Crushed Gravel vs. Chips: which one do I need? This is one of the most common questions that we get here at our landscape yard, and the answer is surprisingly simple! Crushed gravel has a significant amount of fines included in the product. This is intentional, as crushed gravel is meant to compact down for a sturdy base. Fines help fill in negative space between the bigger pieces of gravel. When this is combined with the angular shape of the crushed rock, everything locks together tightly. This creates excellent bases for things like concrete pads or outbuildings, as well as driveways.
That being said, there are a few nuances between each of the sizes that we offer.
Crushed Gravel Options:
- 3/8” Crushed Basalt is the smallest gravel size supplied at Dow. Because of its small size mixed with the fines, this product compacts very well, making it a great choice for a level base under sheds, concrete pads, pathways, and other flat areas.
- 5/8” Crushed Basalt is our most popular gravel for driveways, best used as a top layer (sometimes called top course) for its compatibility and smaller size. This size is also county spec for gravel roads here in Spokane County. We recommend 5/8” as a compactable base as well- its perfect for under concrete, sheds, footings, and more.
- 7/8” Crushed Basalt is slightly bigger than 5/8” but still works well on driveways. Where 5/8″ is the standardized county spec, 7/8″ is a crushed bi-product, so it is a bit cheaper while still offering a very similar look and performance. This gravel can also be used as a cheap fill.
- 1.25” Crushed Basalt is recommend for muddy driveways, creating walkways, building up roads, and otherwise adding structure back into high-traffic areas. Commonly used as a middle layer when building roads, this gravel binds together and contributes to a sturdy base.
So, what about Chipped Basalt? Chips are clean gravel, meaning there are little to no fines in the product. This makes it a popular decorative rock option for those working on budget! They can also be used in areas to help support drainage. Chips could be used as a driveway gravel if you have a significant amount of mud, binder, or dirt that you need some structure added into. Otherwise, it is not recommended for driving areas as it will likely roll/move around with use, and it won’t pack on it’s own.
Chipped Gravel Options:
- 3/4” Chips are a clean gravel, comparable in size to our 5/8” or 7/8” Crushed, but without the fines. This product can be used to break up areas with high-traffic areas with a lot of dirt, or as an economical landscape rock around shrubs or structures. It can also be used for certain drainage applications.
- 1.5” Chips have a very similar use case to the 3/4″ size, they’re just slightly larger. This is a uniform looking product that is quite versatile. In the winter months, it can be used to break up muddy areas and add structure, or as a cost-effective landscaping rock. If you’re looking for something a bit more high-end than this for your landscaping, check out our Jet Black!
How Much Material Do I Need?
We can absolutely help with this! To calculate this yourself, check out our material calculator. Simply plug in the dimensions of your project (length and width require feet, depth is in inches) and your required yardage will auto populate. Please note – this calculates cubic yards (volume), and some of our products are sold by the ton (weight). A good rule of thumb for most products is to multiply the yardage required by approximately 1.25 to get tons. However, each product will vary slightly. If you need help or have questions with this, give us a call at 509-235-4511 and one of our Sales Associates will help you get the right numbers for your project.
Crushed Gravel vs. Chips: Delivery Options
To guarantee the right truck size for you and your project, Dow Rocks has 3 different truck size/options:
- Dully Flatbed: 2.5 tons or 3 yards
- F-750 Dump Truck: 8 tons or 6 yards
- Kenworth Dump Truck: 15 tons or 12 yards
Skip the hassle of multiple trips to the landscape yard. We deliver crushed gravel and chips straight to your property, from Spokane to Ritzville. Whether you need a few yards for a small walkway or enough for a full driveway, we can deliver as little as 1 ton, or up to as much as your project requires. To set up a delivery, stop by our office, give us a call, or request a quote on our website. For the most accurate estimate, just provide your address, product, and desired amount.
Still confused about which gravel is right for you? Call (509) 235-4511 to talk to a Dow Sales Associate! We’re always happy to help.
