged pea gravel costs $4.98–7.50 per 0.5 cubic foot bag at home improvement retailers. That works out to $269–405 per cubic yard — 5 to 6 times the bulk delivered price. Bags only make sense for projects under 0.5 cubic yards.
What is the cheapest way to buy pea gravel?
Pick up bulk at the quarry in your own truck or trailer. You avoid the $75–250 delivery fee. On a 2-ton order, skipping delivery saves $37–125 per ton. A three-quarter-ton pickup safely carries about 0.75 cubic yards per load.
How much does pea gravel delivery cost?
Delivery runs $75–250 flat fee within 15 miles, plus $4–8 per additional mile. Minimum load fees — where you pay for 3 tons even if you only need 1.5 — are common. Always ask for a fully itemised quote before ordering.
What is the installed cost of pea gravel per square foot?
DIY installation costs $1.00–1.80 per square foot in materials only. Hiring a contractor costs $3.50–6.00 per square foot including sub-base, fabric, edging, and labor. A 200 square foot patio with a contractor runs $700–1,200 total.
Why is my delivered quote higher than expected?
Three reasons: minimum-load fees, fuel surcharges (10–18% in 2026), and per-mile charges beyond the base delivery radius. Ask suppliers for an itemised quote showing each charge separately before you commit.
How much does pea gravel installation labor cost?
Contractors charge $35–60 per hour or $1.50–3.00 per square foot for installation only, excluding materials. A 200 square foot patio typically takes 6–10 labor hours depending on base preparation requirements.
What hidden costs should I budget for?
Sub-base stone ($25–40/ton), geotextile landscape fabric ($0.35–0.55/sq ft), edging ($1–3/linear ft), sales tax, and disposal of the existing surface ($80–150). Add 25–30% to your bare material cost to cover these items.
Is pea gravel cheaper than concrete or pavers?
Yes. Installed pea gravel costs $4–6 per square foot. Concrete runs $8–15 per square foot. Pavers cost $15–30 per square foot. Pea gravel has the lowest upfront cost but requires annual top-up and more edging maintenance than hard surfaces.
Does pea gravel price change by season?
Yes. Prices drop 5–10% in late fall and winter when landscaping demand falls. Spring and early summer are peak pricing periods. Buying in October or November typically gets the lowest delivered rate of the year.
How do I compare two pea gravel quotes accurately?
Convert both quotes to cost per cubic yard delivered. If one supplier quotes per ton and another per yard, use 1 cubic yard = 1.35 tons to convert. Add all delivery fees, fuel surcharges, and minimum load charges to both quotes before comparing.
Sources & Methodology
Pricing data: 2026 US landscape supplier pricing ranges from regional supplier surveys. Material prices vary by region — verify with your local quarry.
Formula: Total Cost = Volume (yd³) × 1.35 tons/yd³ × price/ton. Or Volume × price/yd³. Or bags × price/bag.
Verified against:
- USDA NRCS Cost Estimating Guide — materials pricing for construction aggregates
- USGS Aggregates Statistics — density and quantity reference
Last reviewed: May 12, 2026 · Full methodology