Crushed Concrete Cost Calculator

By Michael Woo · Updated June 2026

Crushed gravel (¾" minus, base/fill grade): +1.2% vs last month · index updated May 2026

Your state (adjusts the estimate for local cost level)

The national estimate is adjusted by your state's overall price level (BEA Regional Price Parities, 2022, U.S.=100). This is a cost-of-living proxy applied to the national crushed concrete price — not a per-state crushed concrete quote. Always get local quotes before buying.

$92–$147 3.67 tons (2.72 yd³) incl. 10% compaction allowance · $25–$40/ton crushed limestone

Gravel material 100% $92–$147

Not included in this price: excavation beyond 6 inches, rebar upgrades, decorative stamping or staining, tree root removal, grading or fill, formwork, concrete pump rental, building permits.

BLS PPI — Construction Sand and Gravel Mining BLS OEWS — Construction Laborers (47-2061)

How this is calculated

Formula: L × W × (D ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × 1.10 compaction × density = tons × $/ton by gravel type (BLS PPI-indexed)

Input	Value	Unit
Length	20	ft
Width	10	ft
Depth	4	in
Gravel type	1
Waste allowance	10	%

Crushed Concrete Cost by Type

Per-ton river price by gravel type for crushed concrete. The calculator above defaults to Crushed limestone; switch the selector to price any grade against your own dimensions.

Gravel type	Price per ton river	How it differs	When to use
Crushed limestone	$25–$40	$25–$40/ton; angular edges interlock when compacted; alkaline pH, avoid near acid-loving plants	Driveways, base layer under pavers, and high-traffic gravel paths
Decomposed granite	$35–$50	$35–$50/ton; compacts to a hard-pack surface; fine particles fill voids	Pathways, desert landscaping, and areas where a firm walkable surface is needed
River rock	$40–$65	$40–$65/ton; smooth, rounded; does not compact — rolls underfoot	Decorative beds, dry creek channels, and drainage swales

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Price Per Unit — Gravel Crushed

Unit	Low	High
per ton	$25.00	$65.00
per cubic yard	$33.75	$87.75
per cubic foot	$1.25	$3.25

Ways to save on this project

Source directly from a concrete recycler instead of a landscape supply reseller

$8–$20/ton direct versus $18–$35/ton resold — saves 40%–60% on material cost

Use crushed concrete as base and buy only the finish layer in premium stone

4-inch RCA base at $12/ton plus 2-inch crusher run top at $35/ton saves $80–$200 versus 6 inches of all-virgin stone on a 15-ton driveway

Pick up small loads at the recycler's yard where material is often priced at $5–$10 per ton

Self-pickup saves $75–$150 delivery fee on loads under 5 tons

Example project costs

Small crushed concrete project (200 sq ft)

200 sq ft

Material	$200–$600
Labor	$300–$800
Total	$500–$1,400

Mid-size crushed concrete project (500 sq ft)

500 sq ft

Material	$500–$1,500
Labor	$750–$2,000
Total	$1,250–$3,500

Large crushed concrete project (1,200 sq ft)

1,200 sq ft

Material	$1,200–$3,600
Labor	$1,800–$4,800
Total	$3,000–$8,400

Crushed Concrete vs Alternative Base Materials

Option	Pros & Cons	Best For
Crushed Concrete (RCA)	$8–$35/ton, self-cementing, alkaline pH, may contain contaminants	Driveway bases, parking pads, temporary construction roads
Crusher Run (Virgin Stone)	$25–$45/ton, consistent quality, neutral pH, no contaminants	Permanent structural bases, under-slab fill, any application near plantings
Recycled Asphalt (RAP)	$10–$30/ton, softens in heat and re-bonds, black color	Driveway surfaces, parking areas, rural roads
Clean #57 Stone	$35–$55/ton, excellent drainage, no fines, does not compact solid	Drainage backfill, French drains, pipe bedding

Pro tips

Source crushed concrete from demolition contractors, not landscape yards

Demolition contractors and concrete recyclers charge $8–$20/ton for 3/4-inch RCA. Landscape yards resell the exact same material at $18–$35/ton — a 40–80% markup for moving it across a parking lot. On a driveway base needing 15–20 tons, going direct saves $150–$300, enough to cover delivery. Search for concrete recycling facilities within 20 miles; many demolition companies give away broken concrete free for pickup. Call ahead to confirm sizing availability. Delivery typically runs $75–$200 per truckload within 15 miles, with most trucks hauling 10–20 tons per trip. Order 20+ tons in a single load and volume pricing kicks in at $6–$15/ton — 30–40% below retail.

