Pea Stone vs. Gravel Driveway

Pea Stone Properties

• Pea stone, also known as pea gravel, consists of small, rounded stones of half an inch in size or smaller, washed smooth by river water into a round or egg shape. Commonly used as a mix in concrete, pea gravel is also found in filtration and drainage systems. The variety of colors available makes it a popular choice for landscaping, and its smoothness provides a safe surface for children’s play areas and dog runs.

Gravel Properties

• A variety of different types of gravel exists, usually made from crushed limestone, dolomite or granite. Other types of gravel are deposits from riverbeds and shorelines. Granite gravel, in particular, is commonly used on surfaces that support high traffic or heavy vehicles. Most washed stone gravel is gray in color and ranges in size from one-quarter of an inch to three-quarters of an inch.

Driveway Use

• A pea stone driveway is smoother and more textured than a crushed stone driveway. Set in soil or clay, it provides a surface with more resilience than a concrete driveway. The colors make it possible to create patterns in the gravel, or to use a shade that blends in with the exterior color of the home or other features in the landscape. Crushed stone gravel, however, is more economical and can be compacted to provide a more solid surface, without the use of concrete. The hard-wearing properties of granite gravel give it a longer life span than other types of gravel.

Differences

• The main differences between pea stone and other types of gravel are the size of the stones and the smoothness of the pea gravel compared to the roughness of crushed rock. In addition, the formation of pea gravel by natural processes over many years means it is not a renewable resource and therefore its use is not particularly environmentally friendly.