ABC gravel, or aggregate base course, typically costs $20-$40 per ton at the yard, with delivered prices commonly reaching $30-$65 per ton for small-to-medium orders. The final quote depends on order size, haul distance, grading and compaction labor, and whether the site needs old material removed.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC gravel material | $20 per ton | $30 per ton | $40 per ton | Bulk pickup; grade and supplier affect price |
| Delivered gravel | $30 per ton | $45 per ton | $65 per ton | Typical short-haul delivery, excluding spreading |
| Installed base course | $4 per sq ft | $7 per sq ft | $12 per sq ft | Varies by depth, access, and compaction work |
| 10-ton delivered order | $300 | $450 | $650 | Material and local delivery; site work extra |
What ABC gravel costs for a driveway base
For loose ABC gravel, budget about $20-$40 per ton before delivery. The midpoint is around $30 per ton, while delivered material often averages $45 per ton. A 10-ton load commonly totals $300-$650 delivered, depending mainly on supplier minimums and truck mileage. These prices assume ordinary crushed aggregate base, standard truck access, and no special stabilizer or extensive grading.
One ton generally covers about 80-100 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 40-50 square feet at 4 inches, though aggregate density and moisture change the yield. That puts the material-only rate near $0.30-$0.50 per square foot at 2 inches. Assumptions: standard ABC blend, U.S. local supplier, normal access, no sales tax or installation. For a useful estimate, calculate required tons from the planned area and compacted depth, then price delivery separately.
How material, hauling, and compaction shape the quote
ABC gravel quotes may bundle several charges. Material price alone is not the finished driveway price: spreading, shaping, and compaction require equipment and labor, and some sites need excavation or disposal first.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes it |
|---|---|---|
| ABC aggregate | $20-$40 per ton | Quarry, blend, and order volume |
| Local delivery | $50-$150 per load, or $5-$20 per ton | Distance, truck size, and minimum fee |
| Spreading and grading | $50-$100 per labor hour | Crew size, slope, and equipment access |
| Compaction | $0.50-$1.50 per sq ft | Area, lift thickness, and roller use |
| Excavation and disposal | $2-$6 per sq ft | Existing surface, soil, and dump fees |
Labor may be billed by the hour or included in a project bid. Ask whether the quote includes machine time, fuel, compaction, and final shaping. A low per-ton quote can cost more overall if it excludes delivery or job-site placement.
Which depth, tonnage, and haul distance raise the price?
Depth is a major material driver. A 2-inch layer uses roughly half the gravel required for a 4-inch layer, but driveways carrying heavier vehicles may need more depth or multiple compacted lifts. For a 600-square-foot area, a 4-inch base may require around 5-7 tons, depending on density and compaction; a 2-inch layer may need roughly 3-4 tons.
Distance also matters. A quarry within 10 miles may charge a modest local delivery fee, while a 25- to 40-mile haul can add about $10-$30 per ton or trigger a separate truck charge. Narrow gates, steep grades, soft ground, or limited dump access can require smaller loads or extra equipment. Confirm whether the required depth means loose material depth or compacted depth, because compaction reduces finished thickness.
How much do ABC gravel crews charge for placement?
For spreading and compacting, labor and equipment often add $1-$4 per square foot on a straightforward project; extensive excavation, grading, or difficult access can push site work higher. A small crew may finish a simple 500- to 800-square-foot driveway in 4-8 hours, while larger or uneven sites can take a full day or longer. Rates vary with local wages and machinery.
Some contractors set a minimum charge of $300-$700 for mobilization, even when the area is small. That minimum can make a partial repair cost more per square foot than a full driveway refresh. Compare the work description and included crew hours, not just the hourly rate.
Three ABC gravel driveway quotes at different sizes
A 400-square-foot patch with 2 inches of ABC may require 2-3 tons. With a short delivery, light grading, and compaction, expect roughly $350-$800 total. This assumes no excavation or disposal and a contractor minimum on the lower end.
A 600-square-foot driveway base at 4 inches may use approximately 5-7 tons. Material and delivery might total $250-$450, while spreading and compaction bring the project to about $900-$1,800. A 1,200-square-foot base at 4 inches may require around 10-14 tons, with a typical installed quote of $1,800-$3,500 when access is straightforward.
These examples use approximate quantities and local-market labor, not binding bids. Ask each bidder to state estimated tons, depth after compaction, and whether old material removal is included.
How regional delivery changes ABC gravel pricing
Prices are often lower near quarries and higher in dense metro areas where trucking, fuel, and labor cost more. Rural locations within a short quarry radius may run 5%-15% below a national midpoint for material, but remote delivery can erase that saving. Large cities can be 10%-25% above typical estimates, particularly for small loads or constrained truck access.
Regional material names and blends also differ. Suppliers may sell ABC as crusher run, road base, or aggregate base, and gradation specifications are not always identical. Request the supplier’s blend description and confirm it meets local requirements before comparing per-ton prices.
Ways to lower the delivered gravel bill
Get quotes from nearby quarries and landscape-material yards, checking whether the price is pickup, delivered, or dumped in a specific location. Combining needs into one larger truckload may reduce the per-ton delivery charge, but ordering too much creates leftover material and disposal expense. Measure the area and depth before requesting bids.
Keep the work area accessible, mark underground utilities, and remove movable obstacles before the crew arrives. Avoid paying for premium decorative stone where a compactable base blend is appropriate. Do not reduce specified base depth merely to lower the estimate; inadequate depth can lead to rutting and repeated repairs. The most reliable savings usually come from accurate tonnage, short hauling, and a clearly limited scope.
When ABC base gravel is cheaper than other driveway materials
ABC is commonly used beneath asphalt, concrete, pavers, and gravel drive surfaces because its mixed particle sizes compact into a stable base. Compared with clean, uniformly sized decorative stone, base-course aggregate is often less expensive and compacts more firmly. A top layer of decorative gravel may cost $35-$80 per ton before delivery, so using it through the full base can raise material expense without improving the foundation.
For a simple rural driveway, ABC can also serve as the finished surface, though dust and wear may prompt periodic replenishment. Asphalt or concrete costs substantially more upfront but provides a sealed surface; comparing full projects requires including excavation, drainage, edging, and expected maintenance. Use ABC where compacted base performance matters, and price finish materials separately when appearance or reduced dust is required.