You’re not alone if you’ve ever stood in your yard wondering how much is a yard of river rock and whether it’s really worth the cost. Most people who own homes agree on one thing: landscaping rocks look great, but the prices can be hard to understand. The right choice for your home isn’t just the sticker price; it’s also how you plan to use it, how much coverage you need, and how much value it will have in the long run.
I promise to explain river rock prices in simple terms and give you real numbers you can trust in this guide. You’ll find out how much a yard of river rock costs on average, how much coverage you get, how much it costs to deliver and install it, and how to save money. At the end, you’ll know exactly how much river rock you need for your yard and how to plan for it with confidence.
Average Cost of River Rock Per Cubic Yard in 2026
On average, river rock costs $45 to $130 per cubic yard in bulk. The price range depends on rock size, color, type, and your location.
Price by Rock Type
| Rock Type | Cost Per Cubic Yard |
| Pea Gravel (3/8″) | $35 – $55 |
| Standard River Rock (1–3″) | $50 – $80 |
| Large River Rock (3–5″) | $65 – $110 |
| Decorative Polished Rock | $80 – $130 |
| Mexican Beach Pebbles | $100 – $200+ |
For small garden borders, a few bags may be enough. But for anything larger, a dry creek bed, full backyard coverage, or drainage channel buying in bulk by the cubic yard is almost always cheaper.
River Rock Cost Per Yard vs Per Ton (Which Is Cheaper?)
One of the most confusing parts of visiting a rock yard is that some sell by volume (cubic yards) while others sell by weight (tons). So, is it cheaper to buy river rock by the ton or by the yard?
Generally, they are roughly equivalent, but here is the math you need to know: one cubic yard of river rock weighs approximately 2,800 to 3,000 pounds (about 1.4 to 1.5 tons).
| Unit | Average Price Range | Best For |
| Cubic Yard | $100 – $180 | Visualizing space (filling a hole/bed) |
| Ton | $80 – $130 | Determining truck weight limits |
Buying by the ton is often slightly cheaper at commercial quarries, but for residential projects, buying by the yard makes it much easier to calculate landscaping rock coverage without needing a degree in geology.
How Much Area Does One Yard of River Rock Cover?
Before you back up the truck, you need to know your square footage coverage. If you spread your rock too thin, the landscape fabric will peek through (which looks messy). If you go too deep, you’re just throwing money into the dirt.
A single cubic yard of river rock covers:
- 160 square feet at a 2-inch depth.
- 110 square feet at a 3-inch depth (the “Goldilocks” zone for most yards).
- 80 square feet at a 4-inch depth (recommended for drainage pits or areas with heavy foot traffic).
Why Rock Depth (2 inch, 3 inch, 4 inch) Matters
At Robert’s Complete Care, we always recommend a minimum of 3 inches for river rock. Because these stones are rounded, they don’t “lock” together like crushed gravel. A 3-inch layer ensures that when the stones shift, you still have total coverage over your soil or weed barrier.
How to Calculate Landscape Rock Needs
Formula: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards Needed
Example
Covering a 20 ft × 10 ft garden bed at 3 inches deep:
- 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft
- 200 × 0.25 (3″ = 0.25 ft) = 50 cubic feet
- 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards
- Round up to 2 yards to account for settling
Always add 10% extra for waste and uneven spreading.
How Many Bags of River Rock Are in a Cubic Yard?
If you don’t have a truck or a place to dump a massive pile of stone, you might be looking at a bag of landscape rocks from a big-box store. This is the most expensive way to buy rock, but it is convenient for small touch-ups.
Most standard bags are 0.5 cubic feet. Since there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard, you would need 54 bags to equal just one yard of bulk rock.
- Bulk Cost: ~$130 per yard.
- Bagged Cost: ~$250 – $400 per yard (when buying 54 bags).
If your project requires more than 15 bags, it is almost always cheaper to pay for a bulk delivery.
