One of the key factors to consider when planning any construction or landscaping project is the cost of materials. For many projects, gravel is an essential component and is used for many projects, such as landscaping, road construction, drainage, and erosion control.
You can use gravel to make your driveway, patio, walkway, or garden look amazing. But how much does it cost to get a dump truck load of gravel delivered and spread? Well, that depends on a few things, such as:
What kind of gravel do you want?
How far is your project from the gravel source?
How much gravel do you need?
How easy or hard is it to spread the gravel?
In this blog post, I’ll help you figure out answers to these questions and give you some average prices and estimates for different types of gravel projects and the cost of a dump truck load of gravel.
Whether you are homeowner or a contractor, planning a DIY project or working on a large scale construction job, knowing the cost of gravel is essential for budgeting purposes. Let’s get started!
Factors Influencing Gravel Prices
Some of the main factors that affect gravel prices are:
Type and quality of gravel:
Different types of gravel have different properties and uses. For example, crushed stone is suitable for driveways and roads because it is strong and durable; pea gravel is ideal for walkways and patios because it is smooth and uniform; river rock is attractive for landscaping because it has natural colors and shapes; decorative gravel is expensive because it has unique patterns or textures.
The quality of the gravel also affects the price. Higher quality gravel is more expensive than lower quality gravel because it has fewer impurities, more consistency, and better appearance.
The price difference between different types and qualities of gravel can range from $10 to $35 per ton or $15 to $54 per cubic yard.
Different types of gravel are:
Base gravel: Base gravel is used to form a base or foundation for a driveway or road. It has an irregular shape and provides a sturdy and permeable layer.
Crushed stone: This type is produced by crushing larger rocks into smaller pieces. It has various sizes and shapes and is suitable for driveways, walkways, and patios.
Pea gravel: It is small, rounded, and smooth pebbles that come in various colors. It is ideal for pathways, patios, playgrounds, and other decorative purposes.
River rock: This type is large, smooth, and polished stones that are naturally shaped by water. It is perfect for accenting gardens, ponds, water features, and other natural settings.
Quarry process: This type of gravel is made from crushed concrete or asphalt mixed with stone dust or sand. It has a rough texture and a gray color. It is often used as a base material for roads or foundations.
Marble chips: Marble chips are made from natural marble stones that are cut into small pieces. It has a smooth texture and a white color with veins or patterns. It is often used as an ornamental material for driveways or walkways.
Note: There are other kinds of gravels besides the ones I mentioned, but those are the most popular ones.
So all these types have different prices, on average I can gave you their estimate below:
| Type of Gravel | Average Cost per Ton | Dump Truck Cost (15 tons) |
|---|---|---|
| Base gravel | $10 to $50 | $150 to $750 |
| Crushed stone | $15 to $75 | $225 to $1,125 |
| Pea gravel | $28 to $45 | $420 to $675 |
| River rock | $8.33 to $25 | $125 to $375 |
| Quarry process | $3.33 to $16.67 | $50 to $250 |
| Marble chips | $74.07 to $296.30 | $1,111 to $4,445 |
Quantity and delivery distance:
The more gravel you need, the higher the price will be. The delivery distance also affects the price because it adds to the transportation cost.
Generally, bulk gravel (purchased by the ton or cubic yard) is cheaper than bagged gravel (purchased by the bag or gallon), but it requires more space to load and unload.
The delivery cost can vary from $10 to $50 per ton or $15 to $75 per cubic yard, depending on how far the supplier has to travel.
The table below shows the average costs of different quantities and delivery distances of gravel, as well as the dump truck cost for each scenario.
| Quantity and Delivery Distance | Gravel Cost | Dump Truck Cost (15 tons) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ton of gravel delivered 10 miles | $20 to $60 | $300 to $900 |
| 1 cubic yard of gravel delivered 10 miles | $25 to $90 | $375 to $1,350 |
| 1 ton of gravel delivered 50 miles | $60 to $300 | $900 to $4,500 |
| 1 cubic yard of gravel delivered 50 miles | $75 to $450 | $1,125 to $6,750 |
Location and availability:
The location of the supplier affects the price because it determines how far they have to travel to deliver the gravel. The availability of the supplier also influences the price because some types of gravel may be more scarce or in demand than others in certain areas.
