What is the main difference between crushed stone and pea gravel?

The main difference is shape and texture. Crushed stone has angular, jagged edges from mechanical crushing, while pea gravel is naturally rounded from water erosion. This affects drainage, stability, and aesthetic appearance.

Which is better for a driveway: crushed stone or pea gravel?

Crushed stone is generally better for driveways because its angular edges lock together for better stability and load-bearing capacity. Pea gravel tends to shift under vehicle weight and can scatter more easily.

Is pea gravel cheaper than crushed stone?

Prices vary by region, but pea gravel and crushed stone are usually similarly priced, ranging from $30-$60 per cubic yard. The total cost depends on the quantity needed and local supplier pricing.

Which material provides better drainage?

Both materials provide excellent drainage, but pea gravel typically drains slightly faster due to larger gaps between rounded stones. Crushed stone offers good drainage while also providing better compaction.

Can I use pea gravel under pavers?

Pea gravel is not recommended as a base under pavers because its rounded shape prevents proper compaction. Use crushed stone or stone dust instead for a stable, level base that won't shift over time.

Which is cheaper: crushed stone or pea gravel?

Crushed stone is typically cheaper, ranging from $30-$50 per ton, while pea gravel costs $40-$60 per ton. However, prices vary by region and supplier. Crushed limestone and granite are among the most affordable crushed stone options.

Is pea gravel better than crushed stone for driveways?

Crushed stone is generally better for driveways because its angular edges lock together, creating a more stable surface that supports vehicle weight. Pea gravel tends to shift and spread under vehicle traffic, requiring more frequent maintenance and edging.

Which drains better: crushed stone or pea gravel?

Both drain well, but crushed stone typically provides better drainage due to larger void spaces between angular pieces. Crushed stone is preferred for French drains and drainage systems. Pea gravel drains well but can compact more over time, reducing water infiltration.

Can I mix crushed stone and pea gravel?

Yes, many projects use crushed stone as a base layer for stability and pea gravel as a top layer for aesthetics. This combination provides both structural integrity and visual appeal, commonly used in pathways and decorative areas.

Which is better for landscaping: crushed stone or pea gravel?

Pea gravel is often preferred for landscaping due to its smooth, rounded appearance and comfortable texture for walking barefoot. Crushed stone works better for areas needing stability, drainage, and load-bearing capacity like patios and driveways.

What size crushed stone is best for driveways?

For driveways, #57 crushed stone (3/4 inch) is most commonly recommended. It compacts well, provides excellent drainage, and creates a stable surface. A base layer of larger #3 stone (1-2 inches) topped with #57 stone creates the most durable driveway.

How much does a ton of crushed stone cover?

One ton of crushed stone typically covers approximately 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, or about 80 square feet at 3 inches deep. Coverage varies based on stone size and compaction level.

Does pea gravel attract bugs or pests?

Pea gravel itself doesn't attract bugs, but organic debris that accumulates in gravel beds can harbor insects. Proper installation with landscape fabric and regular maintenance helps prevent pest issues in pea gravel areas.

Crushed Stone vs Pea Gravel: Complete Comparison Guide

Choosing between crushed stone and pea gravel can significantly impact your project's functionality, appearance, and cost. Whether you're building a gravel driveway, creating garden pathways, installing a French drain, or designing decorative landscaping, understanding the key differences between these popular aggregate materials helps you make the right choice.

Quick Comparison: Crushed Stone vs Pea Gravel

Feature	Crushed Stone	Pea Gravel
Size	3/4" to 1.5"	1/4" to 1/2"
Shape	Angular, rough edges	Smooth, rounded
Cost per Ton	$30-$50	$40-$60
Best For	Driveways, bases, drainage	Pathways, gardens, decor
Compaction	Excellent (locks together)	Poor (shifts easily)
Drainage	Excellent	Good
Walking Comfort	Low (rough)	High (smooth)

What Is Crushed Stone?

