Gravel driveway cost in Modesto, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $3,100 – $12,500
- Per sq ft
- $3.10 – $12.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +22%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #14
- 1 = most expensive
Modesto homeowners pay roughly $3,100 to $12,500 to install a gravel driveway at 1,000 sq ft, or $3.10 to $12.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Modesto is 22% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $29.15 an hour in the Modesto area, 29% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Modesto, CA, standard level
$5,900 to $9,650
About $5.85 to $9.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,450 | $4,050 |
| Labor | $3,350 | $5,450 |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $150 |
| Total | $5,900 | $9,650 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Modesto, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,250 | $3,250 | $5,250 | 42% |
| Labor | $1,800 | $4,400 | $7,000 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $100 | $210 | 1% |
| Total | $3,100 | $7,750 | $12,500 | 100% |
Why Modesto 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 $29.15 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Modesto is 1.40 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 57% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Modesto metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,000 sq ft comes to $3,250, compared with $3,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (104.1) and land at $0 to $210.
Gravel driveway: what moves the price in Modesto
Grading and edging
Grading runs $1-$3 per sq ft. Edging to keep the stone in is $5-$18 per linear foot.
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.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Modesto is 1.40 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $29.15 an hour, 29% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.89 and $38.02 an hour. About 1,070 work in the metro. That is 54.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 50%) the local median is $43.54 an hour, which is 51% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $32.57 and $62.15 an hour. BLS counts 430 of them working in the area, 22.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($38.02 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $620. At the 25th percentile ($22.89) it shrinks by about $440. The total moves by 7.9% or 5.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 195,230 jobs in the Modesto area. That makes it the 117th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.13% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $22.89 | $29.15 | $38.02 | $22.66 | 1.29 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $32.57 | $43.54 | $62.15 | $28.78 | 1.51 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.40 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Modesto
Because every project leans on different trades, Modesto's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +24% and sod installation +12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,100 | +22% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,450 – $11,500 | +24% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $740 – $2,600 | +24% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,700 – $3,700 | +12% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,900 – $6,000 | +17% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,250 | +15% |
Extras that change the Modesto total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Modesto by the average of the local wage index (1.40) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.23. 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) | $610 – $2,200 |
Is Modesto cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (1,000 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Jose is the priciest of the group at $8,950. Merced is the cheapest at $7,150.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CAthis page | $3,100 – $12,500 | $7,750 | |
| Stockton, CA30 miles | $2,900 – $11,700 | $7,300 | −6% |
| Merced, CA30 miles | $2,800 – $11,500 | $7,150 | −8% |
| San Jose, CA50 miles | $3,550 – $14,300 | $8,950 | +15% |
| Santa Cruz, CA65 miles | $2,900 – $11,700 | $7,300 | −6% |
| Vallejo, CA70 miles | $3,150 – $12,800 | $7,950 | +2% |
| California (statewide) | $3,050 – $12,400 | $7,700 | −1% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | −18% |
Across 300 US metros, Modesto comes in at #14 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, Modesto is 1% above the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $3,100 – $12,600 | $7,850 | +1% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $3,650 – $14,700 | $9,200 | +18% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $2,900 – $11,700 | $7,300 | −6% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,000 – $12,100 | $7,550 | −3% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,550 – $14,300 | $8,950 | +15% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,100 – $12,500 | $7,800 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Modesto's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Modesto against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,600 | −28% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $2,250 – $9,150 | $5,700 | −27% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $2,500 – $10,100 | $6,300 | −19% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | −16% |
Modesto: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Modesto 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
$3,100 to $6,850
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$5,900 to $9,650
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$8,700 to $12,500
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,550 – $3,450 | $3,000 – $4,900 | $4,400 – $6,350 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $3,100 – $6,850 | $5,900 – $9,650 | $8,700 – $12,500 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $3,100 – $6,850 | $5,900 – $9,650 | $8,700 – $12,500 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $6,150 – $13,600 | $11,700 – $19,200 | $17,300 – $24,700 |
When to schedule gravel driveway in Modesto
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Modesto City Co 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 Modesto (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Modesto gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.6 inches in January). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 0.1 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 90 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 | 56 | 39 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 48 | 1.0 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 54 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 63 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 59 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 43 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 39 | 2.2 | Workable |
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 $5,900 to $9,650 for Modesto, CA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Modesto, CA: 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 Modesto: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Modesto?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $3,100 to $12,500 in the Modesto area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,900 to $9,650. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Modesto?
About $3.10 to $12.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $210 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Modesto or Stockton?
Stockton is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $7,300, which is 6% less than Modesto ($7,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Modesto?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $4,400 out of $7,750. Materials are 42% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Modesto?
$3,100 to $12,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Modesto?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $210 for fees in the Modesto area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Modesto expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of California?
Modesto is 1% above the California statewide estimate ($7,700 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Modesto?
The BLS median is $29.15 an hour in the Modesto area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.89 to $38.02.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Modesto?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $3,100 to $6,850 and premium work $8,700 to $12,500. 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 Modesto?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. September 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 Modesto?
$610 to $2,200 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Modesto
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.