On average, homeowners can expect to pay about $335 for pea gravel installation or between $0.86 and $3.78 per square foot.
For those looking for landscaping that is affordable, easy to install, and simple to maintain, pea gravel is the ideal choice. Pea gravel is composed of small stones rounded and smoothed by natural weathering. This versatile option comes in several color varieties and is perfect for building pathways, patios, or driveways.
In this article:
- Average costs
- Cost estimator by size
- Other factors that affect cost
- Related services
- Pro cost vs. DIY cost
- Cost by location
- FAQ
Average pea gravel installation costs in 2024
| National average cost | $335 |
| Typical price range | $275 – $395 |
| Extreme low end cost | $245 |
| Extreme high end cost | $1,235 |
The typical price range for pea gravel installation is between $275 and $395. The national average for pea gravel installation is $335.
While area size is the primary factor that determines the price of your project, other factors include:
- Purchasing by the bag vs buying in bulk
- Type of project
- Type of pea gravel
Pea gravel cost estimator by project size
The most significant factor impacting the price of pea gravel installation is the size of the area you wish to cover. Pea gravel costs between $0.86 and $3.78 per square foot.
We used the following examples of small, medium, and large project areas to calculate the approximate cost of your pea gravel project by size. We multiplied the project sizes by an average cost of $2.32 per square foot.
| Project size | Average overall cost |
| 100 square feet | $232 |
| 200 square feet | $464 |
| 400 square feet | $928 |
Other factors that affect cost
Other than size, several factors can affect the pricing of pea gravel, such as the type of pea gravel, what it will be used for, and how you buy it. Learn more below.
Type of project
The type of project will significantly affect the cost depending on the size of the area and the depth required. Specific projects may be more costly because they require extra depth to cover the same area. Gravel driveways, for example, require a depth of at least six inches to accommodate the weight of vehicles.
One way to consider both the area and depth of your project when calculating the amount of pea gravel needed is to use this formula:
(Length in Feet x Width in Feet x Depth in Feet) ÷ 27= Cubic Yards of Pea Gravel
This formula takes the square footage of the area multiplied by the required depth of the intended project to get the cubic footage of pea gravel required. With this information, we can divide by 27 (the number of cubic feet in a cubic yard) to get the amount of gravel needed in cubic yards. Pea gravel typically costs between $20 and $80 per cubic yard.
Below, we’ve calculated the cost of some common pea gravel projects using an average price of $50 per cubic yard.
| Project type | Recommended depth | Cubic yards of pea gravel | Average cost |
| Pathway (30′ x 4′) | 2 inches | 0.74 | $37 |
| Driveway (20′ x 24′) | 6 inches | 8.89 | $444 |
| Patio (10′ x 10′) | 6 inches | 1.85 | $92 |
| Flower bed (8′ x 5′) | 3 inches | 4.44 | $222 |
Bags vs. Bulk
Pea gravel costs vary based on whether you buy it by the bag or in bulk. Buying in bulk may be more cost-effective if you’re trying to cover a large area.
Bulk gravel is available for purchase by the ton and by the truckload. One bag of gravel will typically cover 0.5 cubic feet, while a ton of pea gravel covers an area of 100 square feet at 2 inches deep. One truckload typically carries 25 tons of pea gravel.
| Price of pea gravel per bag | $4 – $7 |
| Price of pea gravel per ton | $10 – $50 |
| Price of pea gravel per truckload | $250 – $500 |
Type of pea gravel
Plain pea gravel, which we’ve used in our calculations so far, usually comes in natural colors such as grey or brown. But there are more exciting options available, such as colorful or even glow-in-the-dark varieties, which are more expensive. These options can add an additional $30 to $60 to the cost of your pea gravel project.
If a landscaping pro is already installing a pea gravel path or driveway on your property, it may be worth it to inquire about these related services. Like installing pea gravel, these services can help make your landscape more low-maintenance and water-efficient.
