How Much Does Pea Gravel Cost?

Last Updated on December 29, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Pea gravel is an excellent alternative for people searching for low-cost, easy-to-install, and low-maintenance landscaping. Using pea gravel to enhance and protect the landscape is perfect for patios, driveways, playgrounds, and walkways. Also, some people choose to decorate their fish aquariums. This adaptable solution is available in a variety of color options.

Pea gravel costs vary depending on the size, depth, and area to be covered. However, it can be purchased by ton, per foot, cubic yards, or truckloads.

How much does pea gravel cost?

The average cost of pea gravel is $45 per ton, $55 per cubic yard, and $0.80 per square foot, for the material alone. Also, for complex projects that require a large volume of pea gravel, some individuals choose to buy in truckloads. A truckload of pea gravel weighing 2 to 7 tons costs $60 to $390. However, people that are in for smaller projects, choose to purchase pea gravel by bag. The average cost for a bag of 0.5 cubic feet is $6.

The final bill also depends on your geographical location, the company from which you purchase, and the amount of gravel you order.

In the table below, you will find the average cost range for pea gravel. Keep in mind that the installation and/or delivery fees are not included in these costs.

The labor cost to install pea gravel ranges somewhere between $0.85 and $2.80 per square foot. These prices are only for spreading the gravel by hand to a depth of 2” to 6”, excluding other ground preparations. For example, for a pea gravel driveway, the average installation cost is anywhere from $700 to $2,700.

Meanwhile, for a pea gravel patio installation costs are between $500 and $1,250. Keep in mind that the installation costs greatly depend on the project type, size, and also the depth. A 2″ to 4″ thick layer of pea gravel is required for a basic path with foot traffic. A 6″ or deeper covering of gravel is required for high-traffic areas such as a patio.

We gathered cost information based on what several people stated online, depending on the type of projects they were working on and the amount of pea gravel needed, and you can find everything about this in the table below.

Also, keep in mind that some companies may charge by hour. The cost of pea gravel installation in this case ranges between $15 and $70 per hour.

According to Home Advisor, the average household requires approximately 200 square feet of pea gravel. The pricing for this area ranges from $410 to $480 when purchased in 0.5 cubic foot bags.

Another important thing to consider is that the costs listed above for pea gravel, are for the standard, plain pea gravel. It comes in different shades of gray and it is the most common. Besides this, there are other options such as colored pea gravel or glow-in-the-dark pea gravel. However, these options can add an extra $30 to $60 per cubic yard or ton, to your project.

The overall cost of your project depends on several factors. Being a customized work, it is better to contact a company for professional expertise and a more accurate cost.

Factors that may affect the cost of pea gravel

• Supplier – Pea gravel can be purchased from a landscaping company or a hardware store. For example, at Home Depot you can purchase gravel in bags, however, specialized companies usually sell gravel by ton.
• Type of gravel – As we stated above, you can find various options for pea gravel. You can buy pea gravel in a range of shapes and finishes, as well as a number of colors.
• The amount – Some companies offer discounts if you purchase more than 6 tons of gravel. Be sure to provide the depth of the area in addition to the width.
• DIY or professional – If you choose to hire a professional to install the pea gravel, keep in mind that you will have to add some extra money to your budget.

Pea gravel installation cost and other extra expenses

Delivery price is determined by the quantity and the distance traveled. While some companies do not charge an extra fee for the transport, others do. So expect to pay somewhere between $5 to $10 per mile or $10 to $25 per ton. When you ask for a quote do not forget to ask about the delivery as well. Some companies have a minimum purchase amount to avoid paying the shipping cost. The minimum purchase amount starts at five tons, however, some companies may require a bigger buy.

Another extra cost is the permit. In order to be able to build your new project, make sure that you get an authorization. Depending on what you build, this could add $50 to $200 to your overall cost.

You might also like our articles on the cost of gravel in general, class 5 gravel, or landscape boulders.

Also, you may need a concrete edge to separate your path from the grass. Usually, this edge is somewhere from $5 up to $18 per linear foot.

Grass removal is an extra service that may be needed, and can add $0.2 to $2.

In order not to develop weed around or through your pea gravel project over time, you can opt for a weed control service. This type of service costs $50 to $250 per treatment, depending on your surface and location.

Another option to prevent weeds from growing through your pea gravel is to purchase a landscape fabric. This fabric will add an extra cost of $1.5 up to $2 per square foot.

Adding a drainage system, that will maintain your path or driveway, will add an extra $1,000 to $4,000 to the final bill.

Some surfaces are bumpy or uneven. In order to correct the area you may need to level or regrade it. A professional may charge you with an extra fee of $0.4 to $2 per square foot to do this additional job.

Another option to prevent weeds from growing through your pea gravel is to purchase a landscape fabric. This fabric will add an extra $1.5 up to $2 per square foot to the final cost.

Also, to prevent having a slippery surface you may want to acquire a pea gravel stabilizer, which will come at an additional cost as well.

Important things to consider

For successful results, install the pea gravel at a depth of at least two inches.

Before any work begins, request copies of the estimate, contract, and warranty.

It’s also a good idea to ask for price quotes from at least three to five companies, to find the best deal.

Choose your pea gravel according to the surface that it will serve. For pathways, for example, consider smaller pea gravel that is easier to walk on. However, for a driveway, it is best to use a larger type of pea gravel. This ensures that the gravel will not get stuck in the tire treads.

When requesting an estimate, make sure you provide all pertinent information, such as the size of the pea gravel, color, the size of the area you wish to cover, and the depth of the layer.

Using pea gravel for your patio or driveway is significantly less expensive than using concrete.

However, keep in mind that once you build your path with gravel you cannot separate it from the soil unless you destroy it. So, maintaining it with weed control services or adding a landscaper fabric from the start will definitely help.

How can I save money?

Check with several local landscaping supply providers and compare the costs. Usually, local companies tend to charge a smaller fee for delivering the gravel or include it in the cost completely.

Another online website to follow is the Craiglist. Builders frequently post advertising where they wish to dispose of the old gravel. These are normally free, and all you have to do is go to the job site and pick it up.

For small projects with sizes of around 200 square feet, it is more advantageous to acquire bags of pea gravel from a hardware store, such as Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Depending on the amount you are willing to purchase, some discounts may apply. Most suppliers give a discount when buying more than 10 tons.

You can always install the pea gravel yourself if you are skilled at it and have all of the necessary equipment.