Gravel in Waukegan, IL

You can, but we do not recommend laying gravel directly on uncompacted dirt in Waukegan. Local freeze-thaw cycles and clay pockets can cause settling and washout; a compacted base and proper grading will prevent rutting and drainage issues. For driveways and high-traffic areas, prepare the subgrade and add a crushed-stone base for best results.

Start with a well-graded and compacted subgrade, then install geotextile fabric if you have soft or clay soils to reduce mixing and weed growth. Add a 3-4 inch layer of compactable crushed stone (crusher run or similar) and compact before topping with the finish gravel. Edge restraints help keep material in place around borders.

In Waukegan and Lake County you will commonly find crushed limestone, pea gravel, river rock, and recycled concrete, reflecting regional quarries and glacial deposits. Crushed limestone and recycled stone are popular for driveways, while pea gravel and river rock are chosen for patios and decorative beds. Color and texture will vary based on local sourcing.

For durability choose an angular, crushed stone such as 3/4" crushed limestone or crushed trap rock that locks together and compacts well. These materials resist displacement and stand up better to freeze-thaw cycles common in northern Illinois. Avoid smooth, rounded stones for driveways because they shift and rut more easily.

Use a compacted base of crushed stone (1/4" minus or crusher run) about 3 inches thick, then a layer of coarse sand if you want a smooth finish, and consider geotextile fabric underneath to reduce mixing with the soil. This assembly improves drainage and prevents sinking and weed growth. Compact each layer before adding the pea gravel topcoat.

A 50 lb bag of pea gravel contains roughly 0.5 cubic feet of material and will cover about 5 to 6 square feet at a 1-inch depth. At a 2-inch depth the same bag covers roughly 2.5 to 3 square feet. For patios and walkways plan coverage by desired thickness and always buy a little extra for settling and clean-up.

For a typical single-car driveway 20 ft long by 10 ft wide, at 3 inches depth you need about 2.6 tons of material; at 4 inches depth you need about 3.5 tons. Hello Gravel has a 3-ton minimum order, so most single-car 20 ft driveways will meet that minimum at a 4-inch depth. Use the material calculator or contact us with your exact width and depth for a precise estimate.

Costs vary by material and service, but expect roughly $30 to $80 per ton for common gravels in northern Illinois. For 3 to 4 tons of material that equals about $90 to $320 for material, plus delivery and optional spreading fees which can add $0 to $200 depending on service. For an accurate price, check availability in your zip code and request a quote—Hello Gravel can provide local pricing and delivery options.

Gravel can last many years, but longevity depends on use and maintenance: garden paths can last decades, while driveways typically need periodic topping every 3 to 7 years. Waukegan's freeze-thaw cycles and wet springs can cause shifting, so proper installation and occasional regrading or added gravel will extend life. Regular maintenance like filling low spots and keeping edges contained keeps surfaces functional longer.

Yes, gravel is typically less expensive upfront than asphalt, concrete, or pavers for driveways and paths in the Waukegan area. It has lower material and installation costs but may require more maintenance over time, such as occasional regrading and topping. Consider life-cycle costs and intended use when deciding between gravel and harder surfacing.

Gravel generally provides good drainage and is well suited to Waukegan's wetter periods when installed over a compacted, free-draining base. Make sure you slope the area away from structures and use a base layer of crushed stone and geotextile fabric where needed to prevent washout. For low spots or areas with poor soil, increase depth of base material to improve stability and drainage.

Yes—Hello Gravel connects you with local suppliers and haulers serving Waukegan; check your zip code on our site for availability. Minimum order is 3 tons, so plan accordingly—small garden projects may need bagged material if you need less than 3 tons. Contact our team or use the material calculator to confirm quantities, pick delivery dates, and add order notes about preferred color or placement.

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.