Crushed stone typically costs $15-$75 per ton at a U.S. quarry, with many buyers paying about $35 per ton for common grades before delivery. The final price depends on stone type, order size, hauling distance, site access, and whether spreading or excavation is included.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone at quarry | $15/ton | $35/ton | $75/ton | Common aggregate through specialty stone |
| Delivered stone | $30/ton | $55/ton | $120/ton | Truck charge and distance affect total |
| Installed driveway layer | $60/ton | $100/ton | $180/ton | May include spreading and grading |
| Small load | $100 | $250 | $500+ | Minimum delivery charges can apply |
What a ton of crushed stone costs by purchase type
For bulk material picked up at a quarry, a practical budget is $15-$75 per ton, with standard base stone or gravel commonly around $25-$45 per ton. Decorative, washed, or harder-to-source aggregates can cost more. Delivered prices often land between $30 and $120 per ton once trucking and minimum-load fees are included.
A 10-ton order of ordinary driveway base might cost $250-$450 for material alone, or roughly $400-$900 delivered within a short local haul. Installation can add grading, compaction, and equipment charges. Compare quotes on the same delivered basis and stone specification, not just the listed price per ton. Assumptions: Common crushed aggregate, ordinary access, and typical local U.S. supplier pricing; regional quotes vary.
How stone, trucking, and grading appear on quotes
Supplier estimates may combine hauling and material into one figure, so buyers should ask for an itemized quote. The following ranges are common planning allowances, not fixed national rates.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone | $15-$75 | Grade, source, washing, color | Per ton |
| Delivery | $75-$250 | Distance, truck size, minimum load | Per trip |
| Spreading and grading | $40-$100 | Area, slope, equipment access | Per ton or hourly |
| Excavation and removal | $50-$150 | Depth, soil, disposal distance | Per hour or cubic yard |
| Compaction equipment | $50-$150 | Machine type and rental period | Per day |
Labor may be quoted separately at about $50-$100 per worker-hour, while a small machine and operator can raise the job minimum. Confirm whether the delivery fee includes unloading, tailgate spreading, and waiting time.
Stone size and grade can shift the per-ton price
Aggregate is sold by size and intended use. Common 3/4-inch crushed stone, often used for drainage and general projects, may cost $25-$50 per ton at the source. Larger 1- to 3-inch stone may run $30-$65 per ton, while fine stone dust or screenings often falls near $20-$45 per ton. Washed decorative rock can reach $40-$75 or more per ton.
Project dimensions matter as much as the rate. A 12-foot-by-50-foot driveway covered 4 inches deep needs about 7.5 cubic yards before allowance for compaction; that is roughly 10-12 tons depending on the aggregate’s density. A 2-inch top layer uses about half as much material. Ask the supplier to calculate tons from the specified depth and stone grade.
Base material with fines compacts differently from clean drainage stone, so substituting one grade for another can change performance as well as price. Orders may need an extra 5%-10% for uneven ground, spillage, and compaction. Rates for a particular stone are supplier-specific, and ton-to-yard conversions vary with moisture and density.
Delivery distance and order size change the total
Truck charges are often the largest swing in a small purchase. A nearby delivery may add $75-$150 per trip, while a longer haul or a restricted route can push trucking above $250. Many suppliers set a minimum charge for small loads; ordering 1-2 tons can therefore cost much more per ton than buying a full truckload.
Access also matters. Narrow driveways, low branches, soft ground, steep grades, and limited turning space may prevent a large dump truck from reaching the drop point. A smaller truck, extra trips, or wheelbarrow placement can add $50-$300 or more. Provide the delivery address, drop location, and access constraints before accepting the quote.
Regional crushed stone pricing differs by quarry access
Prices tend to be lower near active quarries and higher in dense cities, remote communities, or areas with limited aggregate supply. As a rough comparison, delivered quotes in quarry-adjacent rural markets may be 10%-20% below a broad local baseline. Urban and coastal markets can run 10%-30% higher, while remote deliveries may exceed that when hauling distances are long.
These differences are not guaranteed regional price rules: a nearby quarry, local trucking competition, fuel costs, and seasonal demand can outweigh state-level averages. Buyers should compare at least two local suppliers using the same grade, tonnage, delivery location, and unloading conditions. Local delivered quotes are more useful than a national per-ton average.
Three project examples show delivered stone budgets
A 6-ton order of 3/4-inch stone for a garden drainage strip might cost $180-$300 for material, plus $100-$200 for delivery, for a total near $280-$500. The low end assumes a nearby supplier and an accessible drop point; a small-load minimum can push the price higher.
A 12-ton driveway base order might cost $300-$540 for aggregate and $125-$275 for trucking. Spreading and grading could add $250-$600 for roughly 5-8 labor hours, producing a working total of about $675-$1,415. Excavation, fabric, and disposal are not included.
A 20-ton order of washed decorative stone might cost $800-$1,500 for material, with delivery of $150-$350. If the site needs 8-12 hours of placement and finish work, labor may add $400-$1,200, bringing the total to about $1,350-$3,050. These examples exclude unusual access problems and local taxes.
Lower the stone bill by controlling scope and hauling
Measure the area and set a realistic depth before ordering; overestimating by several tons adds material and sometimes another trip. Ask whether a full truckload lowers the per-ton rate, but do not order excess merely to reach a discount. For a hidden driveway base, a locally available standard grade may cost less than specialty stone without sacrificing the intended use.
Compare pickup with delivery only if a suitable truck, safe loading, and legal payload are available. For installed work, request separate prices for excavation, aggregate, spreading, compaction, and disposal. Schedule flexible delivery rather than paying for a rush slot, and prepare the drop area so the truck can unload in one visit. Keeping the grade, depth, and drop location fixed makes competing quotes easier to compare.