It costs around $310 to install pea gravel for a typical 200-square-foot project. While the cost of installing pea gravel can range from about $240 to $380 for 200 square feet, the average 20-by-20-foot driveway can cost upward of $1,500. Ultimately, pea gravel prices will depend on the square footage you are covering, the type of gravel you choose and where your home is located.

• How much does pea gravel cost?
• How much does pea gravel cost before installation?
• Where is pea gravel commonly used?
• What are the pros and cons of pea gravel?
• How much does it cost to professionally install pea gravel?

Installing pea gravel can be a labor-intensive process, involving lots of heavy-lifting. You may also need your old concrete or grass removed and the land prepared for the pea gravel. To ensure your yard or driveway looks beautiful when finished, it’s a good idea to hire a landscape contractor.

Pea gravel might be humble, but its cost efficiency, all-natural appearance and endless uses have made it an ever-popular landscaping choice for home improvement projects. The stones are named for their green pea-like shape and small size, which generally ranges from ⅛ inch to ⅜ inch. Most commonly, pea gravel is seen in a spectrum of grays, going from almost pure white to medium gray to nearly black. But it’s also available in a variety of other colors, including many tones of brown as well as brighter shades like blue and red for fun pops of color in the garden. These tiny river rocks are rounded to rid them of the sharp edges of crushed stone, making them ideal for a wide variety of applications and styles.

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Costs of pea gravel run from $30 to $50 per ton for plain pea gravel, or from $4 to $6 per 0.5-cubic-foot bag. Grave for decorative purposes typically costs less than gravel for driveways or playgrounds. For brightly colored stone, costs can be over $75 per ton or $8 per bag. If you’re buying in bulk, or more than 10 tons at a time, buying pea gravel directly from a gravel distributor or landscape supply company can lower the prices to $15 to $20 per ton. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that one ton of standard pea gravel will usually cover a little over 100 square feet at a two-inch depth.

Pea gravel has many different applications. It is most commonly used for landscaping features and is an excellent choice for paths, patios, playgrounds, flower beds and walkways. You can even use pea gravel in an aquarium.

• Driveways: Pea gravel is a common option for affordable driveways, since it prevents mud and smooths out the driving surface. To withstand the weight of cars and trucks, the gravel should be installed at least six inches deep and then compacted.
• Walkways: Pea gravel for walkways can help eliminate weeds and provides a low-maintenance surface for foot traffic that’s attractive and relatively cost-efficient. A four-inch layer of pea gravel usually eliminates most weeds.
• Playground Areas: Since pea gravel is an effective drainage surface for rain, it prevents mud from forming. The smoother edges of pea gravel — compared with other materials such as crushed stone — also make it safer than some other materials for children to play on.

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While pea gravel is an attractive and relatively affordable landscaping material, it also comes with its downsides. Read on to learn if pea gravel is right for you.

Pros:

• Natural appearance that blends in with almost every style and type of outdoor space
• Drains well after heavy rains, limiting soil erosion
• Relatively affordable and low-maintenance
• Suppresses weeds

Cons:

• Requires edging to keep it in place
• Difficult to remove if you decide to change your landscaping
• Can sink into the soil, so it must be replaced or refreshed every few years
• Compresses the soil and retains heat, so it’s not ideal for growing plants

While some people install pea gravel themselves, it is a heavy material and is often bought by the ton. For a large project, purchasing and installing tons of pea gravel could prove difficult. A landscape designer can help install complex, decorative designs. Hiring a professional could add anywhere from $15 to $70 per hour to the total project cost. Small jobs can usually be completed in two hours. When estimating labor costs, consider layout as well as the size and depth of your project area.

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The more complicated and detailed your desired layout is, the more difficult it will be to install pea gravel. Straight, rectangular or square shapes are easier to install. A winding garden path, circular patio or any other rounded or arched shapes will be more time-consuming to install. Sloping land can add another element of difficulty to a project. In cases like these, it is wise to hire a professional who specializes in hardscaping.

The larger the pea gravel project, the more difficult it is to handle purchasing and delivering the pea gravel by yourself. An installer or other professional can help order and receive the delivery, in addition to installing the pea gravel. Depth varies depending on the use of the planned project. A pea gravel driveway must be much deeper to take the weight of cars, while a small walkway might need only an inch or two for foot traffic. The composition of the soil underneath also determines drainage and prep needs. If you have questions about depth, soil composition or measurements of your area, your contractor should be able to help.

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Since pea gravel moves around, it’s necessary to edge around the entire area where the pea gravel will be installed. Edging comes in a wide variety of materials, including wood, metal and plastic. Your choice of material will also determine cost.

For more inspiration: 10 Ways to Put Gravel to Work in Your Garden