Decorative Gravel - Material Guide
Picking the right gravel for a decorative gravel project? This guide covers the materials that fit best, how much you need, and what it costs delivered.
A solid decorative gravel job comes down to three things: the right stone size, the right depth, and a base that drains. Get those right and the surface lasts 15 years before it needs a real top-up. Cut corners on any of them and you will be back out there with a rake inside two seasons. The numbers below come from real delivered jobs across our service area, not catalog specs.
Best materials for decorative gravel
From $60/ton- Size1 - 3"
- Density2700 lb/yd³
- ColorMixed natural
From $37/ton- Size1/4 - 3/8"
- Density2800 lb/yd³
- ColorTan / mixed
From $65/ton- Size0 - 1/4"
- Density3000 lb/yd³
- ColorTan, gold
What decorative gravel needs in a material
- Size and shape: 1 to 3 inch river rock or pea gravel mix.
- Drainage: high, water passes through to soil.
- Compaction: never compacted, stays loose for look.
The three specs above drive every other choice on a decorative gravel job. Order the wrong size and the surface fails fast. Pick a material that drains the wrong way and you fight standing water or washouts. Get these right and the install steps below take care of the rest.
How to install decorative gravel
-
1
Mark the bed
Lay a hose to shape the bed, mark with paint, edge with steel or stone.
-
2
Excavate 3 inches
Skim off sod and 3 inches of soil to make room for stone.
-
3
Lay fabric base
Roll woven fabric, overlap seams, staple to hold in wind.
-
4
Spread stone
Place 2 to 3 inches of river rock or pea, rake even, hose down.
How much decorative gravel material do you need
| Project size | 3 inch depth | 4 inch depth |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.9 cu yd / 1.3 tons | 1.2 cu yd / 1.7 tons |
| 300 sq ft | 2.8 cu yd / 3.9 tons | 3.7 cu yd / 5.2 tons |
| 600 sq ft | 5.6 cu yd / 7.8 tons | 7.4 cu yd / 10.4 tons |
Quantities above assume crushed stone at roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel and river rock run a bit lighter, decomposed granite a bit denser. Add 10 percent waste for irregular shapes and edge losses.
What decorative gravel costs in 2026
| Region | Delivered per ton | Typical 300 sq ft project |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $59 to $101 | $207 to $354 |
| Midwest | $45 to $78 | $158 to $273 |
| South | $42 to $76 | $147 to $266 |
| West | $67 to $123 | $235 to $431 |
Prices below are delivered per ton, full truck loads, 2026 service area pricing. Add 8 to 15 percent for half-loads under 12 tons and add fuel surcharges in volatile diesel markets. Bag drops and small-yard deliveries run higher per ton than the table shows.
Decorative Gravel mistakes to avoid
- No fabric base, so the stone sinks into the soil within a year.
- Mixing stone sizes that wash apart in heavy rain.
- Stone too close to the foundation, which traps termites against siding.
- Picking color before checking how it looks wet, which is the real color.