River Rock Delivery Cost Per Yard
Delivery is one of the costs that catches homeowners off guard the most, so don’t forget about it. Most landscaping suppliers charge a delivery fee in addition to the cost of the materials. This fee can be very different depending on how far away you are from their store.
Most suppliers charge a flat fee of $50 to $150 for deliveries that are 10 to 20 miles away. If you live outside of their free delivery area, you should expect to pay an extra $5 to $10 per mile. Also, remember that many suppliers have a minimum order size for delivery, which is usually 1 to 2 cubic yards. This means that a small order may not be able to be delivered. If you need the rock right away, rush or same-day delivery can add $50 to $100 to the cost, depending on the company.
Installed Cost of River Rock Per Yard
Want a pro to handle it? Here’s what full installation costs:
| Item | Cost |
| River Rock (material) | $45 – $130/cu yd |
| Weed barrier | $0.20 – $0.50/sq ft |
| Labor to spread | $50 – $100/hr or $1–$3/sq ft |
| Site prep | $50 – $150 |
| Total installed estimate | $150 – $400/cu yd |
If you’re in Southern California and want professional results without the hassle, Robert’s Complete Care offers Expert Hardscaping in Whittier, CA from grading and edging to full river rock installation.
Cost of River Rock by Project Type
Dry Creek Bed: A typical 20 ft × 3 ft dry creek bed at 4 inches deep needs about 0.75 cubic yards of rock. You’ll spend $50–$100 on materials alone, or $200–$500 once you add labor and landscape fabric.
Garden Border or Bed Cover: Depending on the size of your garden, plan on 1–3 cubic yards. Materials run $100–$350, and with professional installation you’re looking at $200–$650 total.
Walkway: A 50 ft × 4 ft walkway at 3 inches deep takes roughly 1.85 cubic yards. Budget $90–$250 for the rock itself, or $400–$900 installed with proper edging included.
Drainage and Erosion Control: These projects require the deepest rock layer usually 4 to 6 inches so they use the most material and tend to cost the most overall. Get a custom quote based on your specific area and slope.
Where to Buy Landscaping River Rocks
Local Stone Yards & Quarries
Almost always the cheapest for bulk. Search “how much is a yard of river rock near me” to find local suppliers. Prices vary widely by region.
Home Improvement Stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s)
Convenient but expensive per cubic yard. Best for small touch-ups only.
Online Landscape Supply Marketplaces
Sites like LandscapeHub let you order bulk and have it delivered. Watch out for high shipping fees on heavy materials.
Landscape Contractors
A trusted contractor can often source rock at trade pricing and include it in an all-in installation quote sometimes costing the same or less than DIY sourcing.
Conclusion
So, how much is a yard of river rock really? In most cases, homeowners can expect to pay $50 to $160 per cubic yard, with total installed costs reaching up to $240 per yard once delivery and labor are included. By understanding coverage, depth, bulk pricing, and installation factors, you can plan your landscaping project with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
If you’re unsure how much river rock your yard needs or want a professional opinion before buying, contact us today. The team at Robert’s Complete Care is happy to help you estimate costs, choose the right materials, and design a durable, great-looking landscape solution tailored to your property. Reach out now to get expert guidance and turn your landscaping vision into reality.
FAQs
How much does 1 cubic yard of river rock cost?
$45–$130 depending on type, size, and location.
Is it cheaper to buy river rock by the ton or by the yard?
Usually about the same once you do the math. Always compare total project cost from both quotes.
How many square feet does a yard of river rock cover?
About 160 sq ft at 2″ deep, 108 sq ft at 3″ deep, 81 sq ft at 4″ deep.
How deep should river rock be for landscaping?
2–3 inches for decorative cover, 4–6 inches for drainage, 3 inches for walkways.
How many bags of river rock equal a cubic yard?
54 bags (at 0.5 cu ft each) = 1 cubic yard.
How much does river rock weigh per yard?
Approximately 2,400–2,700 lbs (1.2–1.35 tons) per cubic yard.
How much is a yard of river rock near me?
Search local stone yards and quarries for the most accurate pricing in your area — regional prices vary significantly.