Test the pH of recycled concrete before using it in planted areas

Fresh crushed concrete has a pH of 11–12.5 versus the 6.5–7.5 ideal for most plants. Leaching calcium hydroxide that raises soil pH within a 6–12 inch radius. Killing acid-lovers like azaleas (pH 4.5–5.5). Aged RCA exposed to rain for 6+ months drops to pH 8–9, tolerable for most landscape plants but still too alkaline for acid-lovers. Keep crushed concrete at least 12 inches from any planting bed; a $10 soil pH test kit confirms whether your specific batch is safe.

Compact crushed concrete in lifts of 3 to 4 inches maximum

Compaction energy does not penetrate past 3–4 inches through angular aggregate. So dumping a full 8-inch layer and running a compactor once leaves the bottom 4 inches loose. Compact the first 4-inch lift to 95% Modified Proctor density, then add the second 4-inch lift and compact again. A plate compactor rental costs $60–$90/day for areas up to 2,000 sq ft; rent a vibratory roller at $150–$250/day for faster coverage on larger sites. Make 4–6 passes per lift with the plate compactor, overlapping each pass by 50%.

Hidden costs

Delivery minimum versus pickup pricing

Crushed concrete (RCA) runs $25–$65/ton, but most recyclers set a 10-ton minimum and charge $90–$160 for the truck regardless of load size. At $40/ton mid-price, a 10-ton load is $400 of material plus roughly $120 haul. But if you only need 4 tons, you still pay the 10-ton minimum, pushing effective cost to over $130/ton. Picking it up yourself saves the haul fee but caps you at 1 ton per trip because RCA weighs 2,400–2,600 lb per cubic yard. Heavier than the legal payload of a half-ton pickup. RCA is almost always cheaper per ton than virgin crushed stone at $26–$48/ton. But that advantage evaporates on small orders where the fixed delivery fee dominates.

Budgeting for the full project? Estimate costs with our Concrete Pump Truck Hour Cost Calculator.

Need to price this step too? Use our Gravel Cost Calculator to get an accurate estimate.

Compaction equipment rental

A plate compactor rents for $60–$90/day and handles lifts up to 4–6 inches; for a driveway base, a reversible plate or jumping-jack tamper runs $90–$130/day. RCA must be placed and compacted in lifts no thicker than 4 inches, watered to near-optimal moisture. Run over in multiple passes — a 20×10 driveway base at 6 inches needs 2 lifts and most of a rental day. The aggregate-spread labor runs $0.05–$0.15/sq ft (BLS OEWS 47-4099) for spreading alone, with equipment cost on top. Under-compacted RCA shows visible rutting and birdbaths within 1 year of traffic.

Don’t forget to budget for related work — try our Pea Gravel Cost Calculator.

Planning the next phase? Our Gravel Driveway Cost Calculator can help you estimate.

Geotextile fabric and base depth on soft soil

On clay or soft subgrade, crushed concrete needs a woven geotextile separation fabric ($0.20–$0.50/sq ft) or the angular RCA punches into the mud and disappears. Consuming an extra ton of material per 200 sq ft. Roughly $40 lost into the subgrade. Base depth scales with load: foot-traffic paths need 3–4 inches, car driveways need 4–6 inches. Driveways over soft clay need 8–12 inches plus fabric. Calculating to the thin end on bad soil is the hidden cost that shows up as a second $400+ delivery.

This project often pairs with related work — estimate it with our Gravel Dump Truck Calculator.

Disposal of the old surface and reuse rebar warning

Demolition and disposal of a failed slab runs $1.50–$4.00/sq ft. Dump fees for concrete are $30–$75/ton at a transfer station. Even though that same broken concrete is what gets crushed into the RCA you are buying. Cheaper unscreened 'crusher run' RCA can hide steel slivers that puncture tires ($80–$250 per replacement) or cut hands during spreading, versus the $3–$8/ton premium for screened, magnet-separated RCA. Pay the $3–$8/ton screened-grade premium if the surface will see bare feet or bike tires, and wear gloves when spreading any grade.

