Key Takeaways
| Key Points | Summary |
|---|---|
| Cost Per Ton | $45 – $130 |
| Cost Per Yard | $50 – $160 |
| Average Project Cost | $250 – $1,500 |
| Primary Factors | Type of rock, delivery, installation fees |
Landscaping River Rock Prices
$45 – $130 Cost Per Ton
Landscaping river rocks typically cost between $45 and $130 per ton, depending on the type of rock and region.
$50 – $160 Cost Per Yard
River rocks are priced similarly per cubic yard, ranging from $50 to $160.
$250 – $1,500 Average Rock Landscaping Project Cost
The average cost for a rock landscaping project generally falls between $250 and $1,500, incorporating the cost of materials, delivery, and professional installation.
Landscaping Rock Prices
Landscaping rocks cost
| Option | Cost per ton | Cost per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Rocks only | $45 – $130 | $50 – $160 |
| Rocks + delivery | $50 – $140 | $55 – $175 |
| Rocks + delivery + installation | $75 – $240 | $85 – $310 |
Average River Rock Prices
Average cost of river rock
| Metric | Cost |
|---|---|
| National average cost | $725 |
| Minimum cost | $100 |
| Maximum cost | $2,000 |
| Average range | $250 to $1,500 |
River Rock Cost Calculator
Using a cost calculator can help determine the total expense based on the amount of rock needed, factoring in delivery and installation fees.
Landscaping River Rock and Stone Prices
Cost of landscaping rocks and stones by type
| Rock type | Average price |
|---|---|
| River rocks | |
| – Per ton | $45 – $130 |
| – Per yard | $50 – $160 |
| – Per bag | $15 – $35 |
| Lava rock | |
| – Per ton | $80 – $240 |
| – Per yard | $50 – $140 |
| – Per bag | $20 – $50 |
| Large boulders | $100 – $350 per ton |
| Bull rock | |
| – Per ton | $65 – $130 |
| – Per yard | $80 – $150 |
| Crushed stone & gravel | |
| – Per ton | $10 – $50 |
| – Per yard | $15 – $75 |
| Crushed shells | $30 – $60 per yard |
| White stones & pebbles | |
| – Per ton | $650 – $1,300 |
| – Per bag | $15 – $40 |
| Mexican beach pebbles | |
| – Per ton | $475 – $800 |
| – Per bag | $25 – $60 |
| Crushed or decomposed granite | |
| – Per ton | $45 – $95 |
| – Per yard | $70 – $130 |
Cost of River Rock Per Ton
River rock prices per ton
| Tons | Price range |
|---|---|
| 1 | $45 – $130 |
| 2 | $90 – $260 |
| 4 | $180 – $520 |
| 6 | $270 – $780 |
| 10 | $450 – $1,300 |
River Rock Prices Per Cubic Yard
River rock cost per yard
| Cubic yards | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $50 – $160 |
| 2 | $100 – $320 |
| 3 | $150 – $480 |
Lava Rock Prices
Lava rocks tend to be more expensive, costing about $80 – $240 per ton and $50 – $140 per yard.
Bull Rock Cost
Bull rocks are intermediate in price, costing $65 – $130 per ton and $80 – $150 per yard.
Mexican Beach Pebbles Cost
Mexican beach pebbles cost between $475 and $800 per ton and $25 to $60 per bag.
Cost of Large Landscaping Rocks
Cost of large landscaping rocks
| Stone size | Stones per ton | Single stone cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10″ | 40 – 45 | $3 – $7 |
| 12″ | 22 – 26 | $5 – $15 |
| 18″ | 10 – 12 | $12 – $35 |
| 24″ | 3 – 8 | $35 – $90 |
| 30″ | 2 – 4 | $50 – $180 |
| 36″ | 1 – 3 | $100 – $350 |
Bulk River Rock Prices
Bulk river rock prices by pallet
| Pallet type | Average bulk prices |
|---|---|
| River rock (unbagged) | $200 – $320 |
| Flagstone (unbagged) | $200 – $600 |
| Landscaping rocks (20 – 55 bags) | $550 – $1,000 |
Bulk river rock cost by truckload
| Truck size (tons) | River rock cost | Material + delivery cost |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | $315 – $910 | $350 – $980 |
| 14 | $630 – $1,820 | $700 – $1,960 |
| 25 | $1,125 – $3,250 | $1,250 – $3,500 |
Rip Rap Cost
Rip rap rock cost
| Metric | Material cost only | Material + delivery cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per ton | $20 – $60 | $25 – $70 |
| Per cubic yard | $25 – $75 | $30 – $90 |
Landscaping Stone Prices
Cost of stepping stones for landscaping
| Stone type | Cost per square foot | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Regular pavers | $1 – $8 | Brick or concrete; Rectangular, round, or irregular shapes |
| Decorative pavers | $7 – $30 | Stone, composite, rubber, or ivory; Floral designs |
| Flagstone | $3 – $15 | Sandstone, quartzite, bluestone, limestone; Colors: red, blue, brown, buff, gray |
| Rock steps | $135 – $300 each | Made by RockStep® brand; 30″ to 48″ wide; Crack-resistant |
Cost To Install Landscape Rock
Cost to install landscape rock
| Factor | Install cost per ton |
|---|---|
| Rock material | $45 – $130 |
| Delivery | $5 – $10 |
| Installation | $25 – $100 |
| Total cost to install | $75 – $240 |
Landscape or River Rock Delivery Costs
Delivery fees vary based on distance, volume, and the provider. Estimate $5 to $10 per ton for delivery costs.
