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Drainage Gravel
Project Guide · 162 cities

Drainage Gravel - Material Guide

Picking the right gravel for a drainage gravel project? This guide covers the materials that fit best, how much you need, and what it costs delivered.

A solid drainage gravel job comes down to three things: the right stone size, the right depth, and a base that drains. Get those right and the surface lasts 15 years before it needs a real top-up. Cut corners on any of them and you will be back out there with a rake inside two seasons. The numbers below come from real delivered jobs across our service area, not catalog specs.

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BEST FIT

Best materials for drainage gravel

Drain RockPrice by ZIP
Drain RockDrainage4.7(3)
  • Size1 - 2″
  • Density2700 lb/yd³
  • ColorGray
View Drain Rock →
#4 Crushed StonePrice by ZIP
#4 Crushed StoneCrushed Stone4.7(3)
  • Size1.5 - 2.5″
  • Density2800 lb/yd³
  • ColorGray
View #4 Crushed Stone →
#57 Crushed StonePrice by ZIP
#57 Crushed StoneCrushed Stone4.8(4)
  • Size3/4 - 1″
  • Density2700 lb/yd³
  • ColorGray
View #57 Crushed Stone →
River RockPrice by ZIP
River RockDecorative4.8(4)
  • Size1 - 3″
  • Density2700 lb/yd³
  • ColorMixed natural
View River Rock →

What drainage gravel needs in a material

The three specs above drive every other choice on a drainage gravel job. Order the wrong size and the surface fails fast. Pick a material that drains the wrong way and you fight standing water or washouts. Get these right and the install steps below take care of the rest.

How to install drainage gravel

  1. 1
    Trench at 1% fall

    Dig the trench so water flows toward the outlet at 1 percent grade minimum.

  2. 2
    Wrap with filter fabric

    Line the trench with non-woven fabric, leaving enough to fold over the top later.

  3. 3
    Surround the pipe

    Place 4 inches of clean stone under the perforated pipe and 4 inches over it.

  4. 4
    Backfill and cap

    Fold the fabric over, top with washed stone, then cap with sod or river rock.

How much drainage gravel material do you need

Project size3 inch depth4 inch depth
100 sq ft 0.9 cu yd / 1.3 tons 1.2 cu yd / 1.7 tons
300 sq ft 2.8 cu yd / 3.9 tons 3.7 cu yd / 5.2 tons
600 sq ft 5.6 cu yd / 7.8 tons 7.4 cu yd / 10.4 tons

Quantities above assume crushed stone at roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Pea gravel and river rock run a bit lighter, decomposed granite a bit denser. Add 10 percent waste for irregular shapes and edge losses.

What drainage gravel costs in 2026

RegionDelivered per tonTypical 300 sq ft project
Northeast $44 to $76 $154 to $266
Midwest $34 to $59 $119 to $207
South $32 to $57 $112 to $200
West $50 to $92 $175 to $322

Prices below are delivered per ton, full truck loads, 2026 service area pricing. Add 8 to 15 percent for half-loads under 12 tons and add fuel surcharges in volatile diesel markets. Bag drops and small-yard deliveries run higher per ton than the table shows.

Drainage Gravel mistakes to avoid

Cities with active drainage gravel guides

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FAQ for drainage gravel

What gravel works best for drainage?
Clean washed 3/4 inch stone with no fines. The voids carry the water and stay open longer than rounded river rock.
How deep should a drainage trench be?
Most yard drainage runs 18 to 24 inches deep with a 1 percent fall to an outlet.
Do I really need filter fabric?
Yes. Non-woven fabric blocks soil from silting into the voids, which is the single biggest reason drains clog.
Can I skip the perforated pipe?
For a short run under 20 feet, a stone-only French drain can work. Longer runs need pipe to keep flow moving.
How long will a drainage system last?
Built right with clean stone and fabric, plan on 20 to 30 years before the voids start to silt up.
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