How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $500 - $3,500
Gravel driveways cost $500 to $3,500, with a national average of $1,800. Expect extra long driveways and 4-car driveways to cost more.
A gravel driveway cost averages to be about $1,800, though most homeowners pay between $500 and $3,500. If you have a simple one-car gravel driveway, you might spend as little as $350, but for a crushed limestone four-car driveway, you can expect to pay closer to $9,000 or more.
There’s something nostalgic about crackling gravel beneath your tires, and the fact that it makes a beautiful, wallet-friendly paving material only sweetens the deal. Your final cost for a gravel driveway depends on the type of gravel, how much you need, the state of the landscape, and labor costs.
- Average
- $1,800
- Low end
- $350
- high end
- $9,000
Gravel Driveway Cost Factors
The cost of a gravel driveway depends on several key factors, including the gravel itself, square footage, depth, land clearing, labor, and permits. While we cover the basics below, it’s always best to speak with a local gravel driveway pro for a personalized quote.
Driveway Rock
Driveway rock prices are typically between $0.40 and $2 per square foot for materials alone. Because of supply and demand in the mineral market, prices can fluctuate. You’ll spend about $0.65 per square foot for the rock base, which is the first layer that gets laid before the actual gravel. This is usually around $38 for a cubic yard or about $46 for a ton. Below, we take a closer look at driveway rock costs to understand better what you’ll pay for this project.
Labor Costs
Labor costs for gravel driveway installation are between $20 and $70 an hour. Most gravel driveways can be installed within two hours, but factors like driveway size and additional prep work can increase that time.
Driveway Square Footage
The total cost for a gravel driveway averages $1.25 to $4.00 per square foot, including the cost of equipment and professional installation. Compared to the cost of concrete driveways, which cost about $4 to $15 per square foot, or asphalt driveways, which cost between $7 and $15 per square foot, it’s no wonder some homeowners prefer this budget-friendly option. Most driveways average between 240 and 1,500 square feet, but your actual size will depend on the length and depth of your driveway.
Driveway Depth
Your driveway’s depth plays a role in determining how much gravel it takes to lay a gravel driveway. The deeper the driveway, the more gravel you’ll need to complete the project.
The ideal gravel driveway depth is between four and 12 inches. Several factors play into the perfect depth of your driveway, with the biggest factors being the type and size of gravel. Speak with a gravel driveway specialist near you to determine the depth of your driveway based on your chosen material.
Permits
Your municipality may also require you to apply for a permit and pay taxes to build your gravel driveway. These costs can range from $500 to $2,000. Your gravel driveway installer can apply for these permits if needed or will instruct you on obtaining them for your project.
Land Clearing
The cost to clear land ranges from $1,400 to $6,200, on average. This separate cost from your typical gravel driveway project may be necessary if you have trees, boulders, or other obstacles in the way of your anticipated driveway or have uneven ground that needs leveling. Grading and leveling will cost between $1 and $2 per square foot.
How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost by Gravel Type?
Driveway gravel costs vary by type, and each has its own unique look and texture. Some work better in certain climates, and some are more comfortable if you go barefoot in your new driveway. Below are the average prices for some of the most popular types of gravel—speak to a local gravel driveway installer to determine the best gravel for your driveway.
| Gravel Type | Average Cost (per Cubic Yard)* | Average Cost (per Ton)* |
|---|---|---|
| Steel slag | $30–$60 | $25–$45 |
| Crusher run | $45–$55 | $20–$40 |
| Crushed limestone | $30–$60 | $25–$40 |
| Pea gravel | $30–$90 | $30–$50 |
| River rock | $45–$80 | $30–$55 |
| Caliche | $30–$100 | $40–$150 |
| Crushed shell | $20–$100 | $20–$90 |
| Crushed granite | $30–$80 | $20–$60 |
| Crushed marble | $30–$90 | $30–$75 |
| Bluestone | $70–$130 | $50–$100 |
*Materials only
Steel Slag
Steel slag costs about $45 per cubic yard or $34 per ton. This steel byproduct tends to expand in humidity, so it’s best suited for drier climates.
Crusher Run
A crush-and-run driveway, also called a crusher run, is one of the most affordable options at about $20 to $40 per ton. This type of driveway is perfect for handling heavy loads (think of several heavy trucks).
Crushed Limestone
One of the more expensive options, crushed limestone might be as much as $60 per cubic yard. These come in a variety of colors and styles all at varying price tags, so your cost depends on your pick.
Pea Gravel
Pea gravel costs between $30 and $90 per cubic yard or an average of $60 per cubic yard. You’ll pay between $30 and $50 per ton, or $40 per ton on average, for pea gravel. These little pea-shaped stones are most popular in landscaping, but they are also an option for gravel driveways.
Choosing a material like pea gravel can be an easy solution if you’re looking for ways to reduce dust on your gravel driveway. However, pea gravel is not always the best choice, as its smooth, round shape makes it easy for the gravel to shift.
River Rock
Rock pebbles, also known as river rocks, cost anywhere from $45 to $80 per cubic yard or $30 to $55 per ton. These are another pricier option, but they often have beautiful color variations. As a bonus, rock pebbles have a smooth surface, making them much more foot-friendly than other contenders.
