Gravel in Houston, TX

Typical Houston price ranges (ballpark): common crushed stone/road base: $20 - $45 per ton ($30 - $60 per cubic yard). Decorative pea gravel or washed limestone: $35 - $80 per ton ($45 - $100 per cubic yard). Final price depends on material type, quantity, and delivery - request a local Hello Gravel quote for an exact price.

Use this quick method: 1) Measure area in square feet. 2) Decide finished depth in inches. 3) Cubic yards needed = (area x depth in inches) / 324. 4) Convert to tons by multiplying cubic yards by about 1.3 - 1.5 (typical gravel density). Example - 500 sq ft at 2" needs about 3.1 cubic yards (500 x 2 / 324) - roughly 4 - 5 tons.

One ton of typical gravel is about 0.7 - 0.8 cubic yards (varies by material). Using 0.75 yd3: - At 1" depth: ~225 - 240 sq ft - At 2" depth: ~110 - 120 sq ft - At 3" depth: ~75 - 80 sq ft These are approximations - exact coverage varies with stone size and compaction.

Residential deliveries vary by truck size. A common small dump truck delivers 8 - 14 cubic yards (roughly 10 - 20 tons depending on material). That may cover: - A 1" layer over 2,500 - 4,000 sq ft or - A 2" layer over 1,200 - 2,000 sq ft Always check the truck capacity on your Hello Gravel quote - they list cubic yards and tons so you know exactly what will be delivered.

Ways to save: - Buy in bulk - per-ton price drops with larger orders. - Choose a local, commonly produced material (e.g., crushed limestone or road base) rather than specialty decorative stone. - Combine delivery with neighbors and split cost. - Use Hello Gravel to compare local suppliers and get competitive delivered pricing.

Free gravel opportunities are limited. Possible sources: - Construction or demolition sites occasionally give away clean fill - Local classified listings or community groups - Municipal projects or cleanups If you find free material, verify stone quality and contamination - dirty fill can cause drainage and compaction problems. Hello Gravel can supply affordable, clean material with delivery if reclaimed options look risky.

Common effective driveway build-up: 1) 4 - 6" compacted road base (crushed limestone or recycled base) for strength and load distribution. 2) 2 - 3" top layer of #57 gravel or crushed stone for drainage and a stable driving surface. In Houston you should favor angular crushed stone (locks together) and good drainage because of heavy rains and expansive clay soils.

Typical recommendations: - Driveway base (compacted): 4 - 6" - Driveway top layer: 2 - 3" - Walkways and patios (finished layer): 2 - 3" - Base under pavers: 3 - 4" compacted base plus 1 - 2" bedding stone Adjust depth for expected loads - heavier vehicles require deeper base - and always compact in layers for stability.

Yes - many homeowners install gravel themselves. Basic steps: 1) Mark and remove vegetation/topsoil. 2) Install geotextile fabric if needed for weed control and separation. 3) Add and compact base material in 2 - 3" lifts using a plate compactor. 4) Spread top gravel and rake smooth. Essential tools: shovel, wheelbarrow, landscape rake, plate compactor, string line, gloves, and safety glasses. For driveways or large areas consider renting equipment or hiring pros.

A rough conversion: one ton of gravel is about 0.7 - 0.8 cubic yards or about 19 - 20 cubic feet. A 5-gallon bucket is about 0.67 cubic feet, so one ton is roughly 28 - 30 five-gallon buckets. This is an approximation - actual count varies with stone size and packing.

One cubic yard of gravel typically weighs about 1.3 - 1.6 tons (so roughly 1.4 tons is a common average). Variation occurs because of stone type, moisture content, and particle size - denser materials and wet stone weigh more. Use the density in your Hello Gravel quote for exact conversions.

Example scenario - 100 ft long x 10 ft wide = 1,000 sq ft. If you want a 6" compacted base plus 2" top (total 8" finished assumes compacted lifts): - Use formula to get cubic yards (area x depth / 324). For a 2" top only: 1,000 x 2 / 324 = ~6.2 cubic yards, about 8 - 10 tons. Base material will be additional. Ballpark costs: - Materials only for top layer at $40/ton: $320 - $400 - Add base material, compaction labor, and delivery - total homeowner-installed cost often $800 - $2,500 depending on scope. Get a Hello Gravel quote for precise pricing based on materials and delivery.

Example for 500 sq ft: - For a 2" finished layer: cubic yards = 500 x 2 / 324 = ~3.1 yd3. - Tons = 3.1 x 1.4 = ~4.3 tons. - Material cost at $40/ton = about $170 - Add delivery and compaction/installation costs. This shows how to estimate quickly - exact price requires chosen stone type and delivery distance.

10x10 patio (100 sq ft): - 2" layer: 100 x 2 / 324 = 0.62 yd3 - ~0.9 - 1.0 tons. 12x12 patio (144 sq ft): - 2" layer: 144 x 2 / 324 = 0.89 yd3 - ~1.2 - 1.4 tons. For a compacted base under pavers add 3 - 4" of base material - that increases quantities - use the same formula with the desired depth.

At typical Houston delivered rates of $30 - $60 per ton, a 20-ton order would generally cost between $600 and $1,200 for material. Delivery may be included or added depending on supplier and distance - Hello Gravel quotes show delivered price so you can see the full cost up front.

Hello Gravel connects you with local suppliers and haulers - many Houston-area deliveries are available with free local delivery in certain zones. Minimums and free-delivery thresholds vary by supplier and neighborhood. The Hello Gravel checkout will show delivery availability, any minimum order, and the delivered price before you confirm.

Houston has heavy rains and clay soils, so: - Provide positive slope away from structures for drainage. - Install a compacted road base under driveways to prevent rutting. - Use geotextile fabric where water or fine soils may mix with aggregate. - Consider perimeter drains or French drains for areas with standing water. Proper prep prevents washouts and reduces maintenance.

Common choices: - Pea gravel: rounded small stone - good for decorative areas and drainage but moves under traffic. - #57 (crushed stone): angular, locks together - excellent for driveways and paths. - Crushed limestone/road base: strong, compacts well - great base layer. - Screenings (crusher fines): fine particles that compact - good as bedding for pavers or a smooth finish but can become muddy if not properly drained. Choose materials based on function - base strength, appearance, and drainage needs.