Railroad Ballast in Montana
Railroad Ballast gives Montana rail beds, ranch routes, and shop pads an open stone base when rain and hard frost test the ground.
- Size: Roughly 1 inch to 2.5 inches
- Grading: Graded to interlock under load while draining freely
- Type: Large angular crushed stone
From $424.00 for 1 ton, delivery included
Larger loads cost less per ton: 500 tons is $26,035.00 ($52.07 per ton). Pick any quantity below for a delivered price.
Free delivery included
Free delivery anywhere in Montana
Pick a delivery date
Weekday delivery, earliest Sep 25
“Our winter feeding area out past Harlem turns to a churned up mess every year once the cattle start working the same ground in the snow and mud. Twenty five tons of railroad ballast went down across the worst of it, big enough and open enough that it drains almost as fast as it falls. First full winter on it and the cows aren't standing in slop anymore even after a thaw, which used to happen every January without fail. Montana Rock Supply's driver spread the piles out along the fence line so we could push it around easier with the tractor.”
Edwin L. · Verified Buyer
Get a Free Quote
Fill out the form and our sales team will get back to you within the hour.
Everything You Need to Know About Railroad Ballast
Size and Grading
- Size
- Roughly 1 inch to 2.5 inches
- Grading
- Graded to interlock under load while draining freely
- Type
- Large angular crushed stone
Deep frost, sudden rain, and dry spells can all expose weak support beneath a road or working area. East of the Continental Divide, gumbo clay can turn slick when wet and become hard when dry. Valleys farther west may drain more readily, but seasonal freezing still puts pressure on the ground beneath a build.
Railroad Ballast suits rail track, ranch roads, and areas carrying heavy equipment because its angular pieces bear against each other and let moisture move through. For an access road or shop pad, keep it in the load bearing foundation portion of the build, especially where water needs to leave the stone before freeze thaw conditions set in. Select a finer compactable material when the job calls for a tighter finished course.
Quickly Calculate How Much You Need
Material: Railroad Ballast
How to Measure
Measure the length and width of your project area in feet
Decide on depth in inches (2" for landscaping, 4" for driveways)
Enter the values above and we'll calculate the tonnage you need
Need help figuring out the right amount? We can help!
Call or text us at our contact form and we'll help you calculate the right quantity for your project.
Not sure how much you need? The Stone Calculator has depth guides, coverage charts and worked examples for this material.
Common Uses
Rail Track Bed
Supports the ties and lets water drain from the track base.
Equipment Pad Base
Forms a steady base for containers, cranes, and industrial weight.
Worksite Access Roads
Handles repeated travel from loaded trucks and job equipment.
Large-Scale Drainage
Angled rock creates drainage routes that remain open under weight.
Why Choose Railroad Ballast
Weight-Bearing Strength
Made for demanding loads.
Rapid Water Flow
Spaces between the angular rock let water drain away.
Locked-In Placement
The stone grips together to reduce travel-related displacement.
Hard-Wearing Stone
Durable rock is suitable for ongoing use.
Customer Reviews
Feeding pad drains, a few big pieces
Picked up ten tons of railroad ballast for a feeding pad near Rudyard on the Hi-Line. Drains fast and holds up under hoof traffic well. Only issue is a handful of oversized pieces that had to be pulled out before we could run equipment over it safely.
Hazel T. · Rudyard, MT · Verified Buyer
Winter feeding ground finally drains
Our winter feeding area out past Harlem turns to a churned up mess every year once the cattle start working the same ground in the snow and mud. Twenty five tons of railroad ballast went down across the worst of it, big enough and open enough that it drains almost as fast as it falls. First full winter on it and the cows aren't standing in slop anymore even after a thaw, which used to happen every January without fail. Montana Rock Supply's driver spread the piles out along the fence line so we could push it around easier with the tractor.
Edwin L. · Harlem, MT · Verified Buyer
Equipment lot handles a rainy season
Needed eighteen tons for an equipment storage lot on a logging job near St. Regis. Drains hard even with all the rain that side of the state gets, and loaders have run over it all season without rutting. Ordered through Montana Rock Supply and the tri axle handled the tight forest road better than expected.
Gordon R. · St. Regis, MT · Verified Buyer
Farm road crossing stays firm now
Hauled fourteen tons of railroad ballast for a farm road crossing a low wet stretch near Alberton. Drains faster than anything else we tried there, and the tractor doesn't bog down anymore even after a week of rain. Big angular stone locks in and stays put under heavy loads.
Felicia B. · Alberton, MT · Verified Buyer
Railroad Ballast has 4 verified customer reviews with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
