Gravel in Union Gap, WA

Prices vary by type and supplier, but expect roughly $25 to $65 per ton delivered in the Union Gap/Yakima Valley area, or about $35 to $90 per cubic yard depending on material (pea gravel, crushed rock, river rock) and delivery distance. Specialty materials (decorative river rock, washed DG) and next-day delivery add to cost. Ask Hello Gravel to get exact local quotes for your zip code.

For driveways, 3/4u0022 crushed rock or crushed aggregate (also called road base topped with 3/4u0022 minus) is the best all-around choice in Union Gap because it compacts well and resists migration. Decomposed granite and stabilized blends work for low-traffic driveways and paths but may need periodic maintenance in freeze-thaw spots. Pea gravel and loose river rock look nice but tend to move and rut unless contained or stabilized, so they are less ideal for primary driveways.

A 12x40 ft driveway is 480 sq ft. At 2u0022 depth you need about 3.0 cubic yards (≈4 to 4.5 tons); at 3u0022 depth about 4.4 cubic yards (≈5.5 to 6 tons); at 4u0022 depth about 5.9 cubic yards (≈7.5 to 8 tons). For a stable driveway use a compacted 4u0022 to 6u0022 base of road base plus a 2u0022 to 3u0022 wearing course; total material will increase accordingly. Hello Gravel has a calculator if you want a precise, order-ready estimate.

Hello Gravel's minimum order is typically 3 tons, and delivery is by tri-axle dump trucks in our network. Make sure driveway and site access allow for a large dump truck: generally 12 to 16 ft clear width, stable ground to support a loaded truck, and no low-hanging wires or tight turns. Add delivery notes at checkout and contact our team if you have access concerns—drivers will assess on arrival and may refuse unsafe drops.

Upfront, gravel is the least expensive: roughly $1 to $4 per sq ft installed for a basic gravel driveway, while asphalt is typically $3 to $7 per sq ft and concrete $4 to $10 per sq ft. Over 5–10 years gravel requires periodic grading and adding new stone (every few years), while asphalt needs sealcoating and pothole repair and concrete may need joint and crack repairs. Gravel is cheaper initially but needs more frequent, low-cost maintenance; asphalt and concrete cost more up front but often need less frequent major maintenance.

Labor and compaction costs depend on site prep complexity. For a straightforward driveway expect contractor labor and compaction to run roughly $500 to $2,000 for a 12x40 area (more for difficult grading or heavier equipment), or about $1 to $4 per sq ft extra on top of material costs. Pricing will rise if excavation, base import, drainage work, or edging installation is needed—get local bids for accurate numbers.

Union Gap sits in a semi-arid valley with hot summers and occasional cold snaps; freeze-thaw is less extreme than wetter climates but can still cause heaving in poorly prepared bases. Gravel drains well when installed over a compacted, well-graded base and with correct slope, which reduces frost issues and erosion. Use geotextile fabric, a compacted crushed-rock base, and edge restraint to control migration and erosion in seasonal runoff events.

Recycled crushed concrete is commonly available in the Yakima area and can be a cost-effective alternative to virgin aggregate for base layers and driveway fill. It compacts well and is usually cheaper, but color and fine-content can vary and it may contain more fines than new crushed stone, which affects drainage and appearance. For top dressing and decorative finishes many homeowners prefer virgin or washed gravel, but recycled material is fine for subbase and structural use.

Permitting rules vary: minor resurfacing within a private driveway often does not need a building permit, but changes to the driveway approach to a public street, curb cuts, or new road connections usually require review and permits from Union Gap or Yakima County public works. Always check with Union Gap city public works or Yakima County before altering the street approach; Hello Gravel can help you plan but cannot pull permits for you.

Buy a quality geotextile fabric under the base to reduce weeds, install a compacted 4u0022 to 6u0022 crushed-rock base for stability, and add a durable edge (steel, concrete, or treated timber) to keep gravel contained. For weed suppression, avoid light-weight landscape fabric on top of the gravel; instead, place fabric below the base and use a thick gravel layer plus occasional spot herbicide or manual weeding. If you expect heavy traffic, consider a stabilizer grid or polymer-stabilized gravel to reduce migration and maintenance.