How Much Does Pea Gravel Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $170 - $560
Installing pea gravel costs an average of $370. Depending on the installation area size and the color and size of the gravel, most homeowners spend between $170 and $560.
You can expect to pay between $170 and $560—or an average of $370—for your typical 200-square-foot pea gravel costs. Materials alone cost around $25 to $80 per cubic yard when you lay pea gravel yourself. If you’re looking for a drought-friendly landscaping rock with simplified maintenance, pea gravel might just be your dream solution. The smooth, rocky substance is an excellent option for high-traffic areas like walkways, patios, and driveways and is available in different colors and styles.
- Average
- $370
- Low end
- $100
- high end
- $700
Pea Gravel Cost Factors
The above numbers can help you estimate the cost of pea gravel, but a few factors could affect whether you spend more or less than the average homeowner.
Size
Hands down, the size of your pea gravel project will have the largest impact on the cost. Costs can range anywhere from just $85 to upwards of $5,000 with labor, depending on the size of your project. The size of the area affects delivery, installation, and—of course—materials. Here are some stats to keep in mind.
Materials and installation: $25–$80 per cu. yd.
Materials and installation: $0.85–$5 per sq. ft.
Materials alone: $15–$75 per cu. yd.
Materials alone: $0.50–$1.50 per sq. ft.
| Project Size | Average Material Cost | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq. ft. | $50–$150 | $85–$500 |
| 200 sq. ft. | $100–$300 | $170–$1,000 |
| 300 sq. ft. | $150–$450 | $250–$1,500 |
| 400 sq. ft. | $200–$600 | $350–$2,000 |
| 500 sq. ft. | $250–$750 | $425–$2,500 |
| 600 sq. ft. | $300–$900 | $500–$3,000 |
| 700 sq. ft. | $350–$1,050 | $600–$3,500 |
| 800 sq. ft. | $400–$1,200 | $675–$4,000 |
| 900 sq. ft. | $450–$1,350 | $775–$4,500 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $500–$1,500 | $850–$5,000 |
Calculating how much pea gravel you need comes down to the area you have to cover and the depth of the gravel. Most projects require between 1 and 6 inches of pea gravel to distribute the weight of everyday traffic. While your landscaper will do the calculations for you, estimating costs or buying in bulk yourself requires a bit of math.
Keep in mind that each cubic yard of pea gravel covers about 324 square feet of space at 1 inch deep. If you need to cover a 200-square-foot area with 4 inches of pea gravel, divide 324 by four to find that 1 cubic yard covers 81 square feet. When you divide 200 square feet by 81, you'll learn that you need about 2.5 cubic yards of pea gravel.
Type of Gravel
One of the most significant cost factors is the type of gravel you choose. You might be surprised to learn that you can choose from several different pea gravel types. Expect to pay more for shaped pea gravel or colorful gravel, the latter of which tends to cost around $20 to $50 per ton more than traditional pea gravel. You can even purchase pea gravel that glows in the dark.
However, the rough-cut stone tends to be the most cost-efficient. The cost of decomposed granite, for example, is a cost-effective rock used in many applications. Here’s a breakdown of gravel prices by type.
| Gravel Type | Average Cost Range per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| Traditional Pea Gravel | $25–$55 |
| Colored Pea Gravel | $45–$80 |
| Crushed Limestone | $30–$55 |
| River Rock | $33–$49 |
| Quartz | $70–$80 |
| Decomposed Granite | $30–$50 |
Pea Gravel Supplier
Some suppliers charge more for pea gravel just because they price things differently. You’ll likely pay more if you purchase through a local store than if you contact a wholesaler. Hiring a local gravel delivery pro to provide and install the pea gravel may cost more but tends to be the most convenient.
Delivery Costs
Depending on where you live and your home’s distance from the gravel supplier, delivery costs will vary quite a bit. But no matter your location, you should expect a minimum of $5 per mile for pea gravel delivery.
Labor Costs
If you have a larger project and want to hire a nearby professional, you will need to factor in the cost of labor, which is between $13 and $65 per hour. Additionally, the labor cost to level a yard ranges from $50 to $100 per hour, while the cost to clear the land ranges from $110 to $250 per hour.
Prep
Even though pea gravel is a permeable driveway material, landscapers may need to level the ground below your pea gravel installation or add a base layer to manage drainage and support the weight of traffic. For example, when installing a gravel driveway, a rock base costs about $0.95 per square foot. Meanwhile, regrading your yard costs anywhere from $1 to $2 per square foot, or $200 to $400 for a 200-square-foot space.
Permits
While plenty of landscaping projects do not require permits, major installations such as installing a driveway will. The cost of permits for outdoor projects ranges anywhere from $250 to $2,000, so be sure to ask your team if they can pull permits for you before starting.
Cost of Pea Gravel by Project
Your project’s area is the biggest price influence, and you should expect it to vary based on your location and how much gravel your project requires. All projects can take about a full day to complete, give or take a few hours. Give yourself a full weekend if you have a large space. Pros, however, can usually knock out your project in a day or so.
