Side by side
| Crushed Stone | River Rock | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight per cubic yard | 3,000 lb (1.50 t) | 2,800 lb (1.40 t) |
| Cubic yards per ton | 0.67 | 0.71 |
| Sq ft per ton at 3 in | 72 | 77 |
| Average price | $10–$50/ton, $15–$75/yd³ | $45–$130/ton, $50–$160/yd³ |
Weights and prices from the sources listed below.
Earthstone lists 2 to 3 inches for crushed rock ground cover and 2 to 4 inches for river rock beds.
Working it out
Cubic yards = area × depth ÷ 324 (sq ft and inches). Tons = cubic yards × weight per cubic yard.
For 200 sq ft at 3 inches, both need 1.85 cubic yards: 2.78 tons of crushed stone or 2.59 tons of river rock.
Common questions
Which is heavier, crushed stone or river rock?
Crushed Stone at about 1.50 tons per cubic yard, against 1.40.
Sources
- https://www.earthstonerock.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions
- https://hellogravel.com/guides/2025-gravel-prices-per-ton-delivered-cost-calculator-and-regional-rates/
- https://homeguide.com/costs/gravel-prices