Crushed stone is mechanically broken rock with angular, irregular edges. It's produced by crushing larger rocks in quarries and screening them to specific sizes. Common types include crushed limestone, crushed granite,trap rock, and crushed gravel. The angular shape allows pieces to interlock when compacted, creating a stable, load-bearing surface ideal for driveway construction and foundation bases.

Key characteristics of crushed stone:

Size range: Typically 3/4 inch (#57 stone) to 1.5 inches (#3 stone), with various grades available
Texture: Angular and rough edges that interlock under pressure
Compaction: Locks together tightly when compacted with a plate compactor or roller
Appearance: Gray, white, tan, or blue depending on stone type (limestone, granite, bluestone)
Density: Approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard, varying by material type

What Is Pea Gravel?

Pea gravel consists of small, naturally weathered stones with smooth, rounded edges. Named for their pea-like size and shape, these decorative stones are typically found in riverbeds or created through natural erosion processes. Pea gravel is popular for garden pathways, landscaping beds, playground surfaces, and decorative ground cover where comfort and aesthetics are priorities.

Key characteristics of pea gravel:

Size range: Usually 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch diameter (3/8" is most common)
Texture: Smooth and rounded, comfortable for bare feet
Compaction: Doesn't lock together; tends to shift under weight
Appearance: Various colors including tan, white, brown, gray, and mixed earth tones
Density: Approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard when dry

Key Differences: Crushed Stone vs Pea Gravel

1. Stability and Compaction Properties

Crushed Stone: The angular edges interlock when compacted, creating a stable, firm surface that resists shifting. This makes crushed stone ideal for driveway bases, parking areas, and any area with heavy traffic or weight-bearing requirements. Proper compaction with a plate compactor achieves 95% density.

Pea Gravel: Smooth, rounded stones don't lock together and tend to shift underfoot or under vehicle weight. This makes pea gravel better suited for decorative applications with light foot traffic, requiring edging or borders to keep stones contained.

2. Drainage Performance

Crushed Stone: Excellent drainage due to larger void spaces between angular pieces. The industry standard for French drains, dry wells, drainage trenches, and foundation drainage systems. Water flows freely through the angular gaps.

Pea Gravel: Good drainage but can compact over time, reducing water infiltration. Still suitable for most landscape drainage applications and permeable ground cover, but not recommended for critical drainage systems.

3. Comfort and Aesthetics

Crushed Stone: Rough texture can be uncomfortable for bare feet. Industrial appearance works well for functional areas like driveways, utility pathways, and construction bases but may not suit decorative landscaping.

Pea Gravel: Smooth texture is comfortable to walk on barefoot. Attractive, natural appearance enhances garden beds, zen gardens, meditation spaces, pathways, and decorative borders around plants and water features.

4. Cost Comparison Per Ton

Crushed Stone: Generally $30-$50 per ton, making it the more economical choice for large-scale projects like driveways and foundations. Crushed limestone is typically the most affordable option.

Pea Gravel: Typically $40-$60 per ton due to additional processing, screening, and aesthetic appeal. Colored or specialty pea gravel can cost more.

Use our crushed stone calculator to estimate exact material costs and quantities for your specific project dimensions.

Best Uses for Crushed Stone

Gravel Driveways: Provides stable, durable surface for vehicles that won't rut or shift. Learn more in our driveway stone calculator guide
Base Layers: Excellent foundation for patios, pavers, concrete slabs, and retaining walls
Drainage Systems: Superior performance in French drains, dry wells, curtain drains, and foundation drains
Road Construction: Standard material for road bases, shoulders, and gravel roads
Parking Areas: Handles heavy traffic and vehicle weight without displacement
Erosion Control: Stabilizes slopes and prevents soil erosion in drainage swales

Best Uses for Pea Gravel

Garden Pathways: Comfortable walking surface with attractive natural appearance for backyard paths
Landscaping Beds: Decorative ground cover around plants, trees, and shrubs as mulch alternative
Play Areas: Soft landing surface for playgrounds when properly installed with adequate depth
Decorative Accents: Borders, dry creek beds, water features, and zen gardens
Dog Runs: Easy to clean, comfortable for pets, and provides good drainage
Patio Ground Cover: Attractive alternative to concrete or pavers for outdoor living spaces

Can You Combine Both Materials?