Landscape Rock Removal Cost
Rock removal can be labor-intensive and costly, especially if heavy machinery is required. Plan for $1 to $2 per square foot for removal tasks.
How Much River Rock Do I Need?
River rock coverage calculator
| Metric | 2″ deep | 3″ deep | 4″ deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ton | 115 SF – 135 SF | 80 SF – 90 SF | 55 SF – 65 SF |
| Cubic yard | 160 SF – 170 SF | 100 SF – 110 SF | 75 SF – 85 SF |
| Bag (40 lbs.) | 2.5 SF – 3.0 SF | 1.5 SF – 2.0 SF | 1.0 SF – 1.5 SF |
How To Measure For Landscape Rock
Landscape rock calculator
| Rock bed size (feet) | Square feet | Cubic yards | Rock cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2’x10′ | 20 | 0.10 – 0.25 | $10 – $25 |
| 5’x5′ | 30 | 0.15 – 0.30 | $15 – $30 |
| 5’x10′ | 50 | 0.30 – 0.60 | $30 – $60 |
| 10’x10′ | 100 | 0.60 – 1.20 | $60 – $120 |
| 10’x20′ | 200 | 1.20 – 2.50 | $120 – $250 |
| 15’x15′ | 225 | 1.40 – 2.80 | $140 – $280 |
How Deep Should Landscape Rock Be?
Landscape rock depth chart
| Rock or stone size | Suggested depth |
|---|---|
| 1/2″ or less | 2″ |
| 1/2″ to 1″ | 3″ |
| 1″ or larger | 4″ |
River Rock Sizes
River rock size chart
| Rock size | Benefits and usage |
|---|---|
| 3/8-to-3/4-inch | Smooth layers, comfortable underfoot, pathways, playgrounds, mulch substitute |
| 1-inch | Walkways, general landscaping, riverbeds |
| 1-to-3-inch | Water features, around pools, enhancing waterfalls |
| 3-to-5-inch | Design accents, garden borders, stackable for retaining walls |
Where To Buy Landscaping River Rocks?
Places to buy landscaping rocks and stones
| Store | Rock selection |
|---|---|
| Home Depot | Bags of 5–50 lbs. river rock (0.75″–6″), decorative stones, lava rock, pallet bags |
| Menards | Bags of 0.5–1 cu ft., decorative stones, lava rock, river rock, multi-purpose gravel |
| Lowe’s | Bags of 20–30 lbs., pallet bags, river rock, decorative stones, lava rock |
| Ace Hardware | Containers of 1.5–5 lbs., 50-lb bags, decorative stones, lava rock, pond pebbles |
| Pioneer | Decorative rock, river rock, cobble, beach pebbles, rip rap, boulders |
| Walmart | Bags of 20–30 lbs., river rock in many colors, polished or natural, Mexican beach pebbles, lava rock, decorative stones |
What Is The Cheapest Rock For Landscaping?
Crushed stone and gravel are generally the least expensive options, costing around $10 to $50 per ton.
How To Landscape With River Rocks?
When landscaping with river rocks, consider the design, rock size, and area coverage. Multiple types and colors can be used to enhance the aesthetic appeal.
Types of River Rocks For Landscaping
Types of river rocks and prices
| Rock type / origin | Price per ton | Price per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona river rock | $120 – $220 | $160 – $300 |
| Colorado river rock | $50 – $300 | $65 – $360 |
| Delaware river rock | $95 – $130 | $115 – $180 |
| Tennessee river rock | $110 – $130 | $130 – $160 |
| Multicolored / Rainbow river rock | $70 – $165 | $85 – $225 |
| Flat river rock | $190 – $500 | $230 – $675 |
| Mississippi river stone | $60 – $95 | $75 – $125 |
| Missouri river rock | $95 – $225 | $115 – $300 |
| Indian river rock | $130 – $290 | $155 – $390 |
| Blue Montana river rock | $70 – $90 | $85 – $120 |
| Cherokee river rock | $95 – $125 | $115 – $170 |
| Carolina river rock | $75 – $95 | $90 – $130 |
| White river rock | $85 – $140 | $100 – $190 |
Pros and Cons of Landscaping With Rocks and Stones
Pros and cons of rock landscaping
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low-maintenance – washable | Weight – can sink into soil |
| Variety – many colors, sizes, shapes, textures | Safety – can damage mowers |
| Longevity – doesn’t fade or decompose | Heat – gets hot in summers |
| Anchoring – stops soil erosion | Not plant-friendly – lacks soil nutrients |
| Durability – long-lasting in heavy foot traffic | Expense – costs more than mulch |
| Pest-proof – termite-resistant | Removal – labor-intensive |
| Protection – barrier to wildfires | Weed barriers – needs landscape fabric |
| Environment – keeps ground cool, reduces water use | Debris buildup – collects leaves |
How Much Does River Rock Weigh?
River rock weight per unit
| Measurement | Weight |
|---|---|
| Cubic foot | 90 – 100 lbs. |
| Cubic yard | 2,400 – 2,700 lbs. |
| Typical bag | 20 – 50 lbs. |
| Pallet | 800 – 3,000 lbs. |
DIY vs. Hiring A Landscaper To Deliver And Install Rock
For those considering DIY, be mindful of the labor and equipment required. Hiring professionals can ensure proper installation and coverage.
Hiring Landscapers
When hiring a landscaper, expect professional, efficient work, potentially saving time and ensuring quality. Get quotes, check reviews, and verify credentials before making a decision.
Questions To Ask Quarries Or Landscaping Companies
Before finalizing a purchase or hiring a contractor, ask about the types of rocks available, delivery options, installation processes, guarantees, and customer testimonials.