Formwork, pump rental, and permits

Edge containment needs formwork — 2×4 or 2×6 lumber at $2–$5 per linear foot, adding $100–$300 on a 60-foot perimeter. If the pour site sits more than 50 feet from truck access, a concrete pump tacks on $200–$600 mobilization plus $10–$15 per yard. Don't skip the permit. Building permits for driveways and structural slabs average $75–$250, and applying after the pour triggers stop-work orders and potential demolition requirements costing $2,000–$5,000.

Rookie mistakes

Using crushed concrete as a finished driveway surface without a top coat

Within 6–12 months of traffic, surface fines wash away leaving rough, potholed angular stone that punctures shoe soles and shows every oil stain. A proper crushed-concrete driveway uses 4–6 inches of RCA base topped with 2–3 inches of crusher run or 3/4-inch clean gravel. The finish stone adds $15–$35/ton. On a 1,500 sq ft driveway that is 3–5 tons at $45–$175 total, a small cost for a surface you can use without complaint. Without a finish layer, maintenance costs $200–$400/year in top-dressing and re-grading compared to $50–$100/year with proper topping stone.

Not removing rebar and metal debris from recycled concrete

Rebar slivers and wire ties missed by the crusher puncture tires ($80–$250 per replacement), injure barefoot walkers, and rust into orange stains on light-colored surfaces. Use a magnetic rake ($25–$40 rental) on the surface after spreading to catch embedded fragments. The 15 minutes with a magnetic rake prevents a single $150 tire replacement — paying for the rake 4–6 times over. On a 1,500-sq-ft driveway, expect to pull 5–15 metal fragments per 10-ton load from non-magnetically-cleaned RCA. For paths and patios where bare feet are common, make 2–3 passes with the magnetic rake and follow with a visual scan.

Placing crushed concrete in drainage applications without washing

Standard RCA contains 10–20% cement dust fines that wash into drainage void spaces during the first rain, reducing percolation rate by 50–80% within one season. A French drain filled with unwashed RCA instead of clean #57 stone fails within 1–3 years. This requires full excavation and replacement at $12–$25 per linear foot. The initial savings of $10–$20/ton (RCA versus clean stone) on a 50-foot drain saves $30–$60 upfront but triggers a $600–$1,250 rebuild. Triple-washing RCA removes 85–90% of fines but adds $5–$10/ton in processing cost, narrowing the price gap to $0–$10/ton versus clean stone.

What NOT to build with crushed concrete

Don't use crushed concrete for: French drains, infiltration trenches, or any subsurface drainage

Cement fines in recycled concrete clog the soil-stone interface. Percolation rates drop 50–80% within 1–3 years. A failed French drain costs $12–$25 per linear foot to excavate and rebuild — all avoidable. Drainage applications require clean washed aggregate (#57 or #4 stone) with less than 2% fines content.

Don't use crushed concrete for: Base material under concrete slabs or masonry where sulfate exposure is possible

Sulfate compounds in RCA react with new cement paste (delayed ettringite formation), causing expansion and cracking in the new slab within 3–7 years. Expansion damage to a new slab requires full removal and repour at $10–$15/sq ft. ASTM D6026 recommends testing RCA for sulfate content before using it under new concrete.

Bulk delivery vs. bags from a home center

The red line shows what you would pay buying 50 lb bags at a home center. The blue line shows bulk delivery (flat fee + price per ton). Where the amber dashed line crosses is your break-even — below that tonnage, bags save money; above it, bulk delivery wins. The dark dashed line marks your current project.

Retail bags (50 lb) Bulk delivery Break-even at 0.49 tons

Bulk delivery typically requires a 5–10 ton minimum. Below ~1.5 tons, bagged crushed concrete from a home center is cheaper despite the per-unit markup.

Tools required for an RCA base

Core kit: contractor wheelbarrow, steel landscape rake, hand tamper for edges. For any driveway-grade base, rent a reversible plate compactor at $90–$130/day — that's the right machine. Set grade with a 4-foot level and string line. Wet each lift with a garden hose before compacting — RCA locks together only when slightly damp; dry fines just shift without bonding. One non-negotiable: an N95 dust mask. Alkaline cement powder blows off at highway speed and causes real respiratory irritation with repeated exposure.

Skill level and the lift-thickness failure

Spreading and compacting RCA is within reach of a determined DIYer, but the failure mode is compacting too thick a lift. A plate compactor only densifies the top 4 inches, so an 8-inch dump leaves the bottom half loose and the surface sinks within 1 year. Place and compact in lifts of 4 inches maximum. Checking each with the plate until it stops sinking and the machine bounces, targeting 95% Proctor density (ASTM D1557). Spray each lift to damp-not-muddy: at the right moisture content, RCA locks tighter than rounded river gravel. A correct DIY base outperforms a rushed contractor job at $3–$6/sq ft savings.

