Concrete driveway cost in Traverse City, MI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,600 – $9,200
- Per sq ft
- $5.95 – $15
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #139
- 1 = most expensive
A concrete driveway in Traverse City, MI usually costs $3,600 to $9,200 for 600 sq ft. That works out to about $5.95 to $15 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Traverse City, MI, standard level
$5,300 to $7,550
About $8.65 to $12.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 71% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $1,950 |
| Labor | $3,600 | $5,400 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $140 |
| Total | $5,300 | $7,550 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Traverse City, MI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,300 | $1,750 | $2,250 | 28% |
| Labor | $2,300 | $4,500 | $6,750 | 71% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $3,600 | $6,400 | $9,200 | 100% |
Why Traverse City prices look the way they do
Labor is 71% of the midpoint bill here, against 69% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is cement masons and concrete finishers (50%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10%), carpenters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Traverse City the blended ratio comes out at 1.03.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Traverse City is at 93.7 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 93.4: $45 to $190.
Extras that change the Traverse City total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for Traverse City, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.03) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $590 – $1,750 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,200 – $3,550 |
Traverse City against nearby metros and the rest of Michigan
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Appleton is the priciest of the group at $7,300. Muskegon is the cheapest at $6,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City, MIthis page | $3,600 – $9,200 | $6,400 | |
| Green Bay, WI110 miles | $3,850 – $9,950 | $6,900 | +8% |
| Muskegon, MI110 miles | $3,500 – $8,900 | $6,200 | −3% |
| Sheboygan, WI125 miles | $3,900 – $10,100 | $7,000 | +9% |
| Appleton, WI130 miles | $4,050 – $10,500 | $7,300 | +14% |
| Grand Rapids, MI135 miles | $3,650 – $9,250 | $6,450 | level |
| Michigan (statewide) | $3,700 – $9,400 | $6,550 | +2% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Traverse City ranks #139 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Traverse City is 2% below the Michigan figure.
Elsewhere in Michigan
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $3,950 – $10,100 | $7,000 | +9% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $3,650 – $9,250 | $6,450 | level |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 219,730 jobs | $3,700 – $9,450 | $6,550 | +2% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $3,800 – $9,700 | $6,750 | +5% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $3,800 – $9,800 | $6,800 | +6% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $3,550 – $9,000 | $6,250 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Traverse City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PA | 68,840 jobs | $3,800 – $9,650 | $6,750 | +5% |
| Dover, DE | 68,080 jobs | $3,400 – $8,600 | $6,000 | −6% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $3,300 – $8,250 | $5,800 | −10% |
| Burlington, NC | 67,830 jobs | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,600 | −12% |
Traverse City: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Traverse City. 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
$3,600 to $5,850
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$5,300 to $7,550
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$6,950 to $9,200
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,450 – $2,400 | $2,150 – $3,100 | $2,850 – $3,800 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $2,900 – $4,700 | $4,250 – $6,050 | $5,600 – $7,400 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $3,600 – $5,850 | $5,300 – $7,550 | $6,950 – $9,200 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $5,400 – $8,700 | $7,900 – $11,200 | $10,400 – $13,700 |
Traverse City 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, Traverse City Cherry Cptl 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 Traverse City are May through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
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.
Traverse City gets about 29 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are August, September and October (3.6 inches in October). Inside the workable window, June and July are the driest, at 2.6 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 29 | 17 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 16 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 23 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 33 | 2.8 | Cold |
| May | 67 | 43 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 54 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 59 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 59 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 52 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 32 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 35 | 24 | 1.8 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Traverse City
Jobs that often go together with concrete driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Traverse City wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+3%) and asphalt driveway lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,950 – $7,200 | −3% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $10,000 | −2% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,050 | −3% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,800 | −2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,650 | +3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,950 | −2% |
Concrete driveway: what moves the price in Traverse City
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.
Thickness
HomeGuide prices a standard 4-inch driveway at $6-$15/sq ft and a 6-inch one, recommended for heavy vehicles, at $8-$20/sq ft.
Old driveway removal
Tearing out the old surface adds about $2-$6 per sq ft, and some cities want the haul-off documented.
What local crews earn in Traverse City
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 Traverse City the blend is 1.03.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $28.34 an hour, 3% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.50 and $29.20 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 23.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $23.27 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.03 and $28.66 an hour. BLS counts 740 of them working in the area, 108.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.42 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.74 and $35.49 an hour. About 280 work in the metro. That is 40.9 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 $28.47 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.71 and $30.60 an hour. About 420 work in the metro. That is 61.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of 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 $70 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $470. That is a swing of roughly 7.3% to 1.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Traverse City has 68,440 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 264th 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% | $22.50 | $28.34 | $29.20 | $27.41 | 1.03 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $21.03 | $23.27 | $28.66 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $28.74 | $29.42 | $35.49 | $28.78 | 1.02 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $22.71 | $28.47 | $30.60 | $29.12 | 0.98 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Get 3 local quotes
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Concrete driveway in Traverse City: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in Traverse City?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,600 to $9,200 in the Traverse City area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,300 to $7,550. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in Traverse City?
About $5.95 to $15 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $15.
+Is concrete driveway cheaper in Traverse City or Green Bay?
Green Bay is 110 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $6,900, which is 8% more than Traverse City ($6,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Traverse City?
About 71% at the midpoint, or $4,500 out of $6,400. Materials are 28% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in Traverse City?
$3,600 to $9,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in Traverse City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $190 for fees in the Traverse City area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Traverse City expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of Michigan?
Traverse City is 2% below the Michigan statewide estimate ($6,550 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Michigan; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Traverse City?
The BLS median is $28.34 an hour in the Traverse City area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.50 to $29.20.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in Traverse City?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,600 to $5,850 and premium work $6,950 to $9,200. 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 Traverse City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through October. June and July 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 Traverse City?
$590 to $1,750 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway near Traverse City
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.