Gravel in Boston, MA

Material-only delivery for common gravels in Boston typically ranges roughly $35 to $80 per ton depending on type (pea gravel at the low end, decorative bluestone at the high end) and site access. Installation costs vary: basic spreading and compaction for a small patio or driveway often adds $1 to $4 per sq ft, while more complex jobs with base prep can cost more. Example: a 12'x20' driveway at 3" depth needs about 3.1 tons (meets our 3-ton minimum) and you should expect to pay for the material plus any labor or access fees.

For Boston winters choose angular, well-graded materials that lock and compact: 3/4" minus or crushed stone (including crushed bluestone where available) generally perform best because they resist migration and frost heave when properly installed. Pea gravel and rounded stone look nice but tend to shift under plows and heavy snow, so they are better for low-traffic decorative areas. Adding a stable compacted base and edge restraints improves winter performance for any gravel.

Use this quick guide (assuming a typical compacted density ~1.4 tons per cubic yard): per square foot: 2" = 0.0086 tons, 3" = 0.0130 tons, 6" = 0.0259 tons. Per square yard (9 sq ft): 2" = 0.078 tons, 3" = 0.117 tons, 6" = 0.233 tons. For a practical check, 100 sq ft at 3" depth needs about 1.3 tons; always round up and allow 5-10% extra for compaction and waste.

Boston and Massachusetts don’t have a single statewide ban on gravel driveways, but local rules can apply: some Boston neighborhoods, historic districts, and HOAs set material or appearance rules. Large changes to impervious area or work in protected zones may trigger stormwater or building permits, and projects affecting curb cuts or sidewalks often require city approval. Before you order, check Boston Inspectional Services and any HOA or historic commission for site-specific requirements.

Gravel can be displaced by plows and will require periodic top-ups after heavy winters; using larger, angular stone and installing edge restraints reduces migration. Salt itself won’t instantly dissolve most aggregates but can accelerate breakdown of fines and affect nearby vegetation, so expect more maintenance where salt is heavily applied. Seasonal care includes regrading after storms, topping up low spots in spring, and communicating plow height with commercial snow crews to limit material loss.

Hello Gravel requires a minimum 3-ton order and delivers via contracted dump trucks (typically tri-axle) with standard lead time of 2+ business days; next-day delivery is available for orders placed before noon CST for an additional fee. In Boston’s older, narrow streets and dense neighborhoods, deliveries may need smaller trucks, alley access, or special parking permits, which can affect price and timing. Add load/placement notes at checkout and our team will coordinate with local suppliers and drivers about curb access and drop location.

Gravel has the lowest upfront cost per square foot but requires regular maintenance (regrading, topping up) and is more vulnerable to plowing damage in Boston’s winters, so lifecycle costs can rise. Asphalt costs more up front and usually lasts longer between major repairs (typically 15-25 years with proper installation), while pavers are most expensive initially but can last 25+ years and allow easier localized repairs and better drainage. For short-term budgets choose gravel; for longer-term durability and heavy plow traffic, asphalt or properly installed pavers are often more cost-effective.

Contractors commonly recommend excavating to stable subgrade, removing organic material, and installing geotextile fabric where soils are clay or near the coast to separate and stabilize the base. A compacted base of 4" to 6" of crushed stone (3/4" minus or similar) compacted in 2" lifts is standard; in poor soils contractors often increase base depth to 6" to 8" and add a coarser drainage layer. Proper slope (minimum 1-2% away from structures), edge restraints, and mechanical compaction are essential for long-term performance.

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.