Time estimate by area and depth

Budget 1 person-hour per 100–150 sq ft of compacted base at 4-inch depth. Roughly double the time of spreading loose gravel because of the compaction passes and the water-and-wait. The default 20×10 driveway base (200 sq ft) at 4 inches is about 2.5 tons of RCA and a half-day solo with a rented compactor. At 6 inches, 2 lifts and about 3.7 tons is close to a full day. A 40×20 base at 6 inches climbs to about 15 tons and a 2-day project. There renting a skid-steer at $300–$450/day to move material starts paying off.

When DIY makes sense for RCA

DIY wins on a non-structural base — a garden path, a shed pad, a fire-pit surround — where the cost saving is the entire spread-and-compact labor at $0.50–$1.50/sq ft avoided. DIY loses when the RCA base supports a poured concrete slab or footing. Compaction density is a structural spec an inspector may check at 95% Proctor (ASTM D1557). Fall short and you crack the slab above. That base belongs in the concrete contractor's scope. It also loses on soft clay sites needing 8–12 inches plus geotextile, where the volume and fabric handling become a machine job. For anything load-bearing under concrete, hire the base and slab as 1 scope.

Density and gradation of RCA

Crushed concrete has a compacted bulk density of about 2,400–2,600 lb per cubic yard (1.2–1.3 tons/yd³) Slightly lighter than virgin crushed limestone at 2,700 lb/yd³. The calculator uses 2,500 lb/yd³. RCA is sold by gradation: dense-graded 'crusher run' or '21AA'/'CA6' carries everything from 1-inch down to dust and is the standard compactable base. '#57' RCA is a single-size 3/4-inch open-graded product used where drainage matters. The dense grade locks up under a plate compactor in 2–4 passes. The open grade stays loose and drains at 15–30 inches/hour, making it suited for pipe bedding rather than surface base. Recycled concrete aggregate is governed for structural reuse by ASTM C33 (new concrete mix) and AASHTO M147 / state DOT specs for base course.

Base depth specifications by load

Compacted-RCA base depth scales with the load above and the subgrade below. A pedestrian path or patio paver base needs 4 inches compacted over stable soil; a residential car driveway needs 4–6 inches. A driveway carrying occasional heavy trucks or sitting on soft clay needs 8–12 inches plus a woven geotextile separation fabric. The IRC and ICPI paver-industry guidelines treat 4 inches as the minimum compacted base for pedestrian pavers and 6 inches for vehicular. Under-building the base depth on soft soil is the structural failure mode — the surface deflects, cracks. Ruts under each pass until the base is rebuilt at 1.5–2× the original cost.

Environmental and code considerations

RCA reuse is encouraged by EPA construction-and-demolition (C&D) recycling guidance, which diverts roughly 600 million tons of concrete debris from U.S. Landfills annually. Some jurisdictions restrict RCA near wells or wetlands because residual cement raises runoff pH above 9. So check local stormwater rules before using it as the surface of a large area draining to a waterway. RCA used as structural fill or base under a permitted structure may require a Proctor test. Field-density test on the placed base at $150–$400 per test. For unpermitted residential paths, sheds, and driveway repairs, no such gate applies.

Why RCA prices stay below virgin stone

Crushed concrete prices track the BLS PPI PCU212321212321 sand-and-gravel mining index. Consistently sell 20–40% lower because the feedstock is free demolition debris that recyclers are sometimes paid to accept via tipping fees of $5–$20/ton. The $5–$20/ton tipping fee covers crushing, screening, and magnet-separating the steel rebar. Not extracting and hauling virgin rock from a pit. So the recycler earns revenue on the way in and a sales price on the way out. RCA is abundant and cheap in dense urban markets with constant teardown activity. Scarce in rural areas where virgin crushed limestone at $26–$48/ton is the only practical base material.

FHWA concrete construction standards

FHWA encourages recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) under FP-14 §703 aggregate specs. RCA must meet AASHTO M 43 gradation and pass AASHTO T 104 sulfate soundness at ≤12% loss. Source history unknown? Alkali-silica reactivity screening per AASHTO T 303 applies. FHWA-HRT-04-024 shows properly processed RCA reaches 90–95% of virgin aggregate capacity. RCA base course cuts material costs 25–40% versus quarried stone (Source: FHWA Construction Program).

