Sand, Gravel, and Crushed Stone Resources

Minnesotan's rely on sand and gravel to build our communities, get there, and have fun.

We rely on sand and gravel to:

  • Get There
    • Highways, bridges, rural roads, airport runways
  • Build Our Communities
    • Schools, hospitals, homes, businesses
  • Have Fun
    • Trails, boat landings, playgrounds, beaches

Getting there

4-lane highway in Minnesota

138,768 Miles of Roads

According to the Federal Highway Administration there are 138,768 miles of public roads in Minnesota. A single mile of 4 lane highway uses nearly 340,000 cubic yards of aggregate for new construction. That's over 18,000 standard dump truck loads.
Minnesota Aggregate Facts from NSSGA

gravel road in rural minnesota

70,000 Miles of Gravel Roads

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation there are approximately 70,000 miles of public gravel roads in Minnesota. That is about 50% of all public roads in the state.

construction of concrete bridge in Minnesota

20,000 Bridges

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation there are over 20,000 bridges in Minnesota.

Building our communities

Concrete foundation for house shown

Concrete Foundations

The United States Geological Survey reports that 45% of the total construction aggregates used by the industry are to make concrete. Concrete is used in the building foundations for our homes, schools, hospitals, and offices.

Concrete foundation for house shown

Other Concrete Uses

Aggregates are the key ingredients in the concrete used for Minnesota's roadways, airports, bridges, wind turbine foundations, sidewalks, and parking structures.

Having fun

Bike trails shown that uses aggregates

600 Miles of Trails

Construction aggregates are used to develop and maintain more than 600 miles of paved trails and 560 miles of "rail-trails" in Minnesota. Aggregates are also used to build the gravel roads to our cabins, the boat landings on our shores, and the playgrounds for our children.

"The American way of life as we know it would not be possible without the stone, sand and gravel produced by the aggregates industry. From roads and bridges to paint, pharmaceuticals and cleaning products, aggregates play a vital role in our daily lives"
Source: National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association

If you would like to learn more about DNR construction aggregate leasing opportunities, please contact:

Aggregate Leasing Program
Nic Borchardt

Lands and Minerals Division
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4045
Tel: 651-259-5958

Disclaimer: The DNR does not operate a retail business to sell stone products or construction aggregates. However, if you have a question regarding a request to purchase commercial quantities of materials from our lessees, we will provide contact information to you for our lessees. Please send an email inquiry for more information.

Back to top