Pea Gravel Delivery in Ankeny, IA by the Ton
Bulk pea gravel delivered in Ankeny, IA. Stone size 1/4 - 3/8. Tan / mixed color.
Starting from $536.65 delivered to Ankeny for 2 tons, our minimum order
Pea gravel delivery in Ankeny, IA puts small, rounded stone on your patio, garden path or planting bed without a trip to a pit. The stones run about 1/4 to 3/8 inch across and come in tan and mixed tones, so they rake smooth and hold a clean edge. This page covers where the material works well around Ankeny, how to estimate the tons you need, and what to plan before the truck arrives.
Ankeny is a suburb of Des Moines with about 77,000 residents, and it sits on the north side of the metro. Nearby towns include Des Moines about 5 miles away, Johnston about 7 miles, West Des Moines about 16 miles and Ames about 20 miles. Other Iowa cities are listed on Pea Gravel in Iowa. Homeowners new to gravel often start with a single path or one bed, which is a sensible way to see how the stone behaves in your yard before committing to a larger area.
Best uses for pea gravel in Ankeny
Most local jobs are front-yard and back-yard projects, and the stone suits a handful of them well:
- Garden paths and side yards: a loose layer over a firm base gives a quiet surface that is easy to walk on.
- Patio borders: the rounded pieces hold a neat line where the paving meets the lawn.
- Dog runs and play areas: the stone stays loose and clean enough for daily use.
- Planting bed toppings: a gravel layer cuts down on bare soil around perennials and shrubs.
Gravel is not a growing medium, so raised beds and lawn repair need soil. Use Premium Screened Topsoil for the growing areas, which is sold by the ton. For trees and shrubs, Mulch is the usual top layer, and it is sold by the cubic yard.
How much pea gravel you need
Start with the area in feet and the depth you want. For an Ankeny pea gravel bed, multiply length by width in feet, multiply that by the depth in inches, and divide by 324 to get cubic yards. Two inches is a common depth for paths and patios, while thicker beds and fill areas often go deeper.
Pea gravel is sold by the ton, so convert yards at about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. For example, a walk 40 feet long and 3 feet wide at 2 inches deep comes to about 0.74 cubic yards, or roughly 1 ton of stone. Add a small amount on top for settling and uneven ground, since the stone sinks a little into the base.
If you would rather skip the math, the calculator turns your dimensions into a ton figure you can carry straight into your order.
Pea Gravel Delivery in Ankeny, IA
Local delivery details are on the delivery in Ankeny page. Before you order, pick the drop spot: a level, open area close to the work and away from the house foundation and any buried lines. Check the route in as well. The truck needs a clear path, room to turn around and enough overhead clearance for the load.
Pricing notes for pea gravel in Ankeny
Type in your ZIP and the page works out the delivered price for your Ankeny address, so delivery is already counted in the number you see.
In Ankeny, larger pea gravel orders get a lower rate per ton. The smallest order is 2 tons, so plan on at least that much even when the project is a short path. Compare the delivered totals for two or three quantities before you choose, since the lower rate on bigger loads can change which order makes the most sense.
Ordering pea gravel in Ankeny
Enter the tonnage from your estimate on the pea gravel page and review the delivered total before you pay.
Write down the tonnage and total once the order is in, so you can check the load against your plan when the truck arrives.
Decide before the truck arrives who will move the pile and with which tools, because stone levels out better when the work starts soon after it lands.
About Pea Gravel
About this material
Pea gravel is small, rounded stone that has been worn smooth, which is why it feels pleasant underfoot and rakes out to a level finish. Pieces are typically 1/4 to 3/8 inch across, and the color runs tan and mixed, so one path or bed can blend several tones without looking busy.
Because the edges are rounded rather than angular, the stones shift more than crushed rock and do not lock together. That makes pea gravel a good fit for surfaces people walk on, sit beside or play around, and a poor fit for areas that carry heavy vehicles. It is a loose, decorative material, so it works best where its job is to look clean, drain freely and stay easy to maintain.
Homeowners use it for borders, walkways and garden edges. Because the stone is inert, it does not break down into soil the way organic mulch can, although weeds still take root in the gaps if they get a start in the soil underneath.
What Pea Gravel costs in Ankeny
Local Ankeny yards quote pea gravel by the ton; the delivered number includes fuel, the truck, and the haul. Send your ZIP and load size and we will send back a same-hour quote with the truck rate and the per-ton figure spelled out. A ton of this material spreads across about 77 sq ft when laid 3 inches deep, useful when you are sizing a patio base or a walkway run.
