Dedicated Project Estimator
River Rock vs Pea Gravel Comparison & Calculator
Compare tons, coverage area per ton, and total costs between small pea gravel and medium decorative river stones.
⚡ Pre-configured Presets 🚚 Dump Truck Delivery Breakdown 📋 Quarry Order Specs Generator 🛡️ Compaction & Settling Buffer
⚡ Instant Scenario Presets (1-Click Auto-Fill):
1. Select Project Shape
Enter positive numbers for all dimensions and depth.
Unit System:
2. Enter Dimensions
Standard path: 2.5-3", Driveway: 4-6", Drainage: 8-12"
3. Select Gravel Aggregate & Density
4. Add Waste & Compaction Buffer
TOTAL GRAVEL NEEDED
2.72 TONS
5,444 lbs total weight Bulk Quarry Volume & Truck Loads
Volume (Cubic Yards): 1.94 cu yds
Volume (Cubic Feet): 52.50 cu ft
Estimated Delivery Truck Loads:
🚛 Tri-Axle (15T): 1 load 🚚 Tandem (10T): 1 load 🛻 Single Axle (5T): 1 load
Retail Bagged Order (Store Pickup)
0.5 cu ft Bags (Home Depot/Lowe's): 105 Bags
50 lb Bags: 109 Bags
Estimated Cost Comparison
Bulk Material Cost: $109 - $177
Bulk Delivery Freight (Est): $75 - $120
Total Bagged Retail Est: $473 - $630
🛠️ Interactive Tool
Gravel Layer & Excavation Cross-Section Simulator
Visualize multi-layer ground excavation, plate compaction settling, and dump truck hauling logistics in real-time.
2.0 inches
1" (Thin) 2.5" (Standard) 6" (Heavy)
4.0 inches
0" (None) 4" (Standard Base) 12" (Heavy Drainage)
600 sq ft
50 sq ft 1,000 sq ft 2,500 sq ft
Compaction Shrinkage Analysis (+18%)
To achieve a final compacted depth of 6.0 inches, you must spread 7.1 inches of loose uncompacted aggregate before running the plate compactor.
Cross-Section Elevation Profile
Ground Level (Grade 0.0")
🪨 Surface Layer: Washed #57 / Pea Stone 2.0 in
━━━━ Non-Woven Geotextile Separation Fabric ━━━━
🏗️ Sub-Base Course: Compacted Crusher Run / DGA 4.0 in
🌱 Native Subgrade Soil (Compacted Loam/Clay) Excavation Floor
0"
Total: 6.0" Depth
6.0"
Hauling Capacity 1 Tandem Truck
Wheelbarrow Trips 41 Trips
Total Material Weight 5.00 Tons
Recommended Depth & Base Specifications for River Rock vs Pea Gravel Estimator
Selecting the proper installation depth is the single most critical factor in preventing premature rutting, sinking, or weed breakthrough.
| Layer / Application | Recommended Depth | Stone Aggregate Type | Contractor Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel Installation | 2.5 Inches | 3/8" Washed Round Pea Stone | Covers ~100 sq ft per ton at 2.5" depth. Comfortable for bare feet and dogs. |
| River Rock Installation | 3.5 Inches | 1" - 3" Smooth River Cobble | Covers ~75 sq ft per ton at 3.5" depth. Stays in place during torrential downpours. |
💡 Contractor Installation Pro Tips
- River rock covers less square footage per ton because larger stone diameters leave thicker gaps that require deeper coverage.
- Use pea gravel for high-traffic walking paths and river rock for garden perimeter beds and downspout drainage.
Frequently Asked Questions About River Rock vs Pea Gravel Estimator
Which is cheaper, pea gravel or river rock?
Standard pea gravel is typically 15% to 25% cheaper per ton than multi-colored sorted river cobbles.
Missing a Stone Type or Have Feedback?
We update density presets and formulas regularly based on local quarry feedback.