Flower beds
Pea gravel can be a welcome addition to any backyard flower bed. It deters weed growth, protects your plants from wildlife, helps the soil retain moisture, and prevents erosion. Unlike mulch, pea gravel doesn’t need to be replaced every season. Typically, flower bed installations cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
Rock garden
A similar, lower-maintenance alternative to a traditional flower bed is a rock garden, which showcases drought-tolerant plants, rocks, and sculptures. Pea gravel is perfect for a rock garden.
How much your rock garden costs will depend largely on what kind of rocks you include. Landscape boulders cost between $100 and $900 per ton, while river rock costs between $60 and $170 per ton.
Xeriscaping
For homeowners in drought-prone areas, xeriscaping with pea gravel is an option that greatly reduces or eliminates water use from your landscape.
Xeriscaping involves blanketing your lawn in gravel, mulch, and native and drought-tolerant plants. It also typically includes drip irrigation and hardscape features. On average, xeriscaping costs homeowners $17,000 to install.
Exposed aggregate concrete
Exposed aggregate concrete is concrete that incorporates decorative stone such as pea gravel into its surface. The gravel is either mixed into the concrete or spread on top after the concrete is laid. This durable, slip-resistant surface is perfect for patios and pool decks. The cost of exposed aggregate concrete is around $6.35 per square foot.
Pro cost vs. DIY cost
Building your own gravel path, driveway, or patio can be a simple and relatively inexpensive endeavor. Because pea gravel hardscaping requires fewer tools and materials than other methods, it is easier to install yourself (and usually cheaper, too).
| DIY Equipment | Average Cost |
| Work gloves | $15 |
| Hammer | $20 |
| Measuring tape | $20 |
| Level | $15 |
| Garden rake | $20 |
| Garden hose with nozzle | $45 |
| Wheelbarrow | $65 |
| Square point/transfer Shovel | $30 |
| Tamper | $40 |
| Total Cost: | $270 |
It costs about $464 to cover a 200-square-foot area with pea gravel. If you factor in the cost of the other equipment needed to complete the project yourself, you will spend around $734.
When hiring a professional, you’re not just paying for the materials they use but also their labor, which ranges from $14 to $68 per hour. For a project that takes about 5 hours to complete at an average price of $41 per hour, you’re likely to spend about $669 for professional pea gravel installation.
If you don’t already own the equipment required for a pea gravel project or if the project is particularly large or complex, it may make more sense and be more cost-effective to go with a professional.
Cost of pea gravel by location
The best place to buy pea gravel is a local distributor. The farther your gravel has to travel to get to you, the more expensive it will be. You may need to inquire about some distributors’ minimum purchase requirements for delivery.
Delivery fees can add an extra $5 to $10 per mile to the cost of your pea gravel purchase, so you can expect to spend more than the typical averages discussed in this article if you live far away from any suppliers.
FAQ
Pea gravel hardscaping is relatively easy to maintain. Over time, foot traffic and weather may shift the stones slightly. Fixing this issue is as simple as raking the gravel back into place.
Snow removal can be difficult on pea gravel, though, because it tends to mix with the snow. If you’d rather hire someone else to handle this annoying chore for you, snow removal costs about $50 to $140 on average, although it may cost more if the pea gravel makes the job especially difficult.
Raking your pea gravel surface every now and then will help remove any debris that accumulates over time, such as twigs and leaves. Additionally, you may want to replenish the area with fresh pea gravel every few years.
A base of crushed stone or landscape fabric can provide extra stability to your pea gravel project and prevent weed growth. Adding a border to the area can also discourage the loose stones from traveling.
Final thoughts
Pea gravel is a flexible, aesthetically appealing option for those looking to add features such as pathways, patios, and driveways to their outdoor space. This material offers your yard a natural look while preventing weed growth and erosion.
Homeowners looking to hire a pro to install pea gravel can expect to pay $335 on average. There are multiple varieties of pea gravel, so reach out to a local landscaping company to find out what they offer and get a quote for your specific project.
Note: Lawn Love may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Photo by: Charlie O’Donnell – Wikimedia Commons – CC BY-SA 2.0
