Typical gravel costs in Iowa
| Item | IA typical range |
|---|---|
| Gravel, per ton (material) | $9–$44 |
| Gravel, per cubic yard (material) | $13–$67 |
| Delivery, per ton | $9–$22 |
| Path 30 × 3 ft, 3 in deep (≈1.2 t) | $11–$53 |
| Patio base 12 × 12 ft, 4 in (≈2.5 t) | $22–$111 |
| Driveway 50 × 12 ft, 4 in top-up (≈10.4 t) | $92–$462 |
| Pea gravel, per ton | $25–$40 |
| Crusher run, per ton | $21–$30 |
| River rock, per ton | $29–$43 |
| Crushed limestone, per ton | $27–$34 |
| Road base, per ton | $16–$27 |
Iowa vs. neighboring states
| State | Typical per ton | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $9–$44 | −11.9% |
| Iowa | $9–$44 | −11.2% |
| Nebraska | $9–$45 | −9.6% |
| Missouri | $9–$46 | −8.2% |
| Wisconsin | $9–$47 | −6.9% |
| Minnesota | $10–$49 | −1.6% |
| Illinois | $10–$49 | −1.1% |
The lowest typical prices among Iowa and its neighbors are in South Dakota. If you live near the state line, a supplier across the border may be worth a quote — but delivery distance usually decides the final price.
What affects the price
Gravel is cheap to produce and expensive to move, so the distance from the quarry often matters more than the stone itself. Decorative stone and washed, screened products cost more than crusher run and road base.
The numbers on this page are estimates for planning. They take a national 2026 price range and scale it by Iowa's overall price level (88.8 against a U.S. average of 100). Prices within the state can differ a lot between a metro area and a rural county.
Sources
- U.S. price range: HomeGuide — Gravel Prices, updated December 19, 2025.
- State price level: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by State (Table SARPP), 2023 — as published in the Hawaii State Data Book, table 14.02.
- How we combine them: methodology.