Current pricing as of 2026

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) prices from 15+ regional suppliers land at $25–$65/ton nationally. That's up 8–12% since 2024 — driven by demolition landfill tipping fees climbing to $45–$85/ton. Supply tightens in spring. Midwest markets run 20–30% cheaper than coastal, thanks to shorter haul distances from demo sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does crushed concrete cost compared to gravel?

For a 10 × 12 ft slab (4 inches thick. 1.8 cubic yards) Crushed concrete runs $25–$65/ton versus $26–$48/ton for #57 driveway gravel (both BLS PPI PCU212321212321) So RCA is 20–40% cheaper. It is a recycled demolition byproduct. A 10-ton load of RCA at $40/ton is $400 against roughly $550 for the same tonnage of virgin crushed limestone. The savings shrink on small delivered orders where the fixed $90–$160 haul fee dominates, so always compare delivered price, not source price.

How many tons of crushed concrete for a 20x10 driveway base?

About 3.5 tons to finish at 4 inches compacted. The math: 200 sq ft × (4 ÷ 12) = 66.7 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 cu yd. RCA weighs ~2,500 lb (1.25 tons/yd³), so 2.47 × 1.25 ≈ 3.1 tons loose — order 3.5 tons to account for compaction. At a 6-inch base depth, plan on roughly 5 tons; at $40/ton, that is $140–$200 in material before delivery.

Does crushed concrete need to be compacted?

For a 10 × 12 ft slab (4 inches thick, roughly 1.8 cubic yards), Yes. RCA must be compacted in 4-inch lifts to about 95% modified Proctor density (ASTM D1557) Or the base settles and the surface above cracks within 1 year. RCA compacts better than river gravel because its angular fractured faces interlock and residual cement fines re-cement slightly under moisture. Gaining 10–15% more density than rounded aggregate at the same compaction effort. Wet each lift to damp, run a plate compactor ($60–$90/day rental) until it bounces, then add the next lift.

Can I use crushed concrete as a final driveway surface?

For a 10 × 12 ft slab (4 inches thick, roughly 1.8 cubic yards), Yes. But dense-graded RCA at 4–6 inches compacted works best as a base under pavers, asphalt, or concrete rather than as the exposed wearing course. As a finished surface, the cement fines wash out over 1–2 seasons. This leaves larger angular stone rougher on bare feet and tires than rounded pea gravel. Most owners cap it with 2 inches of decorative stone at $35–$55/ton or pave over it for a lasting result.

Is crushed concrete safe — does it contain rebar?

For a 10 × 12 ft slab (4 inches thick, roughly 1.8 cubic yards), Screened, magnet-separated RCA is safe and graded to remove steel. But cheaper unscreened crusher-run RCA can hide rebar slivers or wire-mesh fragments that puncture tires ($80–$250 per replacement) and cut hands. Pay the small premium for screened RCA if the surface sees bare feet, bike tires, or children. Expect to add $3–$8/ton for the screened grade. RCA is also slightly alkaline (pH 8–10) from residual cement, so wear gloves and an N95 mask when spreading the dusty material.

Why does my crushed concrete delivery cost so much more per ton?

The fixed delivery fee of $90–$160 is spread over a forced 10-ton minimum. So on a small 4-ton job at $40/ton, the $160 of material carries a $120 haul charge — pushing effective price past $130/ton delivered. That fee covers the truck, round trip, and $4–$6 per loaded mile beyond the included radius. The fix is simple: order closer to the full 10–14 ton truck capacity to dilute the fee, or pick up yourself if you only need 1–2 tons.

Live Price Data

Live Gravel Crushed Prices

Verified .gov-sourced price index with month-over-month trend, regional spread, and historical peak/low context.

→ Live Gravel Crushed Prices

Related Calculators

Gravel Cost Calculator

Gravel fills a different role than crushed concrete — compare per-unit costs.

→ Gravel Cost Calculator Pea Gravel Cost Calculator

Pricing pea gravel alongside crushed concrete? Same BLS data, different application.

→ Pea Gravel Cost Calculator Asphalt Cost Calculator

Asphalt vs crushed concrete — different layer, different coverage math.

→ Asphalt Cost Calculator

Sources

BLS PPI — Construction Sand and Gravel Mining — verified 2026-06-08, updates monthly
BLS OEWS — Construction Laborers (47-2061) — verified 2026-06-08, updates annual