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







Many homeowners pick gravel by color first. The real mistake is ignoring what happens when rain hits the ground. Portsmouth gets about 43 inches of precipitation a year, so drainage and washout planning are not optional.
The correction is to start with a compacting base layer and choose a decorative top that matches the site's water flow. That sequence saves rework later.
Think of any project as two layers: a structural base that holds the load and a finish surface that looks right. Base materials like Crusher Run and Road Base lock together under compaction. Decorative stones like Pea Gravel and River Rock give the visible finish. The table below lists the main options we deliver to Portsmouth.
| Product | Best For | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 3/8" Natural Pea Gravel | Play areas, patios | Rounded and smooth underfoot, needs containment. |
| River Rock | Beds, borders, dry creek beds | Natural look that stays in place when set. |
| 2-4" River Rock | Larger decorative cover and erosion control | Heavy stones that resist being moved by runoff. |
| Drain Rock | French drains and dry wells | Washed, angular rock that moves water fast. |
| Decomposed Granite | Paths and patios that compact firm | Fine particles lock into a stable, permeable surface. |
| Crusher Run | Compacting base under everything | Angular stone with fines that harden like concrete. |
| Road Base | Lanes and pads that carry trucks | Heavy-duty mix for driveways and parking areas. |
The budget option often works, but a low upfront cost can mean more maintenance if the material is not suited to the site. For a path that stays firm, Decomposed Granite compacts well and handles foot traffic without rutting.
| Project | What to Order | Depth or Note |
|---|---|---|
| Path that stays firm | Decomposed Granite | 2 to 3 inches compacted, edge restraints help. |
| Dry creek bed | River Rock | 3 to 4 inches deep over landscape fabric. |
| Landscape beds | 3/8" Natural Pea Gravel | 1 to 2 inches, keep it away from tree trunks. |
| Erosion control on a slope | 2-4" River Rock | 4 to 6 inches, larger stones stay in place. |
| French drain | Drain Rock | Fill the trench with washed drain rock, wrap in fabric. |
About 84 days a year bring at least a tenth of an inch of rain, which means scheduling delivery onto firm ground matters. If the yard is wet the day the truck arrives, the gravel can sink or mix with mud. Plan for a dry stretch before the haul.
Winters here see about 118 days below 32F, so the ground freezes and thaws repeatedly. That cycle can unsettle a base that was not compacted well. Winters here are cold enough to move an unsettled base, so compaction is worth the extra pass. Around 14 inches of snow falls per year, and plowing a loose surface can scrape gravel into the lawn. A compacted top layer resists that damage better.
The ground around Portsmouth is in hydrologic group D, which means it takes water in very slowly, so most rain runs across the surface. That behavior makes drainage and a deeper base more important here than in areas with sandy soil. A 4-inch base of Crusher Run under any decorative layer gives runoff a path to move without washing the surface away.
A ton of gravel covers roughly 80 to 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, but the exact amount depends on the stone size and the compaction. Use our material calculators to enter your project dimensions and get a tonnage estimate in seconds. Order slightly more than the calculator says to account for settling and waste.
Gravel Monkey delivers stone by the ton to your address in Portsmouth. There is no yard to visit. You order online, select your delivery date at checkout (must be at least 3 business days after the order), and pick a window: morning, 7 am to 12 pm, or afternoon, 12 pm to 5 pm. Delivery pricing is calculated by ZIP when you check out, and loads range from 1 to more than 40 tons. Free delivery applies on qualifying orders. Use code FIRSTTIMER50 at checkout for $50 off your first order.
You will receive an email confirmation, then a second email closer to the day with the scheduled window and a photo of the material being loaded. Delivery only proceeds after you approve that second email. Learn more about our process on the delivery information page, read customer reviews, or see about Gravel Monkey to understand how our national network works.
Gravel and rock often work alongside other bulk materials. These options complement a Portsmouth project.
Yes. About 118 days a year drop below 32F, which can cause the ground to freeze and make site access tricky. The delivery window you choose must allow the truck to reach the drop spot on firm ground. If the yard is frozen, the stone may slide or rut less than on mud, but a frozen surface can still be uneven.
Yes. The ground around Portsmouth is in hydrologic group D, meaning it takes water in very slowly so most rain runs across the surface. That runoff can wash away loose gravel if the base is not compacted. A proper base of Crusher Run or Road Base and a depth of at least 4 inches reduces washout risk.
Drain Rock is the best choice. It is a washed, angular stone about 1 to 2 inches in size that leaves gaps for water to flow. River Rock can work in a pinch if it is clean, but angular drain rock moves water faster and does not settle as much.
You pick a delivery date at least 3 business days after your order and choose a window (morning 7 am to 12 pm or afternoon 12 pm to 5 pm). Gravel Monkey sends an email confirmation right away, then a second email closer to the date with the exact window and a photo of your load being loaded. You must approve that second email for the delivery to proceed. Someone over 18 needs to be present at the site during the window.
Ordering gravel and rock for your Portsmouth address takes minutes online. Choose your material, enter your delivery details, and let Gravel Monkey bring the stone to your site. Visit the Portsmouth city hub to start.
Gravel Monkey also delivers gravel and rock to nearby areas.
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.