Gravel Driveway Calculator › Cost by city › Denver, CO
Gravel Cost in Denver, CO
Gravel for a 12×24 ft gravel driveway in Denver, CO costs about $181 ($154–$209). Local 2026 price is around $49 per ton. Free calculator inside.
What goes into gravel cost in Denver
The line items below are 2026 national averages adjusted by the CO construction-cost factor (×1.08). A written Denver quote is usually built from these pieces — use them to sanity-check any bid line by line before you sign.
| Cost item | Typical Denver price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone / road base, material | $38 – $65 | per ton |
| Delivery, 10–15 ton dump load | $54 – $162 | per load |
| Spreading & grading labor | $1.08 – $3.24 | per sq ft |
| Geotextile fabric underlayment | $0.32 – $0.65 | per sq ft |
Permit fees are set by the city rather than the market — confirm current fees with the local building department.
What’s different about building in Denver
Frost heave is the main threat to gravel surfaces in Denver: lay geotextile fabric under the base so the stone doesn't pump down into expansive bentonite clay in many neighborhoods during spring thaw.
Permits: for larger flatwork, driveways, or anything structural, check requirements with Denver Community Planning & Development before work starts.
Estimate your own Denver project
Prices in Denver, CO run about +8% versus the national average. Enter your dimensions — the calculator starts from the local $49 per ton rate; change it to your supplier's quote for an exact figure.
Material shopping list
- Order about 2.67 cubic yards of gravel.
- Budget about $181 before delivery, taxes, and labor.
- Add 5–10% waste for uneven subgrade, cuts, settling, or spillage.
Formula & assumptions
Area = length x width. Volume = area x depth / 12. Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27. Cost = quantity x local unit price.
- Default depth: 3 inches
- Default price: $49 per ton
- Weight factor: 1.4 tons per cubic yard
These assumptions make the estimate easy for search engines and AI answer tools to verify. Replace the default price with your supplier quote for a local estimate.
Gravel cost in Denver by project size
Material quantities use the local Denver unit price; the last column adds delivery, base prep, and labor at CO-adjusted rates. Click any size for its full breakdown and calculator.
| Project size | You need | Material cost | Installed estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×20 ft · 3 in | 1.85 cu yd | $126 | $324 – $864 |
| 12×24 ft · 3 in | 2.67 cu yd | $181 | $467 – $1,244 |
| 16×40 ft · 3 in | 5.93 cu yd | $403 | $1,037 – $2,765 |
| 20×40 ft · 3 in | 7.41 cu yd | $504 | $1,296 – $3,456 |
| 20×50 ft · 3 in | 9.26 cu yd | $630 | $1,620 – $4,320 |
| 24×60 ft · 3 in | 13.33 cu yd | $907 | $2,333 – $6,221 |
Installed ranges assume straightforward access and a buildable subgrade; steep, tight, or poor-soil sites price above the top of the range.
Gravel questions Denver homeowners ask
- How much does a gravel driveway cost in Denver?
- Material for a 12×24 ft gravel driveway runs about $181 in Denver. Installed — delivery, spreading, grading, and compaction — expect $467 to $1,244 depending on depth and base work.
- What does gravel cost per ton in Denver?
- Crushed stone and road base run about $38–$65 per ton in the Denver area, plus a delivery fee of $54–$162 per dump-truck load. Larger loads cost less per ton, so one 15-ton delivery beats three small ones.
- How many tons of gravel do I need?
- Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.4 — crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. The calculator above does this automatically.
- Is geotextile fabric worth it in Denver?
- Yes — over expansive bentonite clay in many neighborhoods, stone gets pumped down into the subgrade within a couple of seasons. Fabric costs $0.32–$0.65 per square foot, far less than the first re-graveling.
- How often does a gravel driveway need topping up in Denver?
- Freeze-thaw cycles pump fines up and stone down, so plan on a 1–2 inch top-up every 2–3 years plus spring regrading.
Gravel cost in nearby cities
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Regional estimate = national average adjusted by a CO cost factor. Not a quote. Actual prices vary by site conditions, access, and supplier.