Gravel in El Segundo, CA

One ton of common decorative or crushed gravel covers roughly 115 square feet at 2 inches of depth (about 0.7 cubic yards per ton). Many El Segundo orders qualify for free delivery, but local delivery fees when charged typically run $50 to $200 depending on distance and load size. Material-only prices vary by type and quality, roughly $65 to $150 per ton locally; installation (grading, base, compaction, topcoat) usually adds $3 to $12 per square foot depending on scope. For exact quantities and costs, use our material calculator or request a local quote.

A typical tri-axle dump truck carries about 12 to 14 cubic yards of material, which for gravel equals roughly 17 to 20 tons (1 cubic yard ≈ 1.4 tons). At a 2-inch depth, one ton covers about 115 square feet, so a 12-ton load would cover approximately 1,380 square feet while a 17-ton load covers about 1,960 square feet. For a 10-foot-wide driveway, a 12-ton load at 2 inches would stretch about 138 feet, but required depth and base thickness will change these numbers. Check your zip code on our site to see local truck sizes and delivery availability.

Assuming a single-car driveway 20 feet long by 10 feet wide (200 square feet), expect material-only costs for a basic gravel surface to run about $300 to $1,200 depending on product and tons needed. Add site prep, grading, a compacted 4-inch crushed-rock base, and compaction and you’re typically looking at $1,200 to $3,500 total as a general ballpark. Final price depends on driveway width, access, existing soil, and whether additional drainage or edging is required, so we recommend a local site estimate.

Two inches of loose gravel is generally too thin for a driveway that will carry cars; it will spread and rut quickly. We recommend a compacted base of 4 to 6 inches of crushed rock (for structural support) topped with 1 to 2 inches of finished gravel or decorative stone. For walkways and low-traffic paths, 2 to 3 inches of finished gravel over fabric can be acceptable.

In El Segundo’s coastal soils you should not generally place gravel directly on bare dirt. A compacted crushed-rock base and geotextile fabric are recommended to prevent sinking and mixing with native soils, and proper drainage or edge restraint reduces washout during storms. Typical added costs for fabric and base prep range from about $0.30 to $1.00 per square foot for fabric and $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot for base and compaction depending on site conditions.

For a driveway that firms up, crushed gravel with fines (crusher run or 3/4u0022 minus) or recycled asphalt are the best choices because the small particles lock together when compacted. Pea gravel and smooth river rock remain loose and are poor choices for drive surfaces. In El Segundo, crushed rock and recycled asphalt are commonly available and typically cost $65 to $120 per ton, while decorative pea gravel or river rock may be pricier and sometimes limited by regional supply.

Pea gravel is not recommended where traction, vehicle turning, or slope stability are important, and it tends to track into homes and landscaping in coastal settings. Better alternatives we offer include crushed rock (3/4u0022 angular), crusher run, stabilized decomposed granite, and recycled asphalt, which provide firmer surfaces and better long-term performance. Choice depends on appearance goals and traffic needs, so ask our team for local samples and pricing.

Common downsides include dust and tracking into the house, weed growth through the surface, displacement during heavy rain or from vehicles, and some buildup of fine sand in coastal areas. Typical annual maintenance tasks are topping up material, regrading, and weed control; homeowners often spend about $50 to $400 per year depending on driveway size and how much maintenance they do themselves versus hiring help. Using fabric, proper edging, and choosing angular crushed stone reduces many issues and lowers long-term upkeep.

Cheaper alternatives to decorative gravel include recycled asphalt, crusher run, and compacted decomposed granite; these materials often cost less and compact more firmly. Material-only supply prices in El Segundo commonly range from about $40 to $100 per ton for recycled asphalt or crusher run, while decorative gravels tend to be $65 to $150 per ton. Installed costs vary widely: expect roughly $2 to $6 per square foot for basic recycled asphalt installs, $3 to $8 per square foot for crushed gravel installs, and significantly more for paving or high-end finishes.

A 50 lb bag of gravel will cover about 3 square feet at a 2-inch depth, so bags are only practical for very small projects or touch-ups. Bulk delivery is far more economical for most home projects; Hello Gravel’s minimum bulk order is 3 tons and bulk pricing per ton is much lower than buying many individual bags. Check our site for bag availability in El Segundo or contact our team for the best bulk option and delivery estimate.

Use this quick rule: multiply your area in square feet by desired depth in inches, then divide by 162 to get cubic yards; multiply cubic yards by 1.4 to estimate tons (area x depth / 162 = cubic yards; cubic yards x 1.4 = tons). For example, a 200 sq ft patio at 2 inches needs about 200 x 2 / 162 ≈ 2.47 cubic yards, about 3.5 tons. Our online material calculator will do this automatically and account for waste and compaction factors.