Railroad Ballast Rock (4–6 in) Delivered in Florida
Big, angular stone for construction entrances, heavy slope and bank armor, and stormwater basins that need fast drainage. 4–6 in crushed rock that stays put under trucks and running water.
Delivered in bulk by dump truck, delivery included. Smaller loads cost more per ton.
Get your ballast rock quote
ZIP, layer thickness and area, then you see your delivered price.
- 1Where
- 2How much
- 3Your quote
What is railroad ballast rock?
Ballast rock, often searched as railroad ballast, is angular crushed stone named after the rock bed that holds railroad ties in place. Ours is 4–6 in. Off the rail line, contractors use this size for construction entrances, heavy slope and ditch armor, and stormwater basins, because it carries truck loads, drains fast and doesn't roll.
Is this the same as track ballast?
Not always. Mainline railroads specify their own gradations, which are usually smaller than 4–6 in. If you're building or repairing track, check the railroad's spec before ordering.
What is ballast rock used for?
Stabilized construction entrances that knock mud off truck tires, armor on slopes and ditch banks where gabion stone is too small, fill around stormwater chambers and detention basins, and large-scale landscape rock.
Why size and shape matter
Each step up in stone size resists faster water and heavier loads. Angular faces lock together and spread the load; rounded rock of the same size rolls and ruts. Pick the smallest stone that stays put, because bigger stone is harder to place.
How thick should ballast rock be?
Thicker layers carry heavier trucks and stronger water. Coverage is per ton at our listed density of 1.30 t/yd³, before compaction.
| Use | Layer thickness | Coverage per ton | Tons per 100 sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light-duty entrance pad, low-flow ditch | 6 in | ~42 sq ft | ~2.4 t | Over geotextile fabric |
| Construction entrance, slope or bank armor | 12 in | ~21 sq ft | ~4.8 t | Most common |
| Heavy armor, soft ground, outfalls | 18 in | ~14 sq ft | ~7.2 t | Machine-placed |
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Who uses railroad ballast rock
- Residential driveways (use road base or #57 stone)
- Walking surfaces
- Small drainage systems (use #57 or #4)
- Paver bases or fine work (use stone dust or paver base)
How much ballast rock do I need, and what does it cost delivered?
Tons include 20% extra for spread and seating. "From" prices are per ton on a full 21-ton truck; smaller loads cost more per ton because delivery is included in the price. Get your exact quote for any row by ZIP.
| Area | At 12 in | At 18 in | Trucks (12 in / 18 in) | Your quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ditch 40×4 ft (160 sq ft) | 10 t | 14 t | 1 / 1 | |
| Slope 30×10 ft (300 sq ft) | 18 t | 26 t | 1 / 2 | |
| Site entrance 12×40 ft (480 sq ft) | 28 t | 42 t | 2 / 2 | |
| Site entrance 20×50 ft (1,000 sq ft) | 58 t | 87 t | 3 / 5 |
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Delivered ballast rock prices by city · from, per ton on a full 21-ton truck · live from our price list · Nov 2026
Ballast rock compared: ballast rock vs rip rap vs gabion stone vs #4 stone
All four are angular crushed stone for erosion, drainage and heavy-traffic work. Here is how ballast rock sits between them.
| Ballast rock | Rip rap | Gabion stone | #4 crushed stone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivered price, Tampa | $147.57/ton | $147.57/ton | $147.57/ton | $100.48/ton |
| Stone size | 4–6 in | 6–12 in | – | 1½–2½ in |
| Best for | Construction entrances, heavy slope armor, stormwater | Shorelines, channels, outfalls, steep slopes | Filling gabion baskets and wall cages | French drains, light erosion control, culvert ends |
| Typical layer | 12–18 in | 18–24 in | Fills the basket | 6–12 in |
| Place by hand? | Hard; mostly machine | No, machine-placed | Yes, hand-packed in baskets | Yes, shovel and rake |
| Learn more | You're here | Rip rap → | Gabion stone → | #4 crushed stone → |
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Prices are full-truck (21 t) delivered prices for ZIP 33602 (Tampa), Nov 2026, read from our price list.
What to expect when your ballast rock is delivered
Where will the truck dump it?
Dumped from the street or driveway.
Do I need to be home?
Best if someone is there to show the driver the spot. Not required: ask for a photo of the drop.
Will it be spread?
No. Ballast rock arrives in one pile where the truck can dump it. Placing it on a slope, shoreline or channel takes a crew with an excavator or skid steer, so plan that before the delivery day.
Can the truck reach my backyard?
A backyard works if the entrance is wide enough. Off the public road, you take responsibility for any damage.
How much fits on one truck?
About 21 tons. Larger orders arrive in several loads.
Refund & cancellation policy
Technical specifications of railroad ballast rock
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | 4–6 in (100–150 mm) |
| Shape | Angular |
| Color | Off-white to light gray (limestone) |
| Fines | < 2% |
| Drainage | Excellent (very high voids) |
| Coverage (12 in layer) | ~21 sq ft per ton |
What customers say about Ballast Rock
“Half-acre project. The driver placed the load exactly where the crew could reach it. Saved us hours of shoveling.”
Verified purchase“Got a text when the truck left and another when it was 15 minutes out. That alone is worth switching from my old supplier.”
Verified purchase“Same-day delivery during a hurricane prep weekend — I didn't believe it would happen and it did. Driver was professional, dropped exactly where I asked.”
Verified purchase“Third order in two months. Property manager here — multi-site scheduling actually works the way they describe. No more chasing yards.”
Verified purchaseBallast rock FAQ
Where we deliver ballast rock
Bulk ballast rock delivery by dump truck across Florida. Pick a city for local delivery details.
- Ballast rock delivery in Tampa, FL
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