How much does it cost to build a gravel driveway

If you’re wondering how much a gravel driveway costs, you’ll be happy to know that it is the most affordable material used to create a driveway. Most pay around $2,000 for labor and materials for a 100-foot-long driveway that is 10 feet wide.

The price for a gravel driveway usually averages between $1 – $3 per square foot.[1]

How much does it cost to build a gravel driveway

Material Costs

Gravel ranges in price depending on the type of gravel selected and the geographic location. Most often gravel ranges from $30 to $50 per cubic yard.

Distance to the supplier is an important consideration as transportation and delivery costs will vary by distance.

The size of the driveway and the depth of the gravel will determine how much material is needed for the job. Use our gravel driveway calculator to calculate the amount of material needed for the project.

Labor Costs

Labor costs will vary based on the depth of the driveway, amount of preparation needed, and the complexity of the project. Labor typically runs $40 to $55 per hour for a driveway installation but varies by geographic region.

Equipment Costs

Installing a gravel driveway is no small task. The job requires heavy equipment and a machine to move substantial amounts of gravel from one end of the driveway to the other, and a tool that would efficiently grade and level it.

Factors to Consider

The main factors to consider when calculating how much a gravel driveway costs include the size of the proposed driveway, the price and quality of the gravel you choose, the thickness of the gravel layer, delivery cost, and labor costs.[2]

You can also reduce the overall cost by furnishing the hidden layers with cheaper or less aesthetically pleasing gravel while saving the best stuff for the top. However, there is the added chance that increased shifting will occur when you combine two different materials on top of each other in this manner, so it is best to use the same gravel for the entire thing.

The Long-Term Cost

There is another aspect of cost involved with a gravel driveway that you may not initially consider: long-term value. Gravel shifts over time, due to the pockets of space between each tiny pebble. If you’ve never had a gravel driveway before, the regular maintenance required might be a deciding factor.

Due to its shifting, you will occasionally have to ‘top-dress’. This means that the surface gravel will need to be added to or replenished with new gravel. Top-dressing should be done every few years, or when you notice it’s starting to lose its aesthetic appeal or effectiveness.[3]

Other possible problems caused by a gravel driveway include ruts or potholes, or stray pebbles finding their way onto the grassy lawn or in other unwanted places.

Regular maintenance completed by you, the homeowner, will help to sustain the longevity of the gravel, however. To keep such disarray to a minimum, rake the gravel approximately once a month. Doing so will help maintain your gravel driveway, and will save you money in the long run.

Finally, one more long-term factor that should be considered before you choose to create a gravel driveway is nature itself. Because gravel is a permeable driveway surface, weeds can creep up through the pebbles.

Keeping the area treated with weedkiller or pulling up weeds regularly is an added component that can create additional cost and effort, so bear this in mind before you come to a final decision.

Compare the cost of gravel to other driveway materials like asphalt or concrete.

All pricing information on this page is based on average industry costs, and is subject to variance for project-specific materials, labor rates, and requirements.

You will find that the cost to install average gravel driveway depends upon material and finish grade, surface area and material volume, preparation and special needs, and the labor rate.

In the following table the Labor Cost figure is what the able and prepared DIY persons should expect to save by performing the corresponding tasks.

Driveway: 300 feet of single lane driveway with additional 500 sq.ft. of parking apron; include costs for all material, equipment, and waste.

ItemUnit CostQuantityLine CostGravel driveway: transport 3/8" washed gravel 5 miles and spread to 6” depth along 300' of 8' wide lane and 500 sq.ft. of parking; total 2,900 sq.ft.$0.74per sq.ft.2,900$2,135Upgrade: additional cost for 150 feet of built in place concrete square curb 6" tall x 12" base.$4.21per foot150$632Material Cost$0.95per sq.ft.2,900$2,767+ Labor Cost (gravel spreading)$32per hour8$256+ Labor Cost (upgrade)$36per hour16$576Total Cost$1.24per sq.ft.2,900$3,599

Other considerations and costs

  • These prices are for service in the immediate area of the provider.
  • Taxes and permit fees are not included.
  • Additional hand-excavation of typical soil will cost around $50 per cubic yard.
  • Typical additional residential site clearing and preparation tasks range in cost from $0.50 to $1.50 per sq.ft. depending on amount and size of material, and transport.
  • These flatwork examples do not include engineering attention to curves or inclines.

Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.

DIY considerations

  • This project is suitable for DIY with common set of tools and skills.
  • Partial DIY is also possible by taking on the task of light spreading of gravel.

References

  • Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2015.
  • Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
  • Literature review of DIY Web sites.    

How much does it cost to install gravel driveway in your city?
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Cost by city

(2,900 sq.ft. gravel drive)

  • New York, NY$3,841
  • Bronx, NY$3,156
  • Brooklyn, NY$2,630
  • Philadelphia, PA$3,282
  • Washington, DC$2,848
  • Atlanta, GA$2,576
  • Miami, FL$2,343
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL$2,455
  • Minneapolis, MN$2,879
  • Chicago, IL$3,355
  • Houston, TX$3,460
  • San Antonio, TX$2,323
  • Austin, TX$2,630
  • Denver, CO$2,222
  • Phoenix, AZ$2,345
  • Las Vegas, NV$2,573
  • Los Angeles, CA$2,900
  • San Diego, CA$2,631
  • San Jose, CA$3,178
  • Seattle, WA$2,327

Local costs have been calculated by accounting for labor and material cost differences across different cities. To get accurate cost estimates, indicate yours:

Are gravel driveways worth it?

Gravel. Pros: Gravel is a great option for the budget-conscious, especially people with longer driveways, Bean says. Another selling point: “Gravel compacts much better than plain rocks,” creating a more stable surface that sheds water easily, Bean says.

What are the 3 layers of a gravel driveway?

Your gravel drive should consist of 3 parts. The sub-base, weed membrane and gravel. The sub-base of the gravel driveway is really important as needs to be able to support heavy loads. It will also help if you have an uneven surface as will create a flat and solid base.

What is the best base for a gravel driveway?

The bottom layer should be comprised of stone (6” crushed rock) or consider 6” recycled concrete. The ideal thickness of each layer is between 4 to 6 inches. The middle layer should also be angular stones about 2” to 3” in diameter such as our #2 Bluestone.

What are the cons of a gravel driveway?

The Challenges of Gravel Driveways Snow and rain can cause the gravel to move around and even sink, causing ruts and sinkholes. Regular maintenance and top dressing the driveway may be required. Snow and ice removal can also be difficult unless supported by a porous paving system.