Caliche
Caliche costs about $65 per cubic yard on average, and a ton costs between $40 and $150. This sedimentary rock is best suited to the southwest and other arid climates.
Crushed Shell
Crushed shells typically run for about $60 per cubic yard. You might also pay around $55 per ton. They’re a great way to bring the beach to your home if you’re missing your last vacation.
Crushed Granite
Crushed or decomposed granite costs around $55 per cubic yard or $40 per ton, on average. The finer the crushed gravel, the lower the cost, but you’ll need more to fill in the driveway if you choose finer particles.
Crushed Marble
Crushed marble costs around $60 per cubic yard or $52 per ton. Its timeless beauty makes marble a popular rock for those looking for a bright driveway material.
Bluestone
Crushed bluestone costs anywhere between $50 and $100 per ton, on average. You’ll pay around $100 per cubic yard to have this natural, blue-gray stone serve as your gravel driveway material.
Gravel Driveway Cost by Size
The size of your driveway can make all of the difference in how much you spend to lay a gravel driveway. On average, driveways can be anywhere between 10- and 48-feet wide by 18- to 48-feet long. Remember, the cost of installing a gravel driveway is $1.25 to $4.00 per square foot.
To help you break down how much you might spend, here are some cost estimates for a 20-foot-long driveway, assuming a width of 12 feet per vehicle:
| Size (Square Feet) | Number of Cars | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 240 | 1 | $300–$960 |
| 480 | 2 | $600–$1,920 |
| 960 | 4 | $1,200–$3,900 |
Every driveway is different, so it’s important to consider how long yours needs to be when determining how much gravel you’ll need. The average car is just under 15 feet long and around 6 feet wide. Give at least 5 feet of extra space to the length and the width to account for opening doors and walking around vehicles.
Here are gravel driveway costs for a 35-foot-long driveway with a 12-foot width per vehicle:
| Size (Square Feet) | Number of Cars | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 420 | 1 | $525–$1,700 |
| 840 | 2 | $1,050–$4,200 |
| 1,680 | 4 | $2,100–$6,800 |
DIY Gravel Driveway vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing a gravel driveway entails more than just pouring the rocks into place, but it’s still a doable DIY for those willing to take it on. For a standard 480-square-foot driveway, anticipate spending $700 to $1,000 on materials like gravel and landscape fabric costs, and an additional $150 on tools if you don’t already have them on hand, including a wheelbarrow, shovel, hoe, steel rake, twine, gloves, and landscaping stakes.
Though you can install a gravel driveway yourself, many things can stop you in your tracks or catch you off guard, including improper drainage, which can send water rolling toward your house after a rainstorm, and miscalculations in material costs. Instead, hire a local gravel driveway installer to ensure the job is done right the first time. After all, you wouldn’t want to spend the time and money to DIY this project only to find out during a bad rainstorm that mistakes were made and that you’ll need a professional anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
The depth of your gravel will vary per project, but a good rule of thumb is to make sure it’s at least 4 to 6 inches deep, with an ideal thickness of around 12 to 18 inches. Installing a gravel driveway involves several layers of gravel, which should each be around 4- to 6-inches thick to give your driveway the longest lifespan possible.
No one likes running out of materials during a project, so calculating the right amount of gravel needed for your driveway is an absolute must. Multiply your driveway’s length by width by the depth of the gravel (in feet). For gravel depth, convert to a decimal (i.e., 4 inches is 0.33 feet). This will give you the cubic feet of material that you need.
If you’re looking for cubic yards, divide that above number by 27.
If you install your driveway correctly, then you can expect your gravel driveway to last anywhere between 50 and 100 years, making it a great long-term investment. Maintaining your gravel driveway will extend its life to the maximum. The best part is that when there's damage to your gravel driveway, or the materials fade or come loose over time, it's easy to repair and keep your gravel driveway looking great for years to come.
Gravel driveways are significantly more affordable than asphalt driveways, making them an enticing financial decision when choosing your next driveway material. On average, gravel driveways are $5.75 to $13 per square foot cheaper than asphalt driveways.
It's not just their price that makes gravel driveways more economical. Gravel driveways also can last up to 100 years with minimum maintenance, whereas asphalt driveways only last for 15 to 30 years with proper maintenance. But if you’re looking for the best driveway material for cold weather, asphalt may be a better choice.
While researching local gravel companies, finding at least three installers to compare notes and labor costs is a good idea. Here are some questions to ask a contractor before you make your choice.
How many years of experience do you have installing gravel driveways?
How much will it cost to have my driveway installed?
What does the payment schedule look like? Avoid companies that try to make you pay more than 10% down, or over $1,000, to start.
What qualifications, certifications, and credentials do you have?
Are you licensed?
Can I see pictures of completed projects?
Before deciding to spend money on a gravel driveway, consider both the pros and cons of this job. Gravel driveways are often the most cost-effective and durable option, only needing occasional spreading. However, due to the open spaces left by the stones, gravel driveways tend to see weed growth, and snow removal techniques like plows can damage them.