Gravel driveway cost in Fort Smith, AR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,100 – $8,550
- Per sq ft
- $2.10 – $8.40
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −16%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #298
- 1 = most expensive
A gravel driveway in Fort Smith, AR usually costs $2,100 to $8,550 for 1,000 sq ft. That works out to about $2.10 to $8.40 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,050 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $17.77 an hour in the Fort Smith area, 22% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR, standard level
$4,050 to $6,600
About $4 to $6.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,200 | $3,600 |
| Labor | $1,800 | $2,900 |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 |
| Total | $4,050 | $6,600 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,100 | $2,900 | $4,700 | 55% |
| Labor | $960 | $2,350 | $3,700 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $85 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $2,100 | $5,300 | $8,550 | 100% |
Why Fort Smith prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $17.77 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Fort Smith is 0.74 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 44% of the total.
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 $3,100 nationally becomes $2,900 here (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 85.9: $0 to $170.
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 2 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 0.74.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) 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), 50% 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.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $280 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $100. That is a swing of roughly 1.9% to 5.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $16.31 | $17.77 | $21.83 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $18.15 | $20.11 | $21.12 | $28.78 | 0.70 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.74 | |||||
Fort Smith weather and the gravel 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 digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Fort Smith are February through June and September through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F), and July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 63 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
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, February and November are the driest, at 2.7 and 3.9 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 | Workable |
| 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 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 32 | 3.5 | Cold |
Gravel driveway: what moves the price in Fort Smith
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.
Labor share
HomeGuide puts labor at about 50% of a gravel driveway's total cost, so a longer or harder-to-reach site moves the price more than the stone does.
Grading and edging
Grading runs $1-$3 per sq ft. Edging to keep the stone in is $5-$18 per linear foot.
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 single car (500 sq ft) to long rural (2,000 sq ft).
Basic
$2,100 to $4,700
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,050 to $6,600
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$5,950 to $8,550
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,050 – $2,350 | $2,050 – $3,350 | $3,050 – $4,350 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,100 – $4,700 | $4,050 – $6,600 | $5,950 – $8,550 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,100 – $4,700 | $4,050 – $6,600 | $5,950 – $8,550 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,150 – $9,300 | $8,000 – $13,100 | $11,800 – $16,900 |
Optional extras in Fort Smith
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.84 for Fort Smith, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.74) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add edging (approx. 1 ft per 10 sq ft) | $420 – $1,500 |
Related projects, priced for Fort Smith
Jobs that often go together with gravel driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Fort Smith wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−10%) and concrete driveway lowest (−22%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,650 – $6,200 | −15% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,900 – $7,150 | −22% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $510 – $1,750 | −16% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,350 – $3,000 | −10% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,050 – $4,400 | −16% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −13% |
Is Fort Smith cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 1,000 sq ft range from $5,300 to $6,050 across Fort Smith and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, ARthis page | $2,100 – $8,550 | $5,300 | |
| Fayetteville, AR50 miles | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,650 | +6% |
| Tulsa, OK110 miles | $2,250 – $9,200 | $5,700 | +7% |
| Joplin, MO115 miles | $2,400 – $9,750 | $6,050 | +14% |
| Little Rock, AR125 miles | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | +2% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | +2% |
| Arkansas (statewide) | $2,150 – $8,700 | $5,400 | +2% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +19% |
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 2% below the Arkansas figure.
Elsewhere in Arkansas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | +2% |
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,650 | +6% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | +2% |
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 | $2,150 – $8,800 | $5,500 | +3% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,650 | +6% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $2,700 – $11,000 | $6,850 | +29% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $2,800 – $11,300 | $7,050 | +32% |
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 $6,600 for Fort Smith, AR is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Fort Smith, AR, $9
The report lays out the gravel driveway numbers for Fort Smith, AR line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Fort Smith: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Fort Smith?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,100 to $8,550 in the Fort Smith area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,050 to $6,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Fort Smith?
About $2.10 to $8.40 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 Fort Smith or Fayetteville?
Fayetteville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $5,650, which is 6% more than Fort Smith ($5,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Smith?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $2,350 out of $5,300. Materials are 55% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Fort Smith?
$2,100 to $8,550. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel 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 $0 to $170 for fees in the Fort Smith area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Smith expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Arkansas?
Fort Smith is 2% 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 construction laborers earn in Fort Smith?
The BLS median is $17.77 an hour in the Fort Smith area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $16.31 to $21.83.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Fort Smith?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,100 to $4,700 and premium work $5,950 to $8,550. 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 Fort Smith?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and September through November. February and November 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 Fort Smith?
$420 to $1,500 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel 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 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.