Drainage Gravel - Material Guide
Picking the right gravel for a drainage gravel project? This guide covers the materials that fit best, how much you need, and what it costs delivered.
A solid drainage 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 drainage gravel
From $48/ton- Size1 - 2"
- Density2700 lb/yd³
- ColorGray
From $38/ton- Size1.5 - 2.5"
- Density2800 lb/yd³
- ColorGray
From $44/ton- Size3/4 - 1"
- Density2700 lb/yd³
- ColorGray
From $60/ton- Size1 - 3"
- Density2700 lb/yd³
- ColorMixed natural
What drainage gravel needs in a material
- Size and shape: 3/4 inch clean, washed, no fines.
- Drainage: high flow rate, voids stay open year round.
- Compaction: stays loose by design, never compacted.
The three specs above drive every other choice on a drainage 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 drainage gravel
-
1
Trench at 1% fall
Dig the trench so water flows toward the outlet at 1 percent grade minimum.
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2
Wrap with filter fabric
Line the trench with non-woven fabric, leaving enough to fold over the top later.
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3
Surround the pipe
Place 4 inches of clean stone under the perforated pipe and 4 inches over it.
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4
Backfill and cap
Fold the fabric over, top with washed stone, then cap with sod or river rock.
How much drainage 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 drainage gravel costs in 2026
| Region | Delivered per ton | Typical 300 sq ft project |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $44 to $76 | $154 to $266 |
| Midwest | $34 to $59 | $119 to $207 |
| South | $32 to $57 | $112 to $200 |
| West | $50 to $92 | $175 to $322 |
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.
Drainage Gravel mistakes to avoid
- Backfilling with stone that has fines, which clogs the void space fast.
- Forgetting to wrap the trench in fabric, so soil silts in within a season.
- Laying the pipe with holes pointing up, which floods slower.
- Setting the outlet above the trench bottom, leaving water trapped.