#57 stone, also called No. 57 crushed stone, typically costs $25-$60 per ton for the material, with delivery often raising a small order’s total to $150-$500. The final price depends on quantity, stone type, hauling distance, access, and whether the job needs spreading or only a driveway drop.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk stone | $25 per ton | $38 per ton | $60 per ton | Quarry or landscape supplier pricing |
| Delivered order | $150 | $325 | $700 | Usually varies with load size and distance |
| Stone by volume | $35 per cubic yard | $55 per cubic yard | $85 per cubic yard | About 1.4-1.5 tons per cubic yard |
| Installed and spread | $6 per sq ft | $10 per sq ft | $16 per sq ft | Includes basic placement and labor |
What #57 stone costs by ton and project size
For loose #57 stone, budget about $25-$60 per ton before delivery. A typical 1-ton order may cost $150-$350 delivered because truck fees and minimum loads can exceed the stone charge. A 5-ton order often totals $250-$600 delivered, while larger 10-ton loads may land around $400-$850, depending on the quarry and haul.
One cubic yard generally weighs 1.4-1.5 tons, so a cubic yard of stone costs roughly $35-$85 before delivery. Installed pricing is commonly $6-$16 per square foot for a shallow, accessible area; excavation, fabric, grading, and edging can increase it. Assumptions: standard crushed limestone or similar aggregate, ordinary access, and regional supplier rates. Delivery minimums can matter more than the per-ton price on small orders.
How quarry, trucking, and spreading appear on a quote
A supplier’s estimate may combine stone, delivery, and placement into one charge. Ask whether the quoted tonnage is net stone weight, whether the truck can dump where needed, and whether spreading is included. A dump truck drop is not the same service as raking or machine placement.
| Quote component | Typical range | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone material | $25-$60 | Per ton | Rock type and local supply |
| Delivery | $75-$250 | Per load | Distance, load size, truck access |
| Spreading labor | $45-$85 | Per worker-hour | Area, depth, and equipment |
| Base preparation | $1-$4 | Per sq ft | Weed removal, grading, fabric |
| Old gravel removal | $20-$50 | Per cubic yard | Loading, disposal, and hauling |
For labor estimates, a basic spreading job may take 2-6 worker-hours, while preparation or removal can add several hours. Separate material, trucking, and labor charges make quotes easier to compare.
How tonnage, depth, and delivery distance change the total
Coverage depends on depth as much as area. At a 2-inch depth, one ton covers about 100-120 square feet; at 3 inches, it covers roughly 65-80 square feet. Actual coverage varies with stone density, compaction, and the unevenness of the base. For a 500-square-foot area at 3 inches deep, plan on approximately 7-8 tons, plus a modest allowance for settling or waste.
Distance can add $3-$8 per mile beyond a supplier’s included delivery radius, though some companies use fixed-zone pricing instead. Orders below 2-3 tons may face a minimum-load fee. Difficult access, steep driveways, overhead wires, or a long wheelbarrow route can also raise placement charges. Confirm the supplier’s coverage estimate against the planned depth before ordering.
Why limestone, granite, and recycled stone price differently
#57 is a size designation for roughly 1-inch stone, not a guarantee of a particular rock. Limestone is common and often among the least expensive choices near quarries. Granite or hard, durable regional rock may cost more, while recycled crushed concrete can be cheaper in some markets but may not match natural stone in appearance or drainage performance.
Gradation also matters. Clean #57 stone has little fine material and is often used for drainage, dry wells, and decorative beds. A compactable road base with fines is a different product and may be cheaper, but it does not provide the same open drainage. Ask for the product name and intended use rather than comparing only the label. Substituting a cheaper aggregate only saves money when it suits the job’s drainage and load requirements.
When a local delivery quote runs above the material price
Regional prices reflect quarry access, fuel, labor, and local demand. Within a short haul of a quarry, stone may fall near the low end of the range. In dense metro areas or locations far from a source, delivered costs can be 20%-50% higher than a nearby rural quote. Remote sites may exceed that difference when trucks make long trips or have limited access.
Prices can also differ within a state because a supplier’s minimum load and delivery radius vary. Compare quotes using the same stone type, tonnage, depth, and delivery point. A low material rate may not be the lowest delivered cost if the truck fee is high. Request the delivered total, not just the advertised price per ton.
Three #57 stone orders with realistic delivered totals
| Order scenario | Stone amount | Material estimate | Delivery or labor | Likely total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small garden bed, 120 sq ft at 2 in. | 1-1.5 tons | $35-$90 | $100-$225 delivery | $135-$315 |
| Drainage strip, 300 sq ft at 3 in. | 4-5 tons | $120-$250 | $125-$300 delivery and basic spreading | $245-$550 |
| Large parking area, 1,000 sq ft at 4 in. | 17-20 tons | $500-$1,000 | $250-$650 hauling and placement | $750-$1,650 |
These examples assume ordinary access and no major excavation. A prepared base, geotextile fabric, or removal of existing material can add hundreds of dollars. Use the examples as budgeting ranges, then verify local tonnage and truck capacity.
Can #57 stone replace gravel or a compacted base
For drainage trenches and decorative beds, #57 stone can be a practical alternative to smaller gravel when open spaces between stones are useful. For a driveway that needs a firm, compacted surface, a graded base containing fines is often a better choice. Using clean #57 alone may leave a loose surface and can require replenishment or additional edging.
Switching materials may reduce the purchase price by $5-$20 per ton, but the lower rate is not a saving if the alternative needs more frequent repair. Compare delivered and installed costs, not only quarry prices. Choose the aggregate for the intended function before comparing price per ton.
Ways to lower the delivered price without ordering short
Measure the area and settle on a depth before requesting bids; guessing can lead to an extra truckload or a second delivery fee. Ask suppliers for prices at 3, 5, and 10 tons, since a larger load may lower the delivered rate per ton. If storage and access allow, combining orders for separate areas may also reduce charges.
Collecting quotes from nearby quarries and landscape yards can reveal whether delivery, dump fees, and taxes are included. Prepare the site before the truck arrives, and avoid paying for spreading if the load can be dumped directly where it is needed. Do not order too little solely to avoid leftovers: a second small load may cost more than a reasonable overage. Control delivery logistics and quantity before trading away stone quality.