How Much Does Pea Gravel Cost in 2025?
Installing pea gravel costs an average of $370
Installing pea gravel costs an average of $370 for a 200-square-foot project, with prices ranging from $100 to $700.
The total price for your project depends on factors including the pea gravel type, quantity, project type, and local labor rates.
Materials alone cost between $15 and $75 per cubic yard, depending on the type of gravel you choose.
Colored pea gravel costs $20 to $50 more per ton than plain-colored options.
Hiring a professional installer for your pea gravel project ensures proper site preparation, even distribution, and long-lasting stability.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
You can expect to pay between $100 and $700 —or an average of $370 —for your typical 200-square-foot pea gravel project. Materials alone cost between $15 and $75 per cubic yard, depending on the type and quantity you purchase. By budgeting appropriately and considering professional gravel installation, you can ensure a smooth, even distribution with long-lasting results. Plus, pea gravel's low-maintenance nature means you’ll save on upkeep costs over time.
Pea Gravel Cost Factors
There are several factors that affect the price of your pea gravel project, including the type of gravel you choose, how much you need, labor costs, and delivery fees.
Type
Colored pea gravel costs an average of $20 to $50 more per ton than plain gravel. That means you'll pay around $30 to $100 per ton or $40 to $70 per ton if you purchase 10 or more. Consider contacting a local gravel pro to learn more about the varieties available near you.
| Gravel Type | Cost Range per Cubic Yd. |
|---|---|
| Traditional | $25–$55 |
| Colored | $45–$80 |
| Crushed limestone | $30–$55 |
| River rock | $33–$49 |
| Quartz | $70–$80 |
| Decomposed granite | $30–$50 |
Quantity
The amount of pea gravel you buy determines your total cost. Many retailers offer discounted rates when you buy in bulk. Here's what you can expect to pay based on quantity.
| Quantity | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Ton | $10–$50 |
| 25-ton truckload | $250–$500 |
| 0.5-cubic-foot bag | $4–$6 |
Ton
The average price range for a single ton of pea gravel is between $10 and $50. For colored pea gravel, budget an extra $20 to $50 per ton.
Truckload Delivery
A truckload of pea gravel costs between $250 and $500, depending on the type of gravel you purchase. Truckloads carry an average of 25 tons of gravel, which equates to a price of $10 to $20 per ton.
Bag
A bag of pea gravel costs $4 to $6 on average. Bags typically carry enough gravel to cover 0.5 cubic feet. You can find bags of pea gravel at your local landscaping or home improvement store.
Bulk Discounts
Purchasing pea gravel in large quantities can significantly lower your total cost. Many local landscaping companies offer bulk pricing for bigger outdoor projects like driveways, walkways, and garden beds. Buying in bulk also reduces the number of deliveries needed, saving time and transportation costs.
Project Type
Along with the raw material cost of pea gravel, the type of project plays a big role in calculating your overall budget. Due to varying depth requirements, certain projects cost more to cover the same area. For example, driveways need a depth of at least six inches to accommodate heavy vehicles, whereas walkways and garden paths only require two to three inches.
Here are some estimates for these common projects:
Driveway: $3 per square foot
Pathway: $250
Landscaping: $15 to $75 per cubic yard
Labor
The cost to hire a local pea gravel installer ranges from $13 to $65 per hour. Most companies will determine their rate depending on the size and complexity of your project. You may also have to account for additional costs to level your yard, which ranges from $50 to $100 per hour.
Delivery
The more gravel you need and the farther it travels, the higher your total cost. The average delivery charge for a truckload of gravel starts at about $5 per mile, meaning the closer you live to a quarry or supplier, the more you’ll save on delivery costs.
Many local gravel delivery services require a minimum order ranging from one cubic yard to 20 tons. They may offer free delivery if you meet minimum order size requirements if you're within a certain mile radius.
Landscaping
Depending on how you’re using your pea gravel, investing in landscape design services may be worthwhile. Professional landscapers can assess whether you need excavating before laying the gravel and determine the best depth, edging materials, and drainage solutions for your project. They can also help recommend layout and color options to achieve your desired results.
Budgeting for Pea Gravel Installation
To make your pea gravel project more budget-friendly, consider the following cost-saving measures:
Opt for plain pea gravel if you're flexible on color—it’s more budget-friendly.
Calculate your gravel needs accurately to avoid extra delivery fees.
Buy directly from landscaping suppliers instead of home improvement stores for better prices.
If possible, haul the gravel yourself to save on delivery costs.
Consider spreading the gravel yourself with a rake to save on labor charges.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
To calculate how much pea gravel you need for your project, multiply the length, width, and depth of the area you want to cover to find the volume in cubic feet. Then, divide that number by 27 to convert it to cubic yards to determine the amount of pea gravel you need.
A yard of pea gravel weighs about 1.3 tons or 2,600 pounds. Keep in mind that wet gravel weighs more than dry, and different types of gravel can vary in weight. For example, due to its density, river rock weighs significantly more than crushed stone and pea gravel.
The ideal depth for pea gravel depends on the type and size of your project. You'll need at least two to three inches for walkways and patios and a minimum of six inches for driveways to support heavy vehicles and prevent shifting over time. Aim for a depth of three to four inches in decorative garden beds or drainage areas.
Pea gravel is attractive, versatile, and low-maintenance. It provides excellent drainage, making it ideal for pathways, driveways, and garden beds. On the downside, its sharp texture isn't ideal for bare feet, and it can be challenging to weed or remove once installed. It can also shift underfoot without proper edging, creating an uneven surface.
Alternative landscaping materials you can use instead of pea gravel include wood chips, decomposed granite, crushed stone, pebbles, quartz, mulch, sand, and river rock. These materials offer different aesthetics, performance, and costs, so it’s important to do your research to determine which one best fits your landscape design and budget.
Many homeowners choose pea gravel because it requires minimal upkeep compared to other landscaping materials. You'll need to rake it occasionally to redistribute the stones and maintain an even surface. Pros also recommend installing weed barrier fabric beneath the gravel to prevent unwanted growth, although some weeds may still appear over time.
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