For example, river rock may be more expensive in a desert than in a forest area. The location and availability factor can add or subtract $5 to $20 per ton or $7 to $30 per cubic yard to the price of gravel .
Table
| Location | Type of Gravel | Average Cost per Ton | Delivery Fee per Load | Delivery Fee per Mile | Dump Truck Cost (15 tons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | River rock | $25 to $45 | $30 to $150 | $1.5 to $6 | $450 to $825 |
| Florida | Pea gravel | $30 to $50 | $20 to $100 | $1 to $4 | $470 to $850 |
| Georgia | Crushed stone | $20 to $40 | $15 to $75 | $0.75 to $3 | $315 to $675 |
| Michigan | Base gravel | $15 to $35 | $10 to $50 | $0.50 to $2.5 | $235 to $575 |
| New York | Marble chips | $80 to $300 | $50 to $250 | $2.5 to $10 | $1,250 to $4,750 |
| Texas | Quarry process | $3.33 to $16.67 | $40 to $200 | $2 to $8 | $90 to $300 |
Labor and Spreading costs:
If you need professional help to install/spread your gravel project, you will have to pay extra for labor and equipment. Labor costs depend on how complex your project is, how many workers are involved, how long it takes to complete it, and what skills they have.
Equipment costs include renting or buying tools such as shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, dump trucks, etc. The labor and installation costs can range from $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot or $50 to $150 per hour, depending on the scope and difficulty of the project.
Here is the table that shows labor cost for different places:
| Location | Labor and Installation Cost per Square Foot | Labor and Installation Cost per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $0.75 to $1.25 | $75 to $125 |
| Florida | $0.50 to $1 | $50 to $100 |
| Georgia | $0.75 to $1.50 | $75 to $150 |
| Michigan | $0.50 to $1 | $50 to $100 |
| New York | $1 to $1.50 | $100 to $150 |
| Texas | $0.75 to $1.25 | $75 to $125 |
Please note that these are only average costs and may vary depending on the region, season, quality, source, availability, transportation, and installation of the gravel. The dump truck cost is calculated by multiplying the average cost per ton by 15, which is the typical capacity of a dump truck.
Breaking it Down: Average Gravel Prices in Different Units
If you want to know more about the pricing of gravel in terms of different units, let me show you that too.
Per Ton:
A ton of gravel is equal to 2,000 pounds or 907 kilograms. Gravel sold by the ton costs between $10 and $50 per ton. For instance, crushed stone is $10 to $50 per ton, while decorative gravel is $28 to $45 per ton.
Per Cubic Yard:
A cubic yard of gravel is equal to 27 cubic feet or 0.764 cubic meters. Gravel sold by the cubic yard costs between $15 and $75 per cubic yard. For example, crushed stone is $15 to $75 per cubic yard, while decorative gravel is $21 per cubic yard.
Per Square Foot:
A square foot of gravel is a measure of the area covered by gravel. Gravel used as a base material for various projects costs between $1 and $3 per square foot. For instance, pea gravel is $1 to $3 per square foot for a 4’x20’ area with 12 inches of depth.
Per Truck Load:
A truck load of gravel is a measure of the volume of gravel delivered by a truck. Gravel delivered by truck loads costs between $1,350 and $2,500 or more per truck load which can have upto 15 tons of gravel on average.
