So, how much is pea gravel per yard? The pea gravel cost typically ranges from $20 to $60 per cubic yard when purchased in bulk, but this can vary significantly based on your location, the type of pea gravel, and any additional delivery fees. If you’re looking for a precise pea gravel price, you’ll need to consider these factors. This comprehensive guide will help you decipher the pea gravel yard price and make informed decisions for your landscaping projects.
Pea gravel is a popular choice for many outdoor applications due to its smooth texture, attractive appearance, and affordability. Whether you’re planning a new patio, a garden path, a decorative mulch layer, or even a dog run, knowing the pea gravel per yard cost is crucial for budgeting. Let’s dive into the details to help you understand the full picture of the cost of pea gravel per cubic yard.
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Factors Influencing Pea Gravel Cost
Several elements contribute to the overall pea gravel price. It’s not as simple as a single number, as your specific needs and local market conditions play a significant role.
1. Type of Pea Gravel
While “pea gravel” generally refers to small, rounded stones, there are variations that can affect the pea gravel per yard cost.
- Color: Pea gravel comes in a range of natural colors, including tans, grays, whites, reds, and browns. More unique or intensely colored varieties might command a slightly higher pea gravel bulk price.
- Size Consistency: While most pea gravel is sorted for size, slight variations can occur. Highly uniform gravel may be priced a bit higher.
- Source: The quarry or source of the gravel can impact its availability and, consequently, its price. Local sources often mean lower transportation costs, which can translate to a better cubic yard pea gravel price.
2. Quantity Purchased
The pea gravel bulk price is almost always lower per unit than when buying smaller quantities. Buying in full cubic yards is generally the most cost-effective approach. If you only need a small amount, you might end up paying more per bag or per pound.
3. Location
Geographic location is a major determinant of how much does a yard of pea gravel cost.
- Regional Demand: Areas with high demand for landscaping materials may see higher prices.
- Availability: If pea gravel is less readily available in your region, the pea gravel yard price might increase due to scarcity.
- Transportation Costs: The further the gravel has to travel from the quarry to your local supplier, the higher the pea gravel delivery cost will be.
4. Supplier
Different suppliers will have varying pricing structures.
- Retail Garden Centers: These often have higher prices due to overhead and smaller volume sales.
- Landscape Supply Yards: These are typically the best places to get a competitive pea gravel bulk price.
- Direct from Quarry: In some cases, you might be able to buy directly from a quarry, but this is usually for very large quantities and may not include delivery.
5. Delivery Fees
This is a significant factor, especially if you’re not picking it up yourself. The pea gravel delivery cost can add a substantial amount to your total bill.
- Distance: The further your location is from the supplier, the higher the delivery charge.
- Delivery Minimums: Some suppliers have minimum order requirements for delivery.
- Time of Delivery: While less common, some services might charge more for expedited or specific time-slot deliveries.
Calculating Your Pea Gravel Needs
Before you can determine the total pea gravel cost, you need to estimate how much you’ll need. This involves measuring the area you want to cover and deciding on the depth of the gravel layer.
Determining Area
Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
* Example: A rectangular patio measuring 10 feet by 12 feet has an area of 120 square feet (10 ft * 12 ft).
Deciding on Depth
The required depth of pea gravel depends on its intended use.
- Light Foot Traffic (Paths, Decorative Layers): 2-3 inches is usually sufficient.
- Heavier Foot Traffic (Patios, Walkways): 3-4 inches might be better for stability and longevity.
- Drainage Applications: Deeper layers might be needed.
For calculations, it’s best to convert your desired depth from inches to feet.
- 1 inch = 1/12 feet
- 2 inches = 2/12 feet = 1/6 feet ≈ 0.17 feet
- 3 inches = 3/12 feet = 1/4 feet = 0.25 feet
- 4 inches = 4/12 feet = 1/3 feet ≈ 0.33 feet
Calculating Cubic Feet
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet.
- Formula: Cubic Feet = Area (sq ft) × Depth (ft)
- Example: For a 120 sq ft patio needing a 3-inch (0.25 ft) layer:
Cubic Feet = 120 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 30 cubic feet
Converting Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards
Since pea gravel is typically sold by the cubic yard, you need to convert your cubic feet measurement. There are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cu ft).
