Gravel & Rock ordered online by the ton. A dump truck delivers to your Mason City address and unloads right where you point.







Building a patio or a new driveway in Mason City starts with a stable base and a finished surface that handles foot traffic and weather. Crusher Run compacts into a solid subgrade, while 3/8" Natural Pea Gravel provides a smooth, rounded top layer for walkways or play areas.
Mason City gets about 36 inches of precipitation a year, so drainage planning matters from the start. Choosing the right gravel and rock for the job can prevent washout and extend the life of the surface.
Gravel and rock falls into two categories: base material that compacts firm and decorative material that stays loose. The table below lists the products we deliver by the ton to Mason City and Cerro Gordo County.
| Product | Best For | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 3/8" Natural Pea Gravel | Play areas, patios | Rounded and smooth, easy on bare feet. |
| River Rock | Beds, borders, dry creek beds | Various sizes, natural look for landscaping. |
| 2-4" River Rock | Larger decorative cover and erosion control | Bigger stones stay in place on slopes. |
| Drain Rock | French drains and dry wells | Clean, angular stone for water movement. |
| Decomposed Granite | Paths and patios that compact firm | Compacts into a hard, stable surface. |
| Crusher Run | Compacting base under everything | Mixture of stone dust and gravel for strength. |
| Road Base | Lanes and pads that carry trucks | Heavy-duty base for vehicle traffic. |
The table below compares budget-friendly options with longer-lasting choices for typical jobs around the county.
| Project | What to order | Depth or note |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape beds | River Rock or 2-4" River Rock | 2 to 3 inches for weed suppression and appearance. |
| French drain | Drain Rock | 12 to 18 inches around the perforated pipe. |
| Path that stays firm | Decomposed Granite | 4 inches compacted, with a base of Crusher Run if soil is soft. |
| Erosion control on a slope | 2-4" River Rock | 4 to 6 inches; larger stone resists washing away. |
| Dry creek bed | River Rock (mixed sizes) | 3 to 5 inches for natural flow and appearance. |
Mason City experiences about 160 freezing days a year. That many freeze-thaw cycles can shift an unstable base, leading to ruts and settling. A thick, well-compacted layer of Crusher Run or Road Base helps the ground stay in place through the winter.
Snowfall averages about 40 inches annually. Plowing a driveway with a loose surface can push the stone around. A compacted topping like Decomposed Granite or a well-graded base reduces that problem. Spring thaw is the wet part of the year for driveways, and it is when a thin base shows up as ruts.
Soils in the Mason City area are mapped as moderately well drained. That means water does not soak in as fast as it might elsewhere. The ground around Mason City takes water in slowly and sheds a fair amount across the surface. A deeper drainage layer under your surface stone earns its place, especially for patios and paths that need to stay dry.
Calculating how many tons of gravel or rock you need depends on the area you are covering and the depth you plan to use. Use our material calculators to get a close estimate. Enter your project dimensions and the tool provides the approximate tonnage.
Ordering from Gravel Monkey is straightforward. You choose your material, enter your ZIP code for delivery pricing, and select a delivery window at checkout. We deliver by dump truck directly to your address in Mason City and around Cerro Gordo County. Loads range from 1 to 40+ tons, and free delivery applies on qualifying orders.
Your first order qualifies for $50 off with code FIRSTTIMER50. You can learn more about our process on the About Gravel Monkey page, read Customer reviews, or review Delivery information.
Yes. About 66 days a year bring at least a tenth of an inch of rain. That means water moves across the ground often, so a drainage layer under your surface stone is a good idea.
Yes. Frost depth in Mason City is deep and long, so a thicker base layer is needed to prevent heaving during freeze-thaw cycles. Combined with the rainfall, that makes washout a real concern on slopes and loose surfaces.
For vehicle traffic, a compacted base of Crusher Run or Road Base should be at least 6 inches after compaction. The exact depth depends on the soil and load.
Yes. Smaller, angular stones like Crusher Run and Decomposed Granite lock together tightly. Larger, round stones like Pea Gravel do not compact well and stay loose.
Ready to start your project? Gravel Monkey can deliver the gravel and rock you need right to your address in Mason City and throughout Cerro Gordo County. Visit the Mason City hub page to explore your options or place an order.
Gravel Monkey also delivers to nearby towns:
See the delivered price for your address and order gravel & rock by the ton online. Loads run from 1 to over 40 tons, with free delivery on qualifying orders.
Fill out the form and our sales team will get back to you within the hour.