While there are many gravel varieties to choose from, pea gravel is a popular and versatile landscaping material made up of small, yes — pea-sized — rounded stones in a variety of colors, from neutral browns and whites to more vibrant reds and blues. Pea gravel, commonly used on driveways, pathways, playgrounds, and around flower beds and gardens, is a cost-effective choice for many outdoor projects. On average, it costs about $1 to $3.15 per square foot and $15 to $75 per cubic yard, so shopping around can yield significant savings.

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One of the most common places to buy pea gravel is at home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot. As of this writing, a 48-pound bag of multicolored pea gravel costs $4.98 at Lowe’s. Over at Home Depot, a similar bag costs $5.68; however, the price per bag drops lower when you buy 64 bags or more. That sounds like a lot of pea gravel, but it may not go as far as you’d expect. Consider how much gravel your project requires. For example, a path that is 3 feet wide, 10 feet long, and 3 inches deep requires 17 bags, according to Home Depot’s calculator.

If you prefer the convenience of delivery and only need a small amount, 2-pound and 5-pound bags of pea gravel are available on Amazon.

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If you want to avoid big box stores and online retailers, there are plenty of local options. You can check out nearby landscape supply stores, which sell a variety of stones. Another option, especially for those who need a large amount to make a driveway, is to contact a wholesaler, like Hello Gravel, which sells pea gravel by the ton starting at $1,024 for three tons, which is the equivalent of 6,000 pounds. While this works out to roughly the same price as at home improvement stores, it includes free dump truck delivery. For large orders, you can also look into nearby quarries or stone yards.

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For the best deals, you may want to order pea gravel in the gardening off-season from late summer to early winter, when it is more likely to be on sale. Before you embark on your project, it’s important to consider that there will be necessary maintenance. Unfortunately, you can’t just throw pea gravel down and call it a day. The loose stone will spread around, shift over time, or even wash away unless properly contained with edging or a base layer.