- Formula: Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet / 27
- Example: For 30 cubic feet:
Cubic Yards = 30 cu ft / 27 cu ft/cu yd ≈ 1.11 cubic yards
Pro Tip: Always round up your calculation to the next whole or half yard to account for settling, waste, and slight variations in coverage. For our example, you would likely want to order 1.5 cubic yards of pea gravel.
Typical Pea Gravel Prices by Volume
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect regarding pea gravel per yard cost based on common purchase volumes.
Purchasing by the Bag
Pea gravel is often sold in bags at home improvement stores and garden centers. These bags typically contain 0.5 cubic feet to 1 cubic foot of gravel.
- Bag Size: 0.5 cu ft bag
- Approximate Price Per Bag: $5 – $8
- Cost Per Cubic Yard: If a bag contains 0.5 cu ft, you’ll need 54 bags to make 1 cubic yard (27 cu ft / 0.5 cu ft/bag = 54 bags).
- Minimum cost: 54 bags * $5/bag = $270
- Maximum cost: 54 bags * $8/bag = $432
- Bag Size: 1 cu ft bag
- Approximate Price Per Bag: $7 – $12
- Cost Per Cubic Yard: You’ll need 27 bags to make 1 cubic yard.
- Minimum cost: 27 bags * $7/bag = $189
- Maximum cost: 27 bags * $12/bag = $324
Observation: Buying in bags is significantly more expensive per cubic yard than buying in bulk. This is usually only practical for very small projects or touch-ups.
Purchasing in Bulk (Loose)
This is the most cost-effective method for larger projects. You typically order by the cubic yard, and the gravel is delivered loose in a dump truck.
- Approximate Cost Per Cubic Yard: $20 – $60 (plus delivery)
- Factors Influencing Bulk Price: As discussed earlier, color, quality, and local market conditions play a role.
- Typical Delivery Fee: $50 – $150, depending on distance and supplier.
So, if you need 3 cubic yards of pea gravel and the bulk price is $40 per cubic yard with a $100 delivery fee:
Total Cost = (3 cubic yards * $40/cubic yard) + $100 delivery = $120 + $100 = $220.
This equates to approximately $73.33 per cubic yard, including delivery, which is much more reasonable than bag prices.
Comparing Pea Gravel to Other Landscaping Gravels
While we’re focusing on pea gravel, it’s helpful to know how its pea gravel cost compares to other popular landscaping gravel per yard options.
| Gravel Type | Typical Price Per Cubic Yard | Common Uses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | $20 – $60 | Pathways, patios, mulch, decorative ground cover | Smooth, rounded stones; comfortable underfoot. |
| Crushed Stone | $25 – $55 | Driveways, base layers, drainage, patios | Angular stones; locks together well, provides good compaction. |
| River Rock | $50 – $150+ | Landscaping beds, dry creek beds, decorative accents | Larger, rounded stones; can be more expensive due to size and shape. |
| Decomposed Granite | $30 – $70 | Pathways, patios, natural-looking surfaces | Fine, gravelly material that compacts well; can be dusty. |
As you can see, pea gravel is generally mid-range in price compared to other landscaping gravel per yard options, offering a good balance of aesthetic appeal and cost-effectiveness.
Projects Where Pea Gravel Shines
The cost of pea gravel per cubic yard makes it a versatile material for numerous landscaping applications.
1. Pathways and Walkways
Pea gravel is excellent for creating charming and permeable pathways. Its smooth texture makes it comfortable to walk on, especially when a thick enough layer is used. The pea gravel price is quite attractive for covering larger areas.
2. Patios
A pea gravel patio can be a budget-friendly alternative to pavers or concrete. For stability, it’s often laid over a compacted base of crushed stone and then covered with a landscape fabric to prevent weeds and mixing with the base.
3. Decorative Mulch
In garden beds, pea gravel can serve as a decorative mulch. It helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and adds a clean, finished look. It’s particularly effective around drought-tolerant plants and in areas where organic mulch might decompose too quickly or attract pests.
4. Play Areas and Dog Runs
The smooth, rounded nature of pea gravel makes it a suitable surface for children’s play areas (like under swings) or for dog runs. It’s permeable, allowing for good drainage.
5. Drainage Solutions
Pea gravel’s size and shape allow for good water flow, making it useful in drainage applications, such as around foundations or in French drains.
