Crusher run vs #57 stone
Crusher run packs hard because it includes stone dust. #57 stone is clean and drains. Most gravel driveways use crusher run as the base and clean stone on top.
Crusher run is crushed stone mixed with the dust and small pieces made in crushing it. Depending on the region it's sold as crush and run, ABC, road base, 21A, DGA or 3/4 minus. The fines fill the gaps between stones, so it compacts into a hard, stable surface. It's the usual base layer for driveways, patios and sheds.
#57 stone is clean crushed stone, about 3/4 to 1 inch, with the fines washed or screened out. Water drains through it, so it's used for drainage, under pavers, and as a top layer on driveways. On its own it doesn't lock together as tightly and can shift under tires.
| Crusher run | #57 stone | |
|---|---|---|
| Packs down | Yes, hard | Loosely |
| Drains | Slowly | Freely |
| Common use | Driveway and patio base | Drainage, driveway top layer, under pavers |
A common gravel driveway: 4 to 6 inches of compacted crusher run, topped with 1 to 2 inches of clean stone. Grade it so water runs off; standing water is what ruins gravel driveways. Yards on this site that post a price for gravel and crushed stone have a middle price of $30 per ton.
Crushed concrete is a recycled alternative to crusher run that often costs less and packs similarly. The names differ by state, so ask the yard what its driveway base is.