If you’ve ever stood in a landscape supply yard staring at a dozen different gravel piles wondering what on earth the difference is, you’re not alone. Between #57 stone, #89 gravel, crusher run, slate chips, pea gravel, and egg rock, it’s easy to grab the wrong material and end up redoing a driveway or walkway six months later.
At Mountain High Landscape Supply in Marietta, we help homeowners and contractors across Metro Atlanta — from Kennesaw and Roswell to Sandy Springs and Smyrna — pick the right stone the first time. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular gravel types we carry, what they’re actually good for, and how to think about choosing between them.
Not all gravel is created equal. Stone is sized, shaped, and sourced differently depending on its intended use — drainage, decorative appeal, structural base, or walkable surface. Using a decorative stone where you need a compactable base (or vice versa) is one of the most common — and most expensive — landscaping mistakes we see. Georgia’s red clay soil and heavy seasonal rainfall make the right choice even more important, since poor drainage can quickly turn a nice gravel path into a muddy mess or a washed-out driveway.
What it is: #57 stone is a crushed, angular gravel typically ranging from about ¾ inch to 1 inch in size. It’s one of the most versatile and widely used gravels in the construction and landscaping world.
Common uses:
Why people choose it: Because #57 has larger gaps between the stones, water moves through it easily, which makes it a go-to for anywhere drainage is a priority. It’s a workhorse material — not particularly decorative, but essential for projects that need to perform underground or under pressure.
What it is: #89 gravel is a smaller, more finely crushed stone, generally around ⅜ inch to ½ inch. Think of it as a smaller cousin to #57.
Common uses:
Why people choose it: Its smaller size makes it easier to level and compact, which is exactly what you want when you’re setting pavers or laying a smooth foundation for hardscaping. Many Marietta and Atlanta contractors use #89 as the finishing layer over a #57 base.
What it is: Crusher run (sometimes called “crush and run” or “quarry process”) is a mix of crushed stone and stone dust in varying sizes, from about ¾ inch down to fine powder. That mix of particle sizes is exactly what makes it useful.
Common uses:
Why people choose it: When crusher run is compacted, the smaller particles fill the gaps between larger stones, creating a dense, stable surface that resists shifting. It’s one of the most budget-friendly options for a solid driveway or shed foundation, which is why it’s such a popular choice throughout Cobb County and the greater Atlanta area.
What it is: Slate chips are thin, flat, angular pieces of natural slate, usually available in gray, black, or a blend of both. Unlike crushed limestone or granite gravel, slate has a distinctive layered, almost glassy look.
Common uses:
Why people choose it: Slate chips bring a sleek, contemporary look that pairs beautifully with modern home exteriors, black mulch beds, or minimalist landscape design. They also hold their color well over time and don’t break down the way organic mulch does, so they’re a nice low-maintenance option for Atlanta homeowners who want curb appeal without constant upkeep.
What it is: Pea gravel is small, naturally smooth, rounded stone (about the size of a pea, hence the name) that comes in a mix of earth-toned colors — tans, browns, grays, and rust.
Common uses:
Why people choose it: Because the stones are rounded rather than angular, pea gravel is comfortable to walk on barefoot and doesn’t have the sharp edges of crushed stone. It’s a favorite for family-friendly backyard spaces, cottage-style gardens, and anywhere you want a soft, natural look underfoot.
What it is: Egg rock is a larger, smooth river stone — generally ranging from 1 to 3 inches — that gets its name from its oval, egg-like shape. It’s naturally tumbled, so there are no sharp edges.
Common uses:
Why people choose it: Egg rock has a natural, river-worn appearance that works especially well in Georgia landscapes designed to mimic native creek beds — a popular way to manage runoff on sloped properties throughout the Atlanta metro. It’s as functional as it is attractive, helping direct water flow while adding visual texture to a landscape bed.
| Project | Best Gravel Choice |
|---|---|
| Driveway base | Crusher run or #57 stone |
| Paver/patio bedding | #89 gravel |
| French drain / drainage trench | #57 stone |
| Garden path or walkway | Pea gravel |
| Modern landscape bed | Slate chips |
| Dry creek bed or pond border | Egg rock |
| Playground surfacing | Pea gravel |
Think about function first, looks second. It’s tempting to pick gravel based on color alone, but ask yourself what the material actually needs to do — drain water, compact into a stable base, or simply look good — before deciding.
Consider your slope and drainage. Metro Atlanta’s clay-heavy soil doesn’t drain quickly, so projects on a slope or in a low-lying yard often benefit from a well-draining base like #57 stone underneath a decorative top layer.
Don’t skip the base layer. Many decorative gravels, like slate chips or pea gravel, look best — and stay put longer — when installed over a compacted base or landscape fabric, especially in high-traffic areas.
Ask about delivery. Larger projects usually call for bulk delivery rather than bagged material. Bulk gravel is more cost-effective per ton and saves a lot of trips back and forth.
Whether you’re building a driveway in East Cobb, installing a paver patio in Marietta, or adding a dry creek bed to your backyard in Roswell, having the right gravel makes all the difference in how a project performs and how long it lasts. Mountain High Landscape Supply stocks #57 stone, #89 gravel, crusher run, slate chips, pea gravel, egg rock, and more — with bulk delivery available throughout Metro Atlanta.
Stop by our Marietta yard or give us a call to talk through your project. We’re happy to help you figure out exactly what you need, how much to order, and how to get it delivered.
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