Tips for Buying Pea Gravel
To get the best pea gravel per yard cost and ensure a smooth transaction, follow these tips:
1. Get Multiple Quotes
Contact several local landscape supply yards and even some larger home improvement stores to compare prices. Ask for their pea gravel bulk price and any associated delivery fees.
2. Know Your Volume Needs
Accurately calculate how much gravel you need. It’s better to have a little extra than to run short and have to pay for another delivery.
3. Ask About Delivery Costs
Clarify exactly what the pea gravel delivery cost includes. Is it a flat fee? Is it based on mileage? Are there minimum order requirements for delivery?
4. Consider Pickup if Possible
If you have a truck or trailer and your project is small enough, picking up the gravel yourself can save you the delivery fee. This is often the best way to manage the pea gravel cost.
5. Check for Quality
When you visit a supplier, look at the gravel. Does it look clean? Is the color consistent? Does it appear to be the right size? Sometimes the cheapest option might be lower quality.
6. Factor in Installation
While not part of the pea gravel yard price itself, consider the labor involved. If you’re doing it yourself, how much time and effort will it take to spread the gravel? This is part of the overall project cost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How many pounds is a cubic yard of pea gravel?
A cubic yard of pea gravel typically weighs between 2,400 and 2,800 pounds, depending on the moisture content and the specific density of the stone. This can be helpful if you’re ordering from a supplier who sells by weight or if you’re estimating how much your truck can carry.
Q2: Can I use pea gravel for a driveway?
While pea gravel is sometimes used for decorative driveways or pathways that see very light vehicle traffic, it’s generally not recommended for standard driveways. The loose, rounded stones can shift and create ruts under the weight of vehicles, making driving difficult and potentially damaging tires. Crushed stone or compacted gravel is usually a better choice for driveways.
Q3: How deep should pea gravel be for a path?
For a comfortable walking path, a depth of 3 to 4 inches of pea gravel is recommended. This depth provides a stable surface and prevents you from feeling too many individual stones underfoot. Ensure the area is properly prepped with a base layer and landscape fabric for best results.
Q4: Is pea gravel permeable?
Yes, pea gravel is permeable, meaning water can pass through it. This is one of its advantages, as it helps with drainage and reduces runoff. However, if you lay it very thickly or mix it with fine materials, the permeability can be reduced.
Q5: What’s the difference between pea gravel and river rock?
Pea gravel and river rock are both naturally rounded stones, but river rock is typically larger, with individual stones often ranging from 1 to 3 inches in diameter or more. Pea gravel, as the name suggests, consists of much smaller stones, usually between 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch in diameter. River rock can also be more varied in color and shape. The pea gravel cost is generally lower than that of river rock.
Q6: Do I need landscape fabric under pea gravel?
It’s highly recommended to use landscape fabric under pea gravel, especially for pathways, patios, and garden beds. The fabric acts as a barrier, preventing weeds from growing up through the gravel and stopping the pea gravel from mixing with the soil or base layers below. This helps maintain the gravel’s appearance and function over time.
Q7: How much does a cubic yard of pea gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of pea gravel weighs approximately 2,400 to 2,800 pounds. This is roughly 1.2 to 1.4 tons. Knowing this can be useful for planning transportation or understanding the sheer volume of material you’re ordering.
Q8: Can I buy pea gravel online?
Yes, you can often purchase pea gravel online from various landscaping material suppliers. However, be aware that shipping costs for bulk materials can be significant, and you might not be able to see the actual gravel before it arrives. It’s usually best to buy from local suppliers if possible.
Final Thoughts on Pea Gravel Pricing
Deciphering how much is pea gravel per yard involves looking beyond just the sticker price. While the pea gravel cost can range from $20 to $60 per cubic yard for the material itself, the cost of pea gravel per cubic yard ultimately includes the factors of delivery, quantity, and the specific type you choose.
For most homeowners embarking on landscaping projects, purchasing pea gravel in bulk from a local landscape supply yard will offer the best value. By accurately calculating your needs and comparing prices, you can effectively manage your budget and achieve the beautiful, functional results you desire with this versatile and attractive landscaping material. Whether you’re aiming for a charming garden path or a practical play area, knowing the pea gravel price upfront will set you up for success.