True Cost Guide Landscape Install Pea Gravel

How Much Does Pea Gravel Cost in 2024?

Typical Range:

$170 - $1,000

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated August 23, 2024

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Highlights

Pea gravel costs an average of $370 to cover 200 square feet.
Pea gravel can be sold by the bag, cubic yard, ton, or truckload.
Expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $80 for one cubic yard of plain pea gravel.
Colored pea gravel costs more than standard pea gravel.
Factor in labor and delivery costs when budgeting for your pea gravel project.
Pea gravel is attractive, versatile, low maintenance, and offers excellent drainage.

A 200-square-foot project with pea gravel costs between $170 and $1,000, with an average price of about $370. That’s the typical cost to cover a single-car driveway, including labor and materials. The cost of pea gravel per cubic yard drops considerably for larger quantities, which you’ll need for bigger landscaping projects like playgrounds.

The general range for one cubic yard of plain pea gravel is about $15 to $80, with a ton going for about $10 to $55. For colored pea gravel, budget an extra $20 to $60 per ton.

Average Pea Gravel Costs

Average Cost	$370
High Cost	$1,000
Low Cost	$170

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Pea Gravel Cost Factors

The cost of pea gravel for your home improvement or landscaping project varies based on a number of factors.

Cost by Type

Colored pea gravel costs an additional $20 to $50 per ton on top of the regular cost. This is equivalent to around $30 to $100 per ton or about $40 to $70 per ton if you buy 10 tons or more. Ask a local gravel paving pro about the varieties of pea gravel available in your area.

Bulk Discounts

Buying large quantities at a time typically reduces your total pea gravel cost. The price of pea gravel drops to about $20 per ton if you buy at least 10 tons. Buying pea gravel in quantities for larger outdoor projects can be done through a local landscaping company. The most important price variables are the geographic location and distance from the quarry or distributor.

Installation Costs by 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.

Here are some estimates for these common projects:

Driveway: $3 per square foot
Pathway: $1 per square foot
Landscaping: $15 to $75 per cubic yard

Labor and Delivery Costs

Labor and delivery fees contribute to your final pea gravel cost. This primarily depends on the quantity of gravel and the transportation distance. The closer you live to the quarry or distribution center, the less you’ll pay for gravel delivery costs.

Local gravel delivery services usually require a minimum order, which may range anywhere from one cubic yard to 20 tons. They may offer free delivery within a certain mile radius if you meet minimum order size requirements. If that’s not an option, the delivery charge for a truckload of gravel often starts at about $5 per mile.

Landscaping Costs

Depending on how you’re using your pea gravel, it may be worthwhile to invest in landscape design services in your area. Professionals can assess whether you may need excavating before laying the gravel. They can also help you achieve your dream aesthetic by recommending layout and color options.

Pea Gravel Pricing

When budgeting for your total landscape installation cost, the cost of pea gravel varies based on how much you purchase at a time. Here’s what you might pay for these amounts.

Quantity	Price
Ton of Plain Pea Gravel	$10–$50
Ton of Colored Pea Gravel	$30–$100
25-Ton Truckload	$250–$500
0.5-Cubic-Foot Bag	$4–$8

Pea Gravel Cost per Ton

The average price range for a single ton of pea gravel is between $10 and $50. Colored pea gravel costs an additional $20 to $50 per ton.

Pea Gravel Cost by Truckload Delivery

A truckload of pea gravel costs between $250 and $500. Truckloads typically carry 25 tons of gravel. This equates to a price of $10 to $20 per ton.

Pea Gravel Price per Bag

A bag of pea gravel costs about $4 to $8 on average. Bags typically carry enough gravel to cover 0.5 cubic feet. You can usually find bags of pea gravel at your local landscaping or home improvement store.

Budgeting for Pea Gravel Installation

You can save money with several cost-saving measures for your pea gravel installation project:

If you’re not particular about color and composition, plain pea gravel is cheaper.
Accurately calculate how much pea gravel you need so you won’t need to request multiple deliveries.
Buy pea gravel directly from landscaping suppliers rather than home improvement stores.
Skip the delivery costs by hauling the pea gravel in your own truck, if possible.
Save on labor costs by spreading the pea gravel yourself using a rigid rake and push broom.

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.

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FAQs

How do I calculate how much pea gravel I need?

Calculate the number of square feet you need to cover in pea gravel by multiplying the length, width, and depth of the area. Then, divide that number by 27 to find out how many cubic yards of pea gravel you’ll need for your project.

Use this pea gravel calculator to figure out how much you need.

How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?

One cubic yard of pea gravel weighs about 1.3 tons or 2,600 pounds. This weight may vary based on the size and composition of the gravel. Pea gravel is a porous material, which means it can absorb water. Wet gravel weighs more than dry gravel. Different rocks used in pea gravel also have different densities, which also affect weight.

How deep should pea gravel be?

This depends on the project. For walkways and patios, go for a minimum depth of two to three inches. In general, a gravel driveway costs more because it requires a minimum depth of at least six inches. This can double or triple your cost on a per-square-foot basis for the amount of area you need to cover in pea gravel.

What are the pros and cons of using pea gravel?

Pea gravel’s biggest strength is simplicity—it’s an attractive, versatile ground cover that doesn’t require any major maintenance or watering. It also provides excellent drainage, which is a plus for areas with heavy rainfall.

The most notable con of pea gravel is that it’s sharp to the touch, making it unsuitable for kneeling or walking on without shoes. It can also be difficult to weed and hard to separate from the soil if you ever want to have it removed.