Gravel driveway cost in Dothan, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,100 – $8,650
- Per sq ft
- $2.10 – $8.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −15%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #295
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a gravel driveway in Dothan, plan on $2,100 to $8,650 for 1,000 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $2.10 to $8.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 15% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $15.39 an hour in the Dothan area, 32% below the US median of $22.66.
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Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Dothan, AL, standard level
$4,050 to $6,700
About $4 to $6.55 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,700 |
| Labor | $1,750 | $2,850 |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 |
| Total | $4,050 | $6,700 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Dothan, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $3,000 | $4,800 | 56% |
| Labor | $950 | $2,300 | $3,650 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $85 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $2,100 | $5,400 | $8,650 | 100% |
Why Dothan prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 50%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 50%. Weighted together, Dothan wages are 0.73 times the national level. Labor makes up about 43% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dothan metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,000 sq ft comes to $3,000, compared with $3,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (83.8) and land at $0 to $170.
Planning more than one job in Dothan?
Because every project leans on different trades, Dothan's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −11% and concrete driveway −19%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,700 – $6,450 | −12% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,350 | −19% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $510 – $1,800 | −14% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,350 – $2,900 | −11% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,100 – $4,500 | −14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,500 – $4,500 | −17% |
Cost by quality level and size in Dothan
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dothan wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$2,100 to $4,750
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,050 to $6,700
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$6,050 to $8,650
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,050 – $2,400 | $2,050 – $3,400 | $3,050 – $4,400 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,100 – $4,750 | $4,050 – $6,700 | $6,050 – $8,650 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,100 – $4,750 | $4,050 – $6,700 | $6,050 – $8,650 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,200 – $9,400 | $8,100 – $13,300 | $12,000 – $17,100 |
Add-ons priced for Dothan
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Dothan by the average of the local wage index (0.73) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.85. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add edging (approx. 1 ft per 10 sq ft) | $420 – $1,550 |
Dothan labor market for gravel driveway
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Dothan is 0.73 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $15.39 an hour, 32% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $12.40 and $18.76 an hour. About 600 work in the metro. That is 98.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.66 an hour, which is 21% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $18.22 and $26.45 an hour. BLS counts 200 of them working in the area, 32.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($18.76 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $230. At the 25th percentile ($12.40) it shrinks by about $210. The total moves by 4.4% or 3.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 60,720 jobs in the Dothan area. That makes it the 284th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $12.40 | $15.39 | $18.76 | $22.66 | 0.68 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $18.22 | $22.66 | $26.45 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.73 | |||||
Climate in Dothan: timing your gravel driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Dothan Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Dothan (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Dothan gets about 54 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (6.2 inches in August). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 89 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 62 | 40 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 66 | 43 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 49 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 55 | 4.8 | Workable |
| May | 87 | 64 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 71 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 93 | 73 | 6.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 72 | 6.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 88 | 67 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 81 | 57 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 71 | 47 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
Dothan against nearby metros and the rest of Alabama
Same job, same size (1,000 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Crestview is the priciest of the group at $5,850.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan, ALthis page | $2,100 – $8,650 | $5,400 | |
| Panama City, FL70 miles | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +8% |
| Crestview, FL70 miles | $2,300 – $9,450 | $5,850 | +9% |
| Albany, GA85 miles | $2,150 – $8,800 | $5,450 | +2% |
| Auburn, AL85 miles | $2,150 – $8,850 | $5,500 | +3% |
| Columbus, GA90 miles | $2,150 – $8,850 | $5,500 | +2% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $2,200 – $8,950 | $5,550 | +3% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +18% |
Across 300 US metros, Dothan comes in at #295 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $9,500; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $5,200 (midpoints, 1,000 sq ft). Statewide, Dothan is 3% below the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $2,300 – $9,300 | $5,800 | +8% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,650 | +5% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $2,200 – $8,950 | $5,550 | +3% |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $2,150 – $8,800 | $5,500 | +2% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $2,200 – $8,900 | $5,550 | +3% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,600 | +4% |
Cities with a workforce like Dothan's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dothan against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | 61,240 jobs | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,650 | +5% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60,630 jobs | $2,600 – $10,600 | $6,600 | +22% |
| Santa Fe, NM | 61,770 jobs | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | +9% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | +1% |
Gravel driveway: what moves the price in Dothan
Stone is sold by weight
Stone is priced by the ton, so every extra inch of depth or foot of width adds loads of delivery.
Permit
A driveway permit is typically $50-$200 where one is needed for a new curb cut or connection; plenty of rural counties require none.
Depth and layers
A proper driveway is a 4-inch base plus a 2-inch top course. Each extra inch of stone adds weight in tons and money.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $4,050 to $6,700 for Dothan, AL is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Dothan, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Dothan, AL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Gravel driveway in Dothan: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Dothan?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,100 to $8,650 in the Dothan area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,050 to $6,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Dothan?
About $2.10 to $8.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Dothan or Panama City?
Panama City is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $5,800, which is 8% more than Dothan ($5,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dothan?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $2,300 out of $5,400. Materials are 56% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Dothan?
$2,100 to $8,650. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Dothan?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $170 for fees in the Dothan area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dothan expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Alabama?
Dothan is 3% below the Alabama statewide estimate ($5,550 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Dothan?
The BLS median is $15.39 an hour in the Dothan area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $12.40 to $18.76.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Dothan?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,100 to $4,750 and premium work $6,050 to $8,650. Basic means: crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground. Premium means: deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage.
+When is the best time to install a gravel driveway in Dothan?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. May and October 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 edging" add in Dothan?
$420 to $1,550 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Dothan
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 Gravel Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- CalculateGravel: Gravel Driveway Cost in 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: Installed range spans a basic spread-and-compact job ($2.50/sq ft low, CalculateGravel) to a full build with excavation ($10/sq ft high, HomeGuide). Materials low end is DIY stone ($1.20/sq ft, CalculateGravel); high end is half of HomeGuide's $10 because it says labor is about 50% of the project.