Gravel Driveway Calculator › Cost by city › Houston, TX
Gravel Cost in Houston, TX
Gravel for a 12×24 ft gravel driveway in Houston, TX costs about $163 ($139–$187). Local 2026 price is around $44 per ton. Free calculator inside.
What goes into gravel cost in Houston
The line items below are 2026 national averages adjusted by the TX construction-cost factor (×0.97). A written Houston quote is usually built from these pieces — use them to sanity-check any bid line by line before you sign.
| Cost item | Typical Houston price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone / road base, material | $34 – $58 | per ton |
| Delivery, 10–15 ton dump load | $48 – $146 | per load |
| Spreading & grading labor | $0.97 – $2.91 | per sq ft |
| Geotextile fabric underlayment | $0.29 – $0.58 | 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 Houston
Over expansive “gumbo” clay that swells when wet and shrinks in drought, gravel disappears into the subgrade within a couple of seasons unless you use fabric and a thicker (6-inch-plus) compacted base. Budget the fabric — it costs less than the first re-graveling.
Permits: for larger flatwork, driveways, or anything structural, check requirements with Houston Permitting Center before work starts.
Estimate your own Houston project
Prices in Houston, TX run about -3% versus the national average. Enter your dimensions — the calculator starts from the local $44 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 $163 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: $44 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 Houston by project size
Material quantities use the local Houston unit price; the last column adds delivery, base prep, and labor at TX-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 | $113 | $291 – $776 |
| 12×24 ft · 3 in | 2.67 cu yd | $163 | $419 – $1,117 |
| 16×40 ft · 3 in | 5.93 cu yd | $362 | $931 – $2,483 |
| 20×40 ft · 3 in | 7.41 cu yd | $453 | $1,164 – $3,104 |
| 20×50 ft · 3 in | 9.26 cu yd | $566 | $1,455 – $3,880 |
| 24×60 ft · 3 in | 13.33 cu yd | $815 | $2,095 – $5,587 |
Installed ranges assume straightforward access and a buildable subgrade; steep, tight, or poor-soil sites price above the top of the range.
Gravel questions Houston homeowners ask
- How much does a gravel driveway cost in Houston?
- Material for a 12×24 ft gravel driveway runs about $163 in Houston. Installed — delivery, spreading, grading, and compaction — expect $419 to $1,117 depending on depth and base work.
- What does gravel cost per ton in Houston?
- Crushed stone and road base run about $34–$58 per ton in the Houston area, plus a delivery fee of $48–$146 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 Houston?
- Yes — over expansive “gumbo” clay that swells when wet and shrinks in drought, stone gets pumped down into the subgrade within a couple of seasons. Fabric costs $0.29–$0.58 per square foot, far less than the first re-graveling.
- How often does a gravel driveway need topping up in Houston?
- Plan on a 1–2 inch top-up every 2–4 years plus occasional regrading to fix ruts and restore the crown — a fraction of the cost of rebuilding a neglected base.
Gravel cost in nearby cities
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Regional estimate = national average adjusted by a TX cost factor. Not a quote. Actual prices vary by site conditions, access, and supplier.