Gravel in Olympia, WA

Prices vary by rock type and delivery, but in Olympia you can usually expect delivered gravel to fall in a broad range. As a rough estimate (mid-2024), common crushed rock and base gravels typically run roughly $30 to $70 per ton (about $40 to $90 per cubic yard) delivered, with premium decorative gravels or small loads costing more. Ask for a local quote because material type, distance, and truck access directly affect price.

For Olympia’s rainy, clay-prone soils, use angular, crushed rock that locks together (for example 3/4" crushed stone, DGA/dense grade aggregate, or 1-1/2" minus for base). Pea gravel or rounded river rock can be attractive for walkways but will shift and sink in clay unless a stable crushed base and fabric are installed underneath. Use a layered approach: aggregate base (crushed rock), then a compacted top course that suits the project.

A 12x40 ft driveway is 480 sq ft. At 3" deep you need about 4.44 cubic yards (around 6.2 tons); at 4" deep you need about 5.93 cubic yards (around 8.3 tons) using a typical conversion of 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Always add about 10% for compaction, grading losses, or uneven subgrade when ordering.

Permit needs depend on project scope and location. Small residential driveways often do not need a building permit, but curb cuts, work in the public right-of-way, stormwater management, or projects in sensitive areas may require city or county permits or permits for erosion control. Check with the City of Olympia Public Works and Thurston County Planning before you start, and mention the project to your supplier if driveway or right-of-way work is involved.

Heavy rain and damp conditions increase erosion, washout, and moss growth on fine gravels. Choose angular, washed aggregates and provide good drainage (subgrade slope, swales, or drainpipes), install edging to keep material in place, and plan for regular regrading and topping after winter storms. Proper compaction and a solid base layer reduce maintenance and help prevent rutting in wet seasons.

With proper base preparation and periodic upkeep, a gravel driveway can last 10 to 20 years, though the top surface will need ongoing attention. Expect to regrade and add fresh gravel (1 to 2 inches) every 3 to 7 years and to perform light regrading and compaction after heavy storms or spring thaws. Routine maintenance (clearing vegetation, fixing ruts, maintaining drains) keeps the surface serviceable and extends life.

Gravel is the most affordable up-front, drains well, and is easiest to repair, but it requires more frequent maintenance and can wash out in heavy rain. Asphalt gives a smooth, lower-maintenance surface than gravel but is impermeable and more expensive up-front; it can also soften in summer heat problems in some situations. Concrete is longest lasting but costliest and also impermeable; choose based on budget, drainage needs, and how much maintenance you want to do.

Common additional costs include delivery fees for small or difficult-access jobs, optional spreading labor, compaction (equipment rental or contractor), geotextile fabric, edging, disposal of old material, and any necessary permit or drainage work. Hello Gravel’s platform shows delivery options and you can request spreading at checkout, but ask for a complete quote so you know which extras apply to your site.

For good drainage, use open-graded, angular rock such as 3/4" to 1-1/2" crushed stone or a washed gravel mix that allows water to move through. On steep or sloped sites choose larger, angular rock that interlocks (1-1/2" minus or larger) and combine it with terraces, retaining walls, or drainage swales and geotextile fabric to prevent washout. For severe runoff, install subdrains or perforated drainpipe tied into proper outlets.

Hello Gravel connects you with local Olympia-area suppliers and haulers rather than sending Hello Gravel-branded trucks. Typical minimums vary by supplier but Hello Gravel requires a minimum order of 3 tons; many local suppliers deliver by tri-axle dump truck and may have minimum cubic yard or ton requirements and small-load fees. Enter your zip code on the site to see local material options, pricing, and delivery availability.

Clear the drop area of cars, low branches, and obstacles and leave a clear access path for a dump truck (tri-axle trucks need room to turn and back up). Mark the preferred drop location with cones or stakes and tell the dispatcher if the ground is soft, the access is narrow, or there are overhead lines; drivers can refuse unsafe drops. If you want spreading, request it at checkout and expect the driver to assess whether spreading is safe and feasible on arrival.

Drivers may offer tailgate spreading at their discretion, and you can request the service during checkout, but it is not guaranteed. Drivers will assess safety, access, and the pile location on arrival and may decline if conditions are unsafe or would damage the truck. If you require precise spreading or finished grading, plan to hire a contractor or arrange additional labor when placing your order.

As of today, we require 2 business days for delivery.

Use our material calculator here: https://hellogravel.com/calculator/ to enter the length, width and depth measurements of your project. It will automatically calculate the cubic yards/tons needed. If you are unsure how much to order, contact our team for guidance.

Please type in your zip code on any product screen and it will let you know if we service your area. The chances are that we do!

The material will be delivered via dump truck. If your order is under 20 tons, then it will likely be just one dump truck load. If your order is more than 20 tons, it will be more than one dump truck load.

Absolutely! Try our aggregate quiz here: https://hellogravel.com/aggregate-quiz/ Alternatively,you can call us, chat with us (box in the bottom right corner of the website), or email us!

We cannot get out of the truck and manually spread it. However, depending on the location, safety, and comfortability of the driver – we may be able to tailgate spread your material. This involves pulling the truck forward as material is being dumped to make it easier for you to distribute material after delivery.

The minimum order size is 3 tons.

Hassle Free! Our goal is to make the buying process for gravel and other aggregates as easy and seamless as possible. Enter your zip code on our site, select how much material you need (see below FAQ’s to determine order size), select the date and time frame you would like your material delivered at Checkout, and place your order with any major credit card. After the order is placed our in-house support team will contact you to confirm the details. We will send additional confirmations on the day before and the day of delivery. On delivery day, a dump truck will arrive to dump the materials at your specified location. We request that you have someone available to accept the delivery so that we can make sure to dump it in the correct location. That’s it!

No, because we are a national supplier, we utilize our existing network of suppliers across the country. Therefore, the materials will likely be delivered from a contracted trucking company.

We specialize in making the aggregate buying process as easy and seamless as possible by managing the process from end to end. We have a network of suppliers that we source the materials from where we have negotiated rates. However, we do charge a markup and because of this you may be able to find the materials cheaper on your own. But if you want a hassle free experience, then we are for you!

Please fill out the Quote Request form and we will work up a quote for you! https://hellogravel.com/quote-form/

Although uncommon, due to regional sourcing, the type and color of our materials may vary somewhat from the images on our website, reflecting the unique geological offerings of your area. Please communicate any specifications you desire to our team so we can consider them during the sourcing process.

Please contact our customer service team promptly if you experience any delivery or product quality issues. We will work to resolve them satisfactorily.

We are headquartered in New Orleans, LA. However, we have a network of suppliers across the country from which we provide the materials.