Types of Gravel: Complete Guide with Pictures
Gravel is any loose collection of rock fragments, either mined and crushed at a quarry or worn naturally rounded by water and weather. The word covers a dozen distinct materials with different sizes, shapes, and jobs, and picking the wrong one is an expensive mistake on a driveway or landscaping project. Of the roughly 1.5 billion tons of crushed stone the US produces each year, about 70% is limestone and dolomite, according to U.S. Geological Survey crushed stone statistics, which is why so many products share the same gray look but behave very differently underfoot. This guide breaks down ten common types of gravel with photos, sizing, and pricing, so you can browse all gravel and stone with a clear picture of what you’re buying.
All Gravel Types Compared
This table lines up the ten types of gravel homeowners and contractors order most, so you can compare size, shape, and cost before reading the details below.
| Type | Size Range | Shape | Best Use | Typical Cost/Ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #57 Crushed Stone | 3/4-1 in | Angular | Driveways, drainage | $40-60 |
| Crusher Run | Dust-3/4 in | Angular | Compacted base | $35-55 |
| Pea Gravel | 3/8 in | Rounded | Walkways, patios | $45-65 |
| River Rock | 1-4 in | Rounded | Decorative beds | $60-100 |
| Decomposed Granite | Fine, sandy | Angular fines | Firm paths, patios | $50-70 |
| Crushed Concrete (RCA) | 3/4-1.5 in | Angular | Budget base | $20-35 |
| Road Base | Dust-1.5 in | Angular | Engineered sub-base | $30-50 |
| Screenings (Stone Dust) | Under 1/4 in | Angular fines | Leveling, joints | $30-45 |
| Marble/White Chips | 3/8-3/4 in | Angular | Accent beds | $80-150 |
| Rip Rap | 4-24 in | Angular | Erosion control | $50-100 |
Types of Gravel for Driveways and Structural Bases
These three types of gravel share one job: carrying weight without shifting.
#57 Crushed Stone
#57 crushed stone is angular chunks roughly 3/4 to 1 inch that lock together under weight instead of rolling apart, making it the most common driveway topping and drainage fill in the US. Best for driveways, drainage trenches, and French drains, typically $40 to $60 per ton.
Crusher Run
Crusher run mixes stone dust with crushed rock from dust up to 3/4 inch, and once compacted it packs down almost as hard as a poured surface, answering the common question of what gravel hardens like concrete. It’s a base layer, not a wearing surface, best for driveway and patio bases, typically $35 to $55 per ton.
Road Base
Road base is an engineered blend of crushed rock and fines sized from dust to about 1.5 inches, built to compact into a dense, load-bearing foundation for driveways carrying more than a passenger car. Typically $30 to $50 per ton.
Types of Gravel for Walkways, Patios and Decor
These three answer to comfort and looks first, structure second.
Pea Gravel
Pea gravel is small, naturally rounded stone about 3/8 inch across, smooth enough to walk on barefoot and easy to rake back into shape. Best for walkways, patios, and playgrounds, typically $45 to $65 per ton.
River Rock
River rock covers larger, water-rounded stones from about 1 to 4 inches, prized for the smooth, mixed color from natural tumbling. It’s decorative and good for drainage, not heavy foot or vehicle traffic since it shifts. Typically $60 to $100 per ton.
Decomposed Granite
Decomposed granite is weathered granite crushed to a fine, sandy texture that compacts into a firm, natural-looking surface with good drainage. Best for garden paths, patios, and dog runs, typically $50 to $70 per ton.
Types of Gravel for Budget and Specialty Projects
These four fill the gaps: recycled savings, fine leveling, bright accents, and heavy-duty erosion work.
Crushed Concrete (RCA)
Crushed concrete, also called recycled concrete aggregate, is reclaimed concrete crushed into angular chunks from 3/4 to 1.5 inches. It compacts nearly as well as virgin crushed stone at a lower price, making it the cheapest type of gravel in most markets. Typically $20 to $35 per ton.
Screenings (Stone Dust)
Screenings, or stone dust, are the fine leftover particles under about 1/4 inch from the crushing process. They fill gaps between larger stones and create a smooth, level bed for pavers and flagstone. Typically $30 to $45 per ton.
Marble and White Chips
Marble and white stone chips are decorative crushed stone, usually 3/8 to 3/4 inch, valued for brightness over strength. They cost more than standard crushed stone but add curb appeal to accent beds and entryways. Typically $80 to $150 per ton.
Rip Rap
Rip rap is oversized angular stone, generally 4 to 24 inches, used to armor slopes and stream banks against erosion. Most yards treat it as a special order because of its size and weight. Typically $50 to $100 per ton, often quoted per project.
How to Choose Gravel by Project
The right type of gravel for a driveway is rarely the right choice for a patio, and matching material to job saves a re-order later.
- Driveway: crusher run for the compacted base, then #57 crushed stone or a driveway gravel blend on top. See which gravel for driveway, walkway or yard fits your setup.
- Walkway: pea gravel for a soft, casual feel, or decomposed granite for a firmer, formal path.
- Patio: pea gravel or decomposed granite, both comfortable underfoot and easy to level.
- Drainage: clean, angular #57 crushed stone drains fastest since there are no fines to clog the gaps. Our best gravel for drainage guide covers depth and layout.
- Foundation border: #57 crushed stone keeps water moving away from the wall instead of pooling.
Angular vs Rounded: The 10-Second Rule
Angular stone locks together under load; rounded stone rolls. That single fact predicts almost everything about how a type of gravel performs.
- Angular (crushed stone, crusher run, road base, screenings): interlocks for structural jobs like driveways, bases, and drainage trenches.
- Rounded (pea gravel, river rock): shifts underfoot, better for decorative beds and paths where comfort or looks matter more than strength.
- Mixing the two rarely works: rounded stone dropped on an angular base tends to migrate and separate over time.
FAQs
What kind of gravel hardens like concrete?
Crusher run is the closest gravel gets to hardening like concrete. Its mix of crushed stone and stone dust compacts under a plate compactor into a dense, near-solid surface, which is why it’s the standard base under driveways and patios.
What is the cheapest type of gravel?
Crushed concrete (RCA) is usually the cheapest type of gravel, typically running $20 to $35 per ton because it’s recycled rather than freshly quarried. Road base and screenings run close behind, while decorative types like river rock and marble chips cost more.
What are the different gravel sizes?
Gravel sizes range from fine stone dust under 1/4 inch up to rip rap over a foot across, with most landscaping and driveway products falling between 3/8 inch and 1.5 inches. Sizes are standardized under ASTM D448, and our gravel sizes chart breaks down each numbered size grade in detail.
What gravel is best for a driveway?
Most gravel driveways use crusher run compacted as a base, then a 2 to 4 inch topping of #57 crushed stone or a similar angular driveway gravel. The angular shape locks together under tire weight instead of scattering the way rounded stone does.
What gravel drains best?
Clean, angular #57 crushed stone drains best because it has no stone dust or fines to clog the gaps between stones. Rounded, uniform stone like river rock also drains well once it’s washed and free of fine particles.