For instance, a truck load of crushed stone is about $1,350 for a 12’x100’ road with 12 inches of depth.
| Type of Gravel | Average Cost per Ton | Average Cost per Cubic Yard | Average Cost per Square Foot | Average Cost per Truck Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base gravel | $10 to $50 | $0.75 to $2.5 | $1.5 to $3 | $150 to $750 |
| Crushed stone | $15 to $75 | $1.25 to $4 | $2.25 to $5 | $225 to $1,125 |
| Pea gravel | $28 to $45 | $2.25 to $4.5 | $3.75 to $6 | $420 to $675 |
| River rock | $8.33 to $25 | N/A | $1 to $3 | $125 to $375 |
| Quarry process | $3.33 to $16.67 | N/A | $0.40 to $2 | $50 to $250 |
| Marble chips | $74.07 to $296.30 | N/A | $2 to $8 | $1,111 to $4,445 |
Calculating the quantity of gravel needed for your project
So as you are planning to use gravel for your landscaping, driveway, patio, or any other project, you also then need to know how much gravel you will need.
A I said before a typical dump truck can carry about 15 tons of gravel, which may be more or less than what you actually need. Therefore, it is important to calculate the exact amount of gravel you will need based on the dimensions of the area you want to cover.
In this section, I will help you estimate the quantity of gravel needed for your project. I will provide you with a table that shows how much gravel you will need for different dimensions of the area, assuming a depth of 4 inches and a density of 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
| Area (square feet) | Volume (cubic yards) | Weight (tons) | Cost (dollars) | Dump truck loads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1.48 | 2.07 | $41.4 | 0.14 |
| 200 | 2.96 | 4.14 | $82.8 | 0.28 |
| 300 | 4.44 | 6.22 | $124.4 | 0.41 |
| 400 | 5.93 | 8.30 | $166 | 0.55 |
| 500 | 7.41 | 10.37 | $207.4 | 0.69 |
| 600 | 8.89 | 12.45 | $248.9 | 0.83 |
| 700 | 10.37 | 14.52 | $290.4 | 0.97 |
| 800 | 11.85 | 16.59 | $331.8 | 1.11 |
| 900 | 13.33 | 18.66 | $373.3 | 1.24 |
| 1000 | 14.81 | 20.73 | $414.7 | 1.38 |
Project Examples
let me show you some more examples of how much it will cost for different types of projects. I’ll use the average prices from the tables above, but you can adjust them according to your specific situation.
Walkway or Flower Bed (4’ x 20’)
Let’s say you want to make a walkway or a flower bed with pea gravel. You need about 2 cubic yards (24 square feet) per side. Here is how much it will cost:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gravel ($40 per cubic yard) | $40 x 2 x 4 = $160 |
| Delivery ($0.50 per mile) | $0.50 x 10 miles = $5 |
| Spreading ($0.50 per square foot) | $0.50 x 24 square feet = $12 |
| Total | $177 |
Gravel Patio or Landscaping (10’ x 20’)
Let’s say you want to make a patio or a landscaping with river rock. You need about 7 cubic yards (168 square feet) per side. Here is how much it will cost:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gravel ($75 per cubic yard) | $75 x 7 x 10 = $3,750 |
| Delivery ($0.50 per mile) | $0.50 x 20 miles = $10 |
| Spreading ($0.50 per square foot) | $0.50 x 168 square feet = $84 |
| Total | $3,844 |
Driveway (12’ x 25’)
If you want to make a driveway with crushed stone. You need about 9 cubic yards (270 square feet) per side. Here is how much it will cost:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gravel ($15 per cubic yard) | $15 x 9 x 12 = $1,620 |
| Delivery ($0.50 per mile) | $0.50 x 20 miles = $10 |
| Spreading ($0.50 per square foot) | $0.50 x 270 square feet = $135 |
| Total | $1,765 |
Erosion Control (50’ x 100’)
To make an erosion control project with limestone. You need about 50 cubic yards (4,500 square feet) per side. Here is how much it will cost:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gravel ($25 per cubic yard) | $25 x 50 x 50 = $62,500 |
| Delivery ($0.50 per mile) | $0.50 x 50 miles = $25 |
| Spreading ($0.50 per square foot) | $0.50 x 4,500 square feet = $2,250 |
| Total | $64,775 |
Tips to Save Money and Get the Best Value
I hope these above examples gave you an idea of how much it will cost to get a dump truck load of gravel delivered and spread for your project. But before you order your gravel, let me give you some tips on how to save money and get the best value for your gravel project:
Compare prices from different sources and suppliers of gravel in your area and don’t buy from the first supplier you find, go ahead and look for multiple suppliers to get a better quote.
