Limestone for Construction in Arkansas: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Limestone is the quiet workhorse of the Arkansas construction market. It does not have the visual drama of fieldstone or the retail appeal of decorative stone. It does the structural and site-prep work that most projects depend on. Driveways, roads, building pads, French drains, erosion control, and a long list of commercial and residential applications all run on the right grade of limestone delivered at the right time.

This guide covers the main construction limestone grades available in Arkansas, what each grade is for, how pricing and delivery typically work, and where to source limestone reliably for both commercial and residential projects.

What limestone actually is

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate. In Arkansas, limestone is quarried in several regions, with the northern and western parts of the state being the main sources. The stone is crushed to specific size ranges for construction applications, and it is those size ranges, not the rock type itself, that get the grade numbers buyers use to specify orders.

Unlike fieldstone or flagstone, where color and character are central to the buying decision, construction limestone is a functional product. The grade, the cleanliness, and the delivery logistics matter more than the aesthetic.

The main construction limestone grades

Crushed limestone is sold under a set of grade numbers that specify size ranges and intended applications. The terminology varies slightly by region and supplier, but the most common grades in Arkansas construction are:

#1 limestone is the largest crushed grade, with pieces typically in the two to four inch range. Used for heavy drainage, rip-rap applications, and construction entrances where large stone is needed to support heavy equipment without getting pushed into the ground.

#2 limestone is the workhorse grade for construction sites. Typically one to two and a half inches, with some variation in the exact spec by supplier. #2 is the stone most commonly used for driveway bases, construction pads, parking lot bases, and heavy drainage. This is the grade most Arkansas contractors mean when they order "limestone" without further qualification.

#57 limestone is a finer grade, typically three-quarters to one inch, often used as a base layer for concrete slabs, pavers, and asphalt, and for French drains where a smaller stone works better for water flow through a drainage pipe.

#67 limestone is smaller still, typically three-eighths to three-quarters of an inch. Used for concrete aggregate, asphalt base, and drainage applications where a tighter packing is needed.

#8 or 9 limestone (pea gravel size) is the smallest construction-grade limestone, typically three-eighths of an inch and smaller. Used for decorative ground cover, top-dressing driveways, and some drainage applications.

Crushed limestone fines (base rock, crusher run) are smaller fragments and dust mixed together, which compact tightly and form a solid base under paving or driveways. This is typically sold as a compacted base layer material.

Agricultural lime is finely crushed limestone used as a soil amendment on fields and pastures. Not strictly a construction product but often moved through the same supply chain.

Common applications

Driveway construction and maintenance. Residential and rural driveways typically use a combination of #2 limestone as a base or top layer, crusher run for compacted base, and sometimes a finer grade as a top dressing. The right mix depends on the traffic load, soil conditions, and drainage.

Building pads. Commercial and residential building pads commonly use #2 or crusher run limestone as the base layer over compacted soil, with additional fine grades layered as the final surface before the concrete slab is poured.

Parking lots. Commercial parking lots use crusher run or #2 limestone as the base layer under asphalt. The base layer load-bearing capacity is what determines how the finished surface holds up over time.

French drains and drainage. #57 or #67 limestone surrounds the drainage pipe in a French drain installation. The size allows water to flow through while keeping soil out.

Erosion control and rip-rap. Larger #1 or boulder-sized limestone is placed on slopes, around culverts, and along waterways for erosion control.

Construction entrances. Temporary or permanent site entrances often use #1 or #2 limestone to provide a stable base for construction traffic without rutting.

Concrete aggregate. The smaller grades are used as aggregate in concrete and asphalt mixes.

How construction limestone is priced

Limestone pricing is based on tonnage, grade, distance from the quarry, and delivery logistics.

Tonnage. Limestone is sold by the ton. A standard dump truck carries 15 to 22 tons depending on the truck. A tri-axle truck can deliver up to 25 tons in a single load.

Grade. Different grades have different production costs at the quarry. The finer grades often cost slightly more per ton because of the additional processing.

Distance from quarry. Freight is a significant cost on limestone. Sites closer to the quarry pay less in delivered cost. Sites far from the quarry may need to factor in hundreds of dollars per load in freight alone.

Delivery method. Tailgate delivery (dumped at the delivery point) is standard. Some projects require spreading, blade work, or specific placement that adds to the cost.

Minimum orders. Most suppliers have minimum order sizes tied to truck capacity. Ordering less than a full truck often does not save money proportionally and may not be possible at all.

Commercial versus residential pricing. High-volume commercial accounts typically carry lower per-ton pricing. Residential single-load orders typically pay retail.

A contractor or site developer ordering regularly benefits from a trade account with a supplier. The pricing and the coordination around scheduling multiple deliveries is meaningfully different with an account versus one-off orders.

What to ask when ordering construction limestone

What grade matches my project? A supplier who handles construction limestone routinely can specify the right grade for driveway, pad, drainage, or other applications. Over-specifying grade adds cost. Under-specifying creates failures.

How is it delivered, and in what truck capacity? Site access matters. A large tri-axle truck may not fit into a residential driveway. Smaller trucks carry less but can access more sites.

What is the lead time from order to delivery? Construction schedules depend on the stone showing up on time. A reliable supplier commits to a specific delivery window.

What is the minimum order, and what does the per-ton price look like at different volumes? Volume pricing matters on any project running more than a single load.

Is there a weight ticket for each load? Contractors billing by ton or tracking construction costs need the weight tickets. Any serious supplier provides them.

Can you coordinate multiple deliveries on a schedule? For larger projects requiring several loads over a period, the supplier's ability to schedule and coordinate deliveries is part of the service.

Where to buy construction limestone in Arkansas

The main sources for construction limestone in Arkansas are quarries, regional distributors, and stone yards that stock multiple grades.

Quarries sell directly to high-volume commercial buyers. Access is usually limited to contractor accounts and requires minimum order volumes.

Regional distributors warehouse limestone and handle delivery to sites across a broader region. Often the best source for commercial contractors with trade accounts.

Stone yards with construction limestone on-hand serve both residential and smaller commercial buyers. The convenience of buying from a yard that stocks fieldstone, flagstone, and construction limestone together is significant for projects that use multiple stone types.

Rockhouse Stone in Hot Springs, AR, operates as the third type. The seven-acre yard at 5643 HWY 7 N stocks construction limestone grades alongside Arkansas fieldstone, flagstone, decorative stone, sand, and related materials. For larger orders, Rockhouse coordinates direct quarry sourcing and freight to job sites across Arkansas and surrounding states.

Residential versus commercial orders

For residential buyers needing a single load or two for a driveway, a building pad, or a drainage project, most stone yards in Arkansas can handle the order quickly. Expect to pay retail pricing and arrange a delivery window that works with the yard's scheduling.

For commercial buyers and contractors running multiple loads across one or more projects, a trade account with a supplier is meaningfully different. Pricing, scheduling priority, and delivery coordination all work better with an account relationship. Verified pro accounts at Rockhouse Stone include trade pricing and net terms for qualified buyers.

Starting the order

For #2 limestone, any construction grade, or a mix of grades on a project, the starting point is a conversation with the yard. Tell the supplier what the project is, where it is, and when the stone needs to be on site. A serious supplier will come back with a quote that specifies grade, quantity, per-ton price, freight, delivery timeline, and payment terms.

Rockhouse Stone is available at 501-532-1905 or rockhousestone.com. The yard staff can walk through grade selection, estimate volumes for the project, and coordinate delivery. For contractors running regular volume, the verified pro account setup is a short conversation with the account team.