Concrete driveway cost in Fort Smith, AR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $2,900 – $7,150
- Per sq ft
- $4.80 – $11.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −22%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #298
- 1 = most expensive
A concrete driveway in Fort Smith, AR usually costs $2,900 to $7,150 for 600 sq ft. That works out to about $4.80 to $11.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,400 less. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $18.70 an hour in the Fort Smith area, 32% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR, standard level
$4,200 to $5,900
About $6.85 to $9.60 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $1,950 |
| Labor | $2,550 | $3,800 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $130 |
| Total | $4,200 | $5,900 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,300 | $1,750 | $2,250 | 35% |
| Labor | $1,600 | $3,150 | $4,750 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $2,900 | $5,050 | $7,150 | 100% |
Why Fort Smith prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: cement masons and concrete finishers at 50%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 10%, carpenters at 10%. Weighted together, Fort Smith wages are 0.72 times the national level. Labor makes up about 63% of the midpoint estimate (69% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Fort Smith is at 93.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,900 nationally becomes $1,750 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 85.9: $45 to $170.
What nearby projects cost in Fort Smith
Jobs that often go together with concrete driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Fort Smith wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−13%) and concrete patio lowest (−18%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,650 – $6,200 | −15% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,100 – $8,550 | −16% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,050 – $4,400 | −16% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $2,750 – $6,550 | −17% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −13% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,050 – $3,200 | −18% |
What local crews earn in Fort Smith
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Fort Smith the blend is 0.72.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $18.70 an hour, 32% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $17.20 and $24.27 an hour. About 130 work in the metro. That is 13.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $17.77 an hour, which is 22% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.31 and $21.83 an hour. BLS counts 670 of them working in the area, 70.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $20.11 an hour, 30% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $18.15 and $21.12 an hour. About 440 work in the metro. That is 46.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $20.39 an hour, 30% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.84 and $23.62 an hour. About 240 work in the metro. That is 25.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $450 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $120. That is a swing of roughly 2.4% to 8.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Fort Smith has 95,560 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 210th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $17.20 | $18.70 | $24.27 | $27.41 | 0.68 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $16.31 | $17.77 | $21.83 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $18.15 | $20.11 | $21.12 | $28.78 | 0.70 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $17.84 | $20.39 | $23.62 | $29.12 | 0.70 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.72 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Fort Smith
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Fort Smith. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to 3-car (900 sq ft).
Basic
$2,900 to $4,600
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$4,200 to $5,900
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$5,450 to $7,150
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,200 – $1,900 | $1,750 – $2,450 | $2,250 – $2,950 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $2,350 – $3,700 | $3,350 – $4,750 | $4,400 – $5,750 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $2,900 – $4,600 | $4,200 – $5,900 | $5,450 – $7,150 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $4,350 – $6,850 | $6,250 – $8,750 | $8,150 – $10,600 |
Optional extras in Fort Smith
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.83 for Fort Smith, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.72) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $500 – $1,500 |
| Remove the old driveway | $990 – $2,950 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Fort Smith bid
Grading and drainage
Professional grading runs $3-$8 per sq ft or $700-$2,500 for a typical job. A sloped lot or poor soil raises it.
Finish
Decorative driveways run $10-$25 per sq ft installed: colors and borders at $10-$15, stamped patterns at $15-$20, and high-end finishes at $20-$25+ (HomeGuide).
Permits and the apron
A driveway permit is typically $50-$200 and is often required for new work. The apron where the driveway meets the street can need a separate right-of-way permit.
Fort Smith against nearby metros and the rest of Arkansas
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Joplin is the priciest of the group at $6,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, ARthis page | $2,900 – $7,150 | $5,050 | |
| Fayetteville, AR50 miles | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,550 | +10% |
| Tulsa, OK110 miles | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,600 | +11% |
| Joplin, MO115 miles | $3,500 – $8,900 | $6,200 | +23% |
| Little Rock, AR125 miles | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | +7% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $2,950 – $7,300 | $5,150 | +2% |
| Arkansas (statewide) | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | +7% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | +28% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Fort Smith ranks #298 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Fort Smith is 7% below the Arkansas figure.
Elsewhere in Arkansas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | +7% |
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,550 | +10% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $2,950 – $7,250 | $5,100 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fort Smith against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $3,150 – $7,700 | $5,400 | +8% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,400 | +7% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $4,400 – $11,300 | $7,850 | +56% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $4,000 – $10,300 | $7,150 | +42% |
Fort Smith weather and the concrete driveway calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Ft Smith Rgnl Ap (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Fort Smith are March through June and September through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Fort Smith gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (5.6 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and September are the driest, at 3.9 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 78 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51 | 30 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 57 | 33 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 66 | 42 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 50 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 60 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 68 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 94 | 72 | 3.4 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 71 | 3.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 63 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 51 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 53 | 32 | 3.5 | Cold |
Get 3 local quotes
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Concrete driveway in Fort Smith: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in Fort Smith?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,900 to $7,150 in the Fort Smith area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,200 to $5,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in Fort Smith?
About $4.80 to $11.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $15.
+Is concrete driveway cheaper in Fort Smith or Fayetteville?
Fayetteville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,550, which is 10% more than Fort Smith ($5,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Smith?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $3,150 out of $5,050. Materials are 35% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in Fort Smith?
$2,900 to $7,150. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in Fort Smith?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $170 for fees in the Fort Smith area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Smith expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of Arkansas?
Fort Smith is 7% below the Arkansas statewide estimate ($5,400 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Arkansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Fort Smith?
The BLS median is $18.70 an hour in the Fort Smith area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.20 to $24.27.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in Fort Smith?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $2,900 to $4,600 and premium work $5,450 to $7,150. Basic means: plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site. Premium means: 6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete driveway in Fort Smith?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through October. March and September are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add rebar reinforcement" add in Fort Smith?
$500 to $1,500 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway near Fort Smith
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- SimplyWise: Concrete Estimate Template: Free PDF + Excel (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = SimplyWise's sample 600 sq ft, 4-inch driveway line ($1,400-$2,400 in materials) divided by 600 sq ft.