Order your gravel in bulk and in advance. You can save money by avoiding multiple deliveries and getting discounts for large orders. You can also avoid price fluctuations and shortages by ordering your gravel ahead. Also if you ordered 12 tons of gravel in a dump truck, and later you realized that its less, then you have to pay for another delivery which can cost you more.
Plan your project in the off-season or when the demand for gravel is low. You can save money by taking advantage of lower prices and better availability of gravel during the winter or rainy season.
Hire a professional contractor or landscaper to deliver and spread your gravel. They have the experience and equipment to do the job efficiently and safely. You can also save time and hassle by letting them handle the permits and regulations required for your project.
You can also read: How Much Does it Cost to Wrap a Truck
Some of Most Asked Questions on this Topic
How is gravel typically priced?
Gravel is often priced by the cubic yard or ton. The cost can vary based on the type of gravel (e.g., crushed stone, pea gravel), and prices may include delivery charges.
What is the average cost per dump truck load of gravel?
The average cost per dump truck load of gravel can range from $300 to $1,200 or more, depending on factors like the type of gravel, delivery distance, and regional market conditions.
Does the type of gravel affect the cost?
Yes, the type of gravel can significantly impact the cost. Different types of gravel, such as crushed stone, pea gravel, or river rock, may have varying costs based on their availability and the process involved in obtaining and preparing them.
Are there additional costs beyond the gravel itself?
Yes, additional costs may include delivery fees, taxes, and any surcharges that the supplier might apply. It’s important to inquire about these potential extra charges when obtaining price quotes.
How does delivery distance affect the cost?
The distance between the gravel supplier and your location can influence the cost due to transportation expenses. Longer delivery distances may result in higher delivery fees.
Can I save money by picking up the gravel myself?
In many cases, suppliers offer the option for customers to pick up gravel themselves, which can save on delivery fees. However, consider the logistics, as large quantities of gravel can be heavy and may require appropriate equipment for loading.
How do I find the best deals on a dump truck load of gravel?
To find the best deals, it’s recommended to obtain quotes from multiple local suppliers, compare prices, and consider factors such as delivery costs and the reputation of the supplier.
What questions should I ask when getting a quote for gravel?
When obtaining a quote, be sure to ask about the type and quality of gravel, the total cost including any additional fees, delivery options, and any discounts available for bulk purchases. Additionally, inquire about the supplier’s policies on returns or adjustments.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right gravel supplier is crucial to ensuring that you not only get the best quality gravel but also the best price. When making your decision, it’s important to consider a few key factors.
Firstly, do your research and read reviews about different suppliers in your area. Look for suppliers with a good reputation for providing high quality materials and reliable service. Additionally, consider their experience in the industry and their ability to meet your specific needs.
Secondly, compare quotes from different suppliers. While it’s important to consider the cost, don’t solely base your decision on price alone. Take into account factors such as delivery fees, any additional services they offer, and the overall value for money.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, reach out to the supplier and get clarification. This will help you make an informed decision and ensure that you’re getting exactly what you need.
Thats it! I hope you found this post helpful and informative and got know about gravel cost per dump truck. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading! 😊
Joseph Michael is the founder and editor of CostCheckr.com, a website that helps you find out how much things cost in different situations. He has a degree in economics and statistics, and he uses various data sources and methods to produce reliable and informative content for you. He loves to travel, play cricket, read books and study about economics and statistics.