Gravel driveway cost in Colorado Springs, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,450 – $10,000
- Per sq ft
- $2.45 – $9.85
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #146
- 1 = most expensive
A gravel driveway in Colorado Springs, CO usually costs $2,450 to $10,000 for 1,000 sq ft. That works out to about $2.45 to $9.85 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 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.1).
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Colorado Springs, CO, standard level
$4,750 to $7,750
About $4.65 to $7.60 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,700 |
| Labor | $2,450 | $3,900 |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $140 |
| Total | $4,750 | $7,750 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Colorado Springs, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $3,000 | $4,800 | 48% |
| Labor | $1,300 | $3,150 | $5,050 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $100 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $2,450 | $6,250 | $10,000 | 100% |
Where the Colorado Springs price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $22.28 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Colorado Springs is 1.01 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 51% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Colorado Springs is at 96.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,100 nationally becomes $3,000 here (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 100.7: $0 to $200.
Gravel driveway: what moves the price in Colorado Springs
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.
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.
Optional extras in Colorado Springs
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for Colorado Springs, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.01) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add edging (approx. 1 ft per 10 sq ft) | $490 – $1,750 |
Colorado Springs 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, Colorado Springs Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). 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 Colorado Springs are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, November 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 160 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Colorado Springs gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 33 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (3.1 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 1.4 and 0.8 inches. The station averages about 23 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 | 45 | 19 | 0.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 20 | 0.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 55 | 27 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 61 | 34 | 1.4 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 44 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 53 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 58 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 57 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 49 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 37 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 26 | 0.4 | Cold |
| Dec | 45 | 19 | 0.2 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Colorado Springs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Colorado Springs. 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
$2,450 to $5,500
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,750 to $7,750
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$7,000 to $10,000
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,250 – $2,800 | $2,400 – $3,950 | $3,550 – $5,100 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,450 – $5,500 | $4,750 – $7,750 | $7,000 – $10,000 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,450 – $5,500 | $4,750 – $7,750 | $7,000 – $10,000 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,900 – $10,900 | $9,400 – $15,400 | $13,900 – $19,900 |
Planning more than one job in Colorado Springs?
Jobs that often go together with gravel driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Colorado Springs wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (+2%) and French drain lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,300 | −2% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,200 | level |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $590 – $2,050 | −2% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,350 | +2% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,150 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,500 | level |
What local crews earn in Colorado Springs
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 Colorado Springs the blend is 1.01.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.28 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.17 and $24.62 an hour. BLS counts 1,790 of them working in the area, 56.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 50% of the weighting: a median of $29.64 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.39 and $34.71 an hour. About 1,030 work in the metro. That is 32.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $160 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $220. That is a swing of roughly 3.5% to 2.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Colorado Springs has 316,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 81st 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% | $19.17 | $22.28 | $24.62 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $25.39 | $29.64 | $34.71 | $28.78 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
How Colorado Springs compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Colorado Springs. Pueblo is the lowest at about $6,200 (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft), 50 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, COthis page | $2,450 – $10,000 | $6,250 | |
| Denver, CO45 miles | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +5% |
| Pueblo, CO50 miles | $2,450 – $9,950 | $6,200 | −1% |
| Boulder, CO95 miles | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +5% |
| Greeley, CO120 miles | $2,450 – $10,000 | $6,200 | −1% |
| Fort Collins, CO135 miles | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +2% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $2,550 – $10,300 | $6,400 | +3% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Colorado Springs ranks #146 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Colorado Springs is 3% below the Colorado figure.
Elsewhere in Colorado
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +5% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +5% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +2% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $2,450 – $10,000 | $6,200 | −1% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $2,400 – $9,800 | $6,100 | −3% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $2,450 – $9,950 | $6,200 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Colorado Springs against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $2,650 – $10,700 | $6,650 | +6% |
| Wichita, KS | 308,570 jobs | $2,250 – $9,150 | $5,700 | −9% |
| Oxnard, CA | 323,890 jobs | $3,000 – $12,100 | $7,550 | +21% |
| Cape Coral, FL | 304,790 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,850 | −7% |
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Gravel driveway in Colorado Springs: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Colorado Springs?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,450 to $10,000 in the Colorado Springs area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,750 to $7,750. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Colorado Springs?
About $2.45 to $9.85 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $200 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Colorado Springs or Denver?
Denver is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $6,550, which is 5% more than Colorado Springs ($6,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Colorado Springs?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $3,150 out of $6,250. Materials are 48% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Colorado Springs?
$2,450 to $10,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Colorado Springs?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $200 for fees in the Colorado Springs area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Colorado Springs expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Colorado?
Colorado Springs is 3% below the Colorado statewide estimate ($6,400 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Colorado Springs?
The BLS median is $22.28 an hour in the Colorado Springs area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.17 to $24.62.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Colorado Springs?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,450 to $5,500 and premium work $7,000 to $10,000. 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 Colorado Springs?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. 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 Colorado Springs?
$490 to $1,750 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Colorado Springs
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.