Gravel in Denver, CO

Costs vary by material and amount, but plan on roughly $40 to $120 per ton delivered in the Denver area. A typical tri-axle dump truck carries about 10 to 16 tons, so a single truckload usually runs about $400 to $1,900 delivered depending on gravel type, amount, and site access. Hello Gravel has a 3-ton minimum and offers transparent delivery pricing at checkout.

One ton of gravel is roughly 0.7 cubic yards and will cover about 230 sq ft at 1 inch depth, about 115 sq ft at 2 inches, and about 76 sq ft at 3 inches. Coverage changes with the gravel type and how much it settles after spreading, so add a small extra allowance for compaction and grading.

Buying bulk delivered gravel is almost always cheaper per ton than buying bagged material. Choosing commonly available local materials like crusher run, bank run, or recycled crushed concrete will lower costs; use Hello Gravel to compare local supplier quotes and delivery fees before you order.

A 50 lb bag is about 0.025 tons (roughly 0.6 cubic feet) and will cover roughly 6 sq ft at 1 inch depth or about 3 sq ft at 2 inches. For projects larger than a few square feet, bulk delivery is more cost-effective than many bags.

Costs depend on length, width, depth, and material. For example, a 20 ft wide by 40 ft long driveway (800 sq ft) at 3 inches depth needs about 10–12 tons of gravel; at $40–$120 per ton that’s roughly $400–$1,500 for material plus delivery and any base or grading work. Denver-specific factors like drainage, freeze-thaw cycles, and permit or curb work can increase prep or installation costs.

Two inches is generally too thin for a driveway that will carry regular vehicle traffic; it works for walkways, patios, or a top dressing over an existing compacted base. For driveways in Denver, a 3–4 inch finish layer over a properly prepared base (and thicker base for heavier vehicles) is recommended to resist rutting and displacement.

You first need width and desired depth. For a typical single-car driveway 40 ft long by 10–12 ft wide at 3 inches depth, expect roughly 4.5–5.5 cubic yards or about 6–8 tons of gravel. Use the calculator: area (sq ft) x depth (ft) = cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by local tons-per-cubic-yard to get tons.

Gravel itself doesn’t 'expire' but a gravel surface will shift, thin, and develop low spots over time. In Denver’s climate you can expect to add material or regrade every 3–10 years depending on traffic, drainage, and maintenance; high-traffic driveways may need topping more often.

A tri-axle dump truck carrying 10–16 tons will typically cover about 1,150 to 1,800 sq ft at a 2-inch depth (rough range based on material weight). Actual coverage depends on the truck’s load in tons, the gravel’s density, and the compacted depth you need.

Recycled crushed concrete or reclaimed asphalt are common lower-cost alternatives to natural gravel and are widely available in the Denver area. They perform differently for drainage and appearance, so check local availability and suitability for your project before choosing them.

Gravel is typically much cheaper up front than poured concrete. Gravel materials and delivery can cost a few dollars per square foot installed, while concrete pours usually run several times that amount; however, concrete has lower routine maintenance while gravel needs periodic topping and regrading, so consider long-term maintenance costs.

Local, commonly produced mixes such as crusher run, bank run, or recycled crushed concrete are usually the least expensive options. Prices vary by supplier and proximity to quarries or recycling yards, so Hello Gravel can help you compare local options and delivery costs.

A 7x14 dump trailer with 14 ft length and 7 ft width typically carries about 3 to 5 cubic yards of material depending on the sidewall height. For gravel that equals roughly 4 to 7 tons depending on the material density, so check trailer specs and local weight limits before loading.

At 2 inches depth, 20 tons of gravel will cover roughly 2,300 to 2,500 sq ft; at 3 inches it will cover about 1,500 to 1,700 sq ft. Exact coverage depends on gravel density and whether you compact or allow settlement, so order a little extra for grading and low spots.

For a 10x10 area (100 sq ft), a 2-inch depth needs about 0.6 cubic yards or roughly 0.8–1 ton of pea gravel. Keep in mind Hello Gravel’s 3-ton minimum for bulk delivery in many areas; for smaller amounts you can buy bags locally or add extra area to reach the minimum.