Are you planning a new driveway, a patio or a garden path, and wondering what a dump truck load of gravel will cost you?
It is one of those prices that is hard to find, because every supply yard sells it a little differently, by the ton or by the yard.
So in this guide I will show you real prices from landscape supply yards, what a full truckload works out to, and how to figure out how much gravel you actually need.
How Much Does a Dump Truck Load of Gravel Cost?
A dump truck carries anywhere from about 7 to 21 tons, depending on its size.
Hoerr Nursery in Peoria, Illinois, for example, delivers up to 7 tons in a small truck, 8 to 16 tons in a tandem and 16 to 21 tons in a semi. Green Landscape Supply near Atlanta sends up to 10 tons per load.
Here is what a load comes to with their own prices. These are my sums from the yards’ price lists:
So a truckload of basic gravel or road base is about $500 to $700 for the stone, plus delivery. Decorative stone can cost two or three times as much for the same load.
Gravel Prices per Ton and per Yard
Some yards sell by the ton and some by the cubic yard. Here is what they list:
As you can see, the same pea gravel goes from $35 a ton in Peoria to over $85 a yard in Houston. Where you live and what stone is local makes a big difference.
How Much Does Delivery Cost?
Hoerr Nursery publishes its local delivery prices: $75 for up to 7 tons of gravel, $105 for 8 to 16 tons and $140 for 16 to 21 tons.
Other yards set a minimum instead. Green Landscape Supply needs at least 3 yards for delivery, and Tri-State in Ohio asks you to call for a delivery price.
So always ask for the delivered price, not just the price per ton. A cheap stone from a yard far away can end up costing more once the truck has driven to you.
How Much Gravel Do You Need?
Green Landscape Supply gives a handy rule for one cubic yard of material:
Fox Landscape Supply puts it another way: one ton of pea gravel covers about 120 square feet at 2 inches deep.
Let me give you an example. A 12 by 25 foot driveway is 300 square feet. At 4 inches deep you need about 300 divided by 81, which is about 3.7 cubic yards, so order 4 yards to be safe.
Which Gravel Should You Choose?
- For a driveway base, a crushed stone with fines, like CA6, 411 limestone or crush and run, packs down hard.
- For the top of a driveway or for drainage, a clean crushed stone like #57 lets water through.
- For paths, patios and play areas, pea gravel is smooth and comfortable to walk on, but it moves around underfoot.
- For looks, decorative stones and river slicks cost more but finish a garden nicely.
Tips to Save Money on Gravel
- Order a full load if you need it. At Hoerr, delivery is the same $105 for anything from 8 to 16 tons, so a full truck spreads that cost.
- Use a cheaper base stone underneath and the nicer stone only on top.
- Pick it up yourself if you have a truck or trailer and only need a little.
- Ask two or three yards near you, since prices for the same stone vary so much.
Also Read: How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Crane
Some of the Most Asked Questions on This Topic
How much does a dump truck load of gravel cost?
About $500 to $700 for the stone in a 10 to 15 ton load of basic gravel or road base at the yards we checked, plus delivery. 15 tons of pea gravel from Hoerr Nursery in Peoria comes to $630 delivered.
How many tons are in a dump truck load?
Anywhere from about 7 to 21 tons. Hoerr’s tandem trucks carry 8 to 16 tons and its semis 16 to 21 tons.
How much is a ton of gravel?
From $33 a ton for road base to $68 for #57 stone at the yards we checked, and $130 to $155 for decorative stone.
How much does gravel delivery cost?
Hoerr Nursery charges $75 for up to 7 tons and $105 for 8 to 16 tons locally. Other yards quote it when you call.
How much area does a ton of gravel cover?
About 120 square feet at 2 inches deep, according to Fox Landscape Supply.
Can I pick up gravel myself?
Yes. Yards like Fox Landscape Supply sell for pickup too. Just check how much weight your truck or trailer can carry first.
Where These Prices Come From
- Hoerr Nursery Stone Market, Peoria, IL, prices and delivery, checked October 3, 2026.
- Fox Landscape Supply, Plainfield, IL, Pea Gravel, checked October 3, 2026.
- Green Landscape Supply, Atlanta area, Price List, checked October 3, 2026.
- Tri-State Landscape Supply, Middletown, OH, Material Pricing, checked October 3, 2026.
- Texas Garden Materials, Houston, Pea Gravel 3/8″, checked October 3, 2026.
That’s it! I hope this helps you order the right amount of gravel at a fair price. If you have any questions, you can email me at costcheckr@gmail.com.