Yes! Many successful projects use both materials in layers for optimal results:

Base layer: 3-4 inches of crushed stone (#57 or #3 stone) for stability and drainage
Top layer: 2-3 inches of pea gravel for aesthetics and walking comfort

This combination provides structural integrity with an attractive finish—ideal for garden paths, seating areas, and decorative walkways. Calculate the exact amounts needed using our stone calculator.

Installation Guide and Considerations

For Crushed Stone Installation:

Requires proper compaction with a plate compactor or roller for maximum stability
Install landscape fabric underneath to prevent weed growth and soil migration
Edge with borders, steel edging, or concrete curbing to contain material
Typical depth: 4-6 inches for driveways, 3-4 inches for paths and patios
Allow for 10-15% compaction when ordering materials

For Pea Gravel Installation:

Install edging or borders to prevent spreading (essential for longevity)
Use landscape fabric or weed barrier to suppress weeds
Typical depth: 2-3 inches for pathways, 3-4 inches for play areas
Rake periodically to maintain even distribution and remove debris
Consider pea gravel stabilizer grids for high-traffic areas

Maintenance Requirements

Crushed Stone: Low maintenance once properly installed. May need occasional raking and adding material to high-traffic areas every few years. Weeds can be controlled with landscape fabric and periodic herbicide application.

Pea Gravel: Requires more frequent maintenance. Rake regularly to redistribute displaced stones, add material annually to replace scattered gravel, keep edges clear, and remove organic debris that accumulates.

Environmental and Sustainability Considerations

Both materials are environmentally friendly options for sustainable landscaping:

Permeable: Allow water infiltration, reducing stormwater runoff and preventing erosion
Natural materials: No synthetic chemicals, treatments, or off-gassing
Recyclable: Can be reused in other projects or crushed for different applications
Local sourcing: Often available from nearby quarries, reducing transportation impact and carbon footprint
Heat reduction: Light-colored gravel reflects heat, reducing urban heat island effect

Learn more about sustainable landscaping practices from the EPA's Permeable Pavement Guide.

Making Your Decision: Which Stone Should You Choose?

Choose crushed stone if you need:

Maximum stability and load-bearing capacity for vehicles
A driveway, parking area, or heavy-use pathway
Base layer for patios, pavers, or concrete construction
Superior drainage performance for French drains or foundations
Lower cost for large-scale coverage areas

Choose pea gravel if you want:

Attractive, decorative appearance for visible landscaping
Comfortable walking surface for barefoot areas
Garden pathways, landscaping beds, or borders
Play areas, dog runs, or pet-friendly surfaces
Softer, more natural aesthetic for zen gardens or meditation spaces

Pro Tip: Calculate Before You Buy

Avoid costly mistakes by accurately calculating the amount of gravel or crushed stone you need. Our crushed stone calculator helps you determine exact quantities in cubic yards and tons based on your project dimensions, including a recommended waste factor.

Calculate Now →

Conclusion

Both crushed stone and pea gravel have their place in landscaping and construction projects. Crushed stone excels in applications requiring stability, load-bearing capacity, and drainage—making it the preferred choice for driveways, foundations, and drainage systems. Pea gravel shines in decorative applications where aesthetics, walking comfort, and visual appeal matter most.

For many projects, using both materials in combination provides the best results—crushed stone for the functional base layer and pea gravel for an attractive, comfortable top layer. Consider your specific needs, budget, maintenance preferences, and intended use when making your choice.

For more guidance on stone selection and installation, check out HGTV's Landscaping Rocks & Stones Guide.

Crushed Stone vs Pea Gravel: Complete Comparison Guide for Landscaping & Driveways