1 Car Driveway
Pea gravel costs around $1 per square foot in materials and $3 per square foot with labor on average. A single-car driveway averages 240 square feet, so expect to pay between $250 and $725, on materials and labor, depending on your cost of living and labor rates near you. Remember, too, that you need about 6 inches of depth since your driveway receives frequent use from heavy vehicles.
2 Car Driveway
The average two-car driveway is around 480 square feet, meaning you’ll spend an average of $925, or between $400 and $1,450, to pave your driveway in pea gravel.
3 Car Driveway
A typical three-car driveway is 960 square feet. Anticipate spending between $950 and $2,900, or $1,900 on average to lay pea gravel for your driveway.
Keep in mind that pea gravel may not be the best type of gravel for driveways. The best gravel for driveways is crushed stone. The small, round pebbles can make it hard for vehicles to gain traction, and the gravel is more prone to shifting over time. However, it is a more affordable option that can be mixed with other aggregates to prevent shifting.
Pathway
For a 4-by-20-foot walkway, you’re looking at spending around $80 in materials alone, or $250 with labor. Pathways can come in any width or length, but most pathways need to be at least four feet wide. Pea gravel pathways are one of the most cost-effective options. They require little maintenance, too, since foot traffic is easier on them than cars on driveways.
Landscaping
There’s no single definition for landscaping with pea gravel, so the true cost comes down to size, amount of pea gravel, and labor costs if you’re hiring a pro. So, if pea gravel costs $15 to $75 per cubic yard and you need 10 cubic yards, expect to pay between $150 and $750 in total. However, don’t forget to factor in delivery costs and labor if you’re not DIYing.
Playground
From start to finish, the cost of building a playground averages just under $500. In addition to your swing set, however, you'll need about 4 inches of pea gravel, which will cost an additional $230 on average. The price may increase if you also need to level the ground or add a base layer of gravel for extra support.
Pool Deck
Pool decks range in size, with smaller side decks falling around the 300- to -600-square-foot range and larger, wrap-around decks falling between 600 and 900 square feet. This means you’ll spend between $300 and $600 on a small deck and up to $900 on a larger pool deck in materials alone. With labor, expect to pay between $300 and $2,700.
Pea Gravel Cost in Bulk vs. Bag
While you can purchase small bags of pea gravel at the local gardening store for as little as $4 for 30 pounds (enough to cover roughly half a cubic foot), you’ll likely save money by purchasing pea gravel in bulk. The average cost of 1 ton of pea gravel is between $10 and $50.
Per ton: $10–$50
Per truckload: $250–$500
Per cubic yard: $15–$75
Per bag: $4–$6
Pea gravel is available in several different sizes, and this material is weighed by the ton. The weight and pricing don’t vary much by location. You can determine which option is best for you by considering the size of your project. Most bags cover about 1/2 cubic foot of space.
If you have a 100-cubic foot plot to cover, you would need 200 bags, at about $5 per bag, which would cost $1,000. A truckload of gravel has about 25 tons of pea gravel and costs between $250 and $500. If you have a larger project, you’ll save money buying in bulk. Pea gravel doesn’t decompose, so if you have extra, you can store it for later projects or even resell it to get some of your money back.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Pea Gravel Yourself?
Once you’re ready to tackle your home project, it’s time to decide if you want to do it yourself or get outside help. Pea gravel is a low-cost supply, and you won’t need many unique materials, though you may want to consider landscape fabric for a patio area.
As far as labor goes, you will need to dig a trench several inches deep. You should also consider adding a border to your garden, driveway, or patio to keep gravel pieces contained. The most significant expense (besides the gravel) is time. If you’re working alone, a large project could take you an entire weekend. If you have a few friends willing to work for pizza, you could complete a gravel driveway in a few hours.
If you have a larger project and want to hire a nearby professional, you will need to factor in the cost of labor, which is between $13 and $65 per hour.
How to Save Money on Pea Gravel Costs
Whenever you're about to buy a large amount of any renovation material, looking for cost-saving tips is key. Here are some ways to cut down on the cost of pea gravel, both when it comes to installation and the stone itself.
Handle delivery yourself by renting a truck or picking it up by bag from your local garden store.
DIY the pea gravel installation for smaller projects.
Investigate bulk sale prices directly with the manufacturer.
Keep an eye out for pea gravel varieties on sale during the off-season.
Stick with naturally hued pea gravel colors, such as gray and tan.
Consider hiring a pro to avoid costly errors such as uneven distribution.
Ginny Bartolone contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can lay pea gravel directly on the dirt. You should dig a trench 2 to 6 inches deep the length and width of the area you want to cover first. Plants and weeds will eventually grow through the pea gravel if you don’t lay down a landscaping cloth.
Alternative landscaping materials similar to pea gravel include wood chips, decomposed granite, crushed stone, and pebbles. You can also invest in specialty landscape rocks such as quartz, river rock, lava rock, and Mexican beach pebble. While many of these stones will cost more than pea gravel, some are more ideal for designing an attractive garden bed or managing drainage.
Pea gravel is extremely low maintenance. It doesn’t decompose, and it’s hefty, so it’s not likely to blow away. You may need to rake the gravel and surrounding areas as it gets tracked around. In some cases, you may also need to put up weeds that pop up between the pea gravel, depending on the previous surface below the stones.