How Much Do Landscaping Stones and River Rocks Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

River rocks and landscaping stones cost between $300 and $1,600 for delivery and installation, with most homeowners paying an average of $700. Prices can range from as little as $150 to as much as $2,400, depending on factors like material type, color, size, shape, and finish. Building a landscape with river rocks and stones is aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective for various projects, including stone and gravel driveways, patios and walkways, and retaining walls. 

Before you dive into your landscaping project, it's helpful to understand how much it might cost. Hiring a professional for river rock installation ensures safe, high-quality results and accommodates heavy material delivery.

Landscaping Rock & Stone Cost by Type

Depending on your chosen material, you can expect to pay between $40 and $800 per ton for landscaping rocks and stones. Factors such as the rock color, size, shape, and finish will affect the price. You'll pay less per unit when you buy in bulk, so consider purchasing all you need at once to save money.

River Rock

River rocks cost between $100 and $800 per ton, depending on size, shape, color, and whether they're polished. If you're looking for polished river rocks, expect to pay toward the higher end of the price range, while natural, unpolished rocks will be closer to the lower end. You'll also save money buying in bulk, as smaller quantities cost more per unit.

Lava Rock

Lava rocks cost around $80 to $240 per ton or $25 to $65 per cubic yard. Since lava rock is lighter than other landscaping rocks, delivery, and installation are less pricey. This red or black, porous material takes up space without the weight of denser rocks, so you'll get more coverage per ton compared to heavier options.

Bull Rock

On average, bull rock costs between $70 and $110 per ton, or $20 to $30 per cubic yard. These rocks range from two to five inches in diameter and come in neutral colors like brown, tan, and beige. You'll often find bull rock behind retaining walls and in drainage ditches.

Boulders

Landscaping boulders cost between $100 and $600 per ton or five per cubic yard. Larger, heavier boulders will cost more than large stones or small boulders. If you plan to add a small boulder to your yard, expect to pay around $250 for delivery and upwards of $2,400 for large or multiple boulders to create a monolithic, stylish element. Remember, size isn't the only factor—some boulders have a higher density than others, making them pricier even if they're smaller than other options.

Riprap

Riprap costs between $35 and $250 per ton. You'll pay on the low end for small riprap (six inches to two feet) and on the high end for larger pieces (two feet or more). Grouting is another key factor affecting cost—cement binds the stones together when you grout riprap to minimize gaps and shifting. Riprap consists of large rocks that interlock along sloped land to prevent erosion, often used to line the banks of bodies of water.

Laying Riprap

Landscaping pros charge between $50 and $100 per hour to lay riprap. Your exact cost will depend on the size and difficulty of the installation. Be sure to consult a landscaping professional near you for a personalized quote.

Other Landscaping Stones

There are many other landscaping stones you might consider for your project. Some of the most common options include:

• Pea gravel costs between $30 and $100 per ton, or $15 to $75 per cubic yard. This gravel may bring back memories of childhood playgrounds.

• Decomposed granite costs $40 to $80 per ton or $40 to $225 per cubic yard.

• Crushed stones, rocks, and shells cost anywhere from $20 to $150 per ton or $20 to $50 per cubic yard. If you're constructing a gravel driveway, you may be interested in this option.

Cost to Install Landscape Rock

Professional landscaping contractors charge for ground preparation and installation. On average, it takes about two hours to place one ton of stone, and you can expect to pay $50 to $150 per hour for labor (not including delivery). Your cost to deliver and install rocks will range from $340 to $1,335, with an average of $830. The exact price depends on the size of the stones and the terrain in your yard.

Removal Costs

If you ever need to remove large landscaping stones from your property, you can expect to pay $40 to $100 per cubic foot for excavation and removal. The cost depends on the job's complexity—some projects are more labor-intensive and may require larger vehicles, excavators, dumpsters, and additional removal fees.

How to Calculate Your Landscape Rock Needs

To calculate how much landscape rock you’ll need, use a landscaping rock calculator or do the math by hand. If you do it manually, you can calculate the amount of rock you’ll need in cubic yards and tons.

Calculating Rock Needs in Cubic Yards

Selling by cubic yard or volume is a standard method for pricing landscaping rocks. This method gives you the most accurate picture of how much rock you'll need to fill your space, but it doesn't account for weight. To calculate how many cubic yards you need, follow these steps:

1. Measure the length and width of your landscaping area in feet.

2. Decide the desired depth in inches, then convert it to feet by dividing by 12.

3. Multiply the length, width, and depth to get the number of cubic feet.

4. Convert cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27.

Example: If your area is 10 feet long by 10 feet wide, and you want a depth of two inches, divide the depth by 12 to get approximately 0.17 feet. Multiply 10 x 10 x 0.17 to get 17 cubic feet. Then, divide 17 by 27 to get 0.63 cubic yards.

Calculating Rock Needs in Tons

Some companies price stones by weight (tons) rather than volume. Calculating both tons and cubic yards is a good idea to ensure the material fits within your vehicle's weight limits. To calculate tons, follow the same steps for cubic yards, then multiply the total cubic yards by 1.4.

Example: Multiply 0.63 cubic yards by 1.4 to get 0.882 tons.

Remember, wet material weighs more than dry material. Lava rock, decomposed granite, and crushed stone hold onto moisture the most, so you'll get the most for your money if you buy during the dry season. Also, add 10% to your calculations for any material that might spill during transportation.

Note that most landscaping materials should be at a depth of three inches or a 1/4 foot. The following chart accounts for the standard three-inch depth.

How to Landscape With Rocks

When it comes to landscaping with rocks, the possibilities are endless. Don't hesitate to use a variety of sizes and types to achieve your dream landscape. From stepping stones to gravel driveways and patios to impressive boulders, here are a few ways to style your yard using river rocks and landscaping stones.

Stepping Stones

Stepping stones offer a whimsical look to your yard in a wallet-friendly way. Since the stones are flat, their weight doesn’t increase delivery prices as much as thicker boulders. You can even turn stepping stones into a walkway by adding low-price, smaller rocks around them to widen the path and make it walkable. Consider adding pea gravel, gravel, or river rocks around the perimeters of the stepping stones.

Crushed Stone Driveways and Patios

Gravel is one of the most budget-friendly landscaping rocks available. If you hope to cover a large surface area like a patio or driveway, you’re in luck. Crushed gravel is a great way to pave these larger areas; it also looks nice and helps prevent water runoff.

Mulching

Though wood may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of mulch, decomposed granite, and lava rock both work as mulch. Decomposed granite is ideal for garden beds because it breaks down and adds minerals and nutrients to the soil and surrounding plants while keeping weeds at bay. Lava rocks might not add nutrients to your soil, but they prevent weeds from growing and hold onto the water with their porous features, making them ideal for xeriscaping.

Boulder Features

For a yard that stands out, you can’t go wrong with boulders. Whether you’re hoping to add a few accent features as a focal point or want to bring out the dimensions of your garden or water elements, add boulders for a natural aesthetic.

DIY vs. Hiring a Landscaping Pro

Deciding whether to DIY your project or turn to a pro depends on whether you have the tools, equipment, and experience to complete the task. You may be able to complete smaller projects yourself. It's best to hire a landscaping professional for larger projects, as you’ll need some heavy-lifting machinery to complete the project.

Unless you have a truck or trailer equipped to carry heavy loads, you'll have to pay for the price of delivering your material in large quantities. Furthermore, transporting and installing substantial amounts of rock is difficult and potentially dangerous. Hire a landscaping contractor near you to ensure the job installation is safe and meets high-quality standards.

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.