The cost of 3/4-inch gravel is usually $25-$65 per ton at a quarry or landscape yard, with delivered orders often totaling $100-$500 or more. Price depends on stone type, order size, delivery distance, and whether the site needs spreading or old material removed.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4-inch gravel, bulk | $25 per ton | $40 per ton | $65 per ton | Material only; stone and market affect price |
| One cubic yard | $35 | $55 | $95 | About 1.3-1.5 tons, depending on stone |
| Small delivered order | $100 | $200 | $350 | Often includes a delivery minimum |
| Driveway project | $500 | $1,500 | $4,000+ | Size, depth, base work, and hauling determine total |
What 3/4-Inch Gravel Usually Costs Per Ton
For loose bulk stone, a practical planning range is $25-$65 per ton, averaging about $40. This typically covers standard crushed limestone or similar aggregate sold by a quarry or landscaping supplier, before delivery, grading, or site preparation. Decorative stone and specialty colors can cost more.
One cubic yard commonly weighs about 1.3-1.5 tons, so material alone is roughly $35-$95 per yard. Weight changes with rock type, moisture, and gradation; suppliers may sell by the ton rather than volume. Assumptions: standard 3/4-inch crushed stone, bulk purchase, no unusual access or installation work. For a small order, delivery can cost as much as—or more than—the gravel.
How Stone, Hauling, and Spreading Shape the Quote
A delivered estimate may combine the stone price with truck charges, minimum-load fees, and labor to spread or compact the aggregate. Request an itemized quote that identifies the product, billed weight, delivery, and any site work. A low per-ton price may not mean a low total when the order is small.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High | Common pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4-inch stone | $25 | $40 | $65 | Per ton |
| Local delivery | $50 | $100 | $200 | Per truck or load |
| Spreading or grading | $40 | $75 | $125 | Per labor hour |
| Old gravel removal | $50 | $100 | $200 | Per ton, including hauling in some markets |
| Geotextile fabric | $0.20 | $0.50 | $1.00 | Per square foot, material only |
Labor varies by crew and access. A small spreading job may take 2-4 hours, while driveway grading or base repair can require a full day or equipment operator. Confirm whether the quote includes unloading only or actual spreading and compaction.
How Depth and Tonnage Change the Gravel Estimate
Area and finished depth determine the quantity. For a compacted 3-inch layer, one ton generally covers about 80-100 square feet; at 4 inches, plan on roughly 60-75 square feet per ton. These are estimates, not guarantees, because stone density and compaction differ.
For example, a 600-square-foot area at 3 inches deep may need about 6-8 tons, with extra material sometimes needed for uneven ground. A 12-by-50-foot driveway at 4 inches may take roughly 10-13 tons. Verify the supplier’s coverage figure and add a modest allowance for grading and compaction.
Stone type and site conditions also matter. Crushed 3/4-inch aggregate with fines can compact into a firmer surface than clean, washed stone, which drains but may shift under traffic. Slopes, soft soil, tight truck access, and distances above about 25-50 miles can increase labor, equipment, or delivery charges.
What Delivery Distance and Load Size Add
Suppliers may charge a flat truck fee, a per-mile rate, or a minimum delivery amount. A small load can therefore have a high delivered cost per ton even when the material itself is inexpensive. Larger orders often reduce the delivery charge per ton, but only if the truck can unload safely and the site has room for the material.
Typical local delivery may add $50-$200 per load; longer hauls, multiple trips, or difficult access can push the charge higher. Some suppliers have minimums of one to several tons, while others price by truck capacity. Ask whether the quote is for a full truck, a partial load, or a minimum charge.
Why 3/4 Gravel Prices Differ by U.S. Region
Quarry access and freight costs create substantial regional variation. In areas close to stone production, basic crushed gravel may be near the low end of the range; distant urban markets and places with limited local supply can be 20%-50% higher. Dense metro areas may also have added truck, fuel, and unloading charges.
Rural delivery can be less expensive when a quarry is nearby, but remote addresses may face longer-haul fees or limited delivery days. Decorative granite or specialty aggregate can cost 25%-100% more than common local limestone. Compare delivered totals from suppliers serving the same address, not just advertised per-ton rates.
Three Project Examples for 3/4-Inch Gravel
A 200-square-foot garden path at 3 inches may require about 2-3 tons. At $35-$55 per ton, material is about $70-$165; with a $75-$150 delivery charge, the total is approximately $145-$315 before fabric or installation.
A 600-square-foot parking pad at 4 inches may need about 8-11 tons. Material at $30-$55 per ton costs $240-$605, and delivery may add $100-$200. With 4-8 hours of grading labor at $60-$100 per hour, an installed estimate may reach $580-$1,605.
A 1,000-square-foot driveway resurfacing at 3 inches may need about 11-14 tons. Material could cost $330-$770, delivery $100-$250, and 6-10 hours of equipment and labor $360-$1,000, for a rough total of $790-$2,020. These examples assume usable existing ground; excavation or a new base increases the budget.
Where to Save on a Gravel Delivery or Driveway
Measure the area and planned depth before ordering, then ask suppliers to calculate tonnage using their own density and coverage figures. Combining material needs into one delivery can reduce per-ton hauling expense, provided there is a safe place to unload and store the full load.
Choose locally available crushed stone when appearance is secondary, and avoid paying for washed or decorative aggregate where a compactable driveway surface is needed. Compare at least three written quotes with the same stone specification and delivery address. Do not cut depth below what traffic and soil conditions require; premature rutting can make a cheap installation cost more over time.