How crews use Pea Gravel in Ankeny
In and around Ankeny, pea gravel shows up most often on two project types. The most common deployment is patio gravel, often in tight urban lots and infill builds in two to three inch lifts. Second on the list is walkway gravel, which we see in dense neighborhoods where curb access is short on partial-truck deliveries. At roughly 76,727 people, the Ankeny order mix leans toward 3 to 8 ton residential drops with the occasional 16 ton job for a contractor.
Delivery day in Ankeny
A typical Ankeny drop is dispatched from the closest yard with a two hour window and a heads-up call once the truck is loaded. Tandem trucks want a 12 ft lane in and out; tri-axles need 14 ft, and both want firm ground at the tipping spot so the load releases cleanly. Standard lead time on this lane is Mon-Sat, with same-day windows held open for orders that hit the desk before 11 AM and clear payment.
Related materials we deliver in Ankeny
Price by ZIP- Size3/8″
- Density2800 lb/yd³
- ColorMixed earth
Price by ZIP- Size1 - 3″
- Density2700 lb/yd³
- ColorMixed natural
Price by ZIP- Size0 - 1/4″
- Density3000 lb/yd³
- ColorTan, gold
Estimate how much you need
Work out your material
A planning figure, not a guarantee. Order roughly a tenth extra to cover settling and uneven ground.
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Related guides
GUIDEGravel Size Chart: Pea Gravel to Crushed StoneA gravel size chart showing pea gravel, crushed stone and river rock diameters side by side, so you can match the right size to your project.Read guide →GUIDEThe Different Types of Gravel and How to ChooseA plain-language guide to the main types of gravel, covering pea gravel, crushed stone, river rock and decomposed granite.Read guide →GUIDEHow Much Does Gravel Cost? A Practical Pricing GuideHow much does gravel cost and why does it vary? See the real factors behind ton pricing, delivery, and order size before you buy.Read guide →
GUIDEWhat Are Screenings? A Guide to Crushed Stone FinesScreenings are fine crushed stone used for paver bases, joint fill and walkways. See what screenings are, common types, and mistakes to avoid.Read guide →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep pea gravel from spreading into the lawn?
Set a border of edging, such as steel, plastic or stone, along the edge of the bed or path. Tight edging holds the stone in place and keeps the lawn mower from throwing pieces onto the walk. Check the border once a season and rake any stray stones back in. A border also gives the stone a clean line where the surface meets grass.
Do I need landscape fabric under pea gravel?
Fabric helps on beds where weeds are a problem, because it blocks light from the soil surface. On a patio or walk over a firm base, many people skip it. Choose a woven, permeable fabric rather than a plastic sheet so water can still pass through. Expect a few weeds to sprout in the gravel over time, and pull them while they are small.
What happens to pea gravel in an Ankeny winter?
Iowa winters bring snow and repeated freeze and thaw cycles. Freezing does not break down the stone, but plow blades can throw pieces onto the lawn, so raise the blade or keep gravel areas off the plow path. Stones also shift a little after thaws, so plan to rake the surface back level in spring.
Is pea gravel safe for kids and dogs?
For most households, yes. Rounded stone is gentler on bare feet and paws than sharp pieces. Some dogs eat gravel, though, and a pet that picks up pieces may need a different surface. Watch play areas for stones thrown toward the house, and keep the smallest pieces out of reach of toddlers.
Should I rake pea gravel right after a rainstorm?
Wait until the surface has drained. Raking soaked stone drags mud up from the base and mixes it into the top layer, which leaves the path looking dirty. Once the stone is damp rather than wet, a light pass with a leaf rake levels any low spots and brings scattered pieces back into the bed.
Can I put pea gravel over an old concrete patio?
Yes, if the concrete is sound and the gravel layer stays thin. Set a border so stones do not roll off the edge. Sweep the slab first and remove loose flakes or oil stains. A thin layer over concrete is a quick refresh for a worn patio, though it will not level a cracked or sloped slab.
How often does a pea gravel path need topping up?
It depends on traffic. A busy walk loses stone to shoes and tires faster than a quiet bed does, so it needs a refill sooner. Stones scatter over time, and a quick rake keeps the surface even. Pull out leaves and debris as they land, because they break down into a soil layer on top of the stone where weeds can root.
Can pea gravel go around a fire pit?
Yes. Pea gravel is a common border around fire pits because the stone does not burn. Keep the ring a comfortable distance from the fire and from any wood piles, and rake away leaves and ash so they do not sit on the stone. A metal fire ring set on a level base is the usual setup.