Gravel driveway cost in Lake Charles, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,300 – $9,300
- Per sq ft
- $2.30 – $9.15
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #230
- 1 = most expensive
Lake Charles homeowners pay roughly $2,300 to $9,300 to install a gravel driveway at 1,000 sq ft, or $2.30 to $9.15 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Lake Charles is 9% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $21.75 an hour in the Lake Charles area, 4% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Lake Charles, LA, standard level
$4,400 to $7,200
About $4.35 to $7.10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,200 | $3,600 |
| Labor | $2,150 | $3,450 |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 |
| Total | $4,400 | $7,200 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Lake Charles, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,100 | $2,900 | $4,700 | 50% |
| Labor | $1,150 | $2,800 | $4,450 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $85 | $170 | 1% |
| Total | $2,300 | $5,800 | $9,300 | 100% |
Where the Lake Charles price comes from
Labor is 48% of the midpoint bill here, against 50% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (50%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (50%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Lake Charles the blended ratio comes out at 0.89.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Lake Charles metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,000 sq ft comes to $2,900, compared with $3,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (85.9) and land at $0 to $170.
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 Lake Charles is 0.89 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $21.75 an hour, 4% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.37 and $25.18 an hour. About 2,130 work in the metro. That is 209.5 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 $23.69 an hour, which is 18% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.27 and $29.07 an hour. BLS counts 410 of them working in the area, 40.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($25.18 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $240. At the 25th percentile ($17.37) it shrinks by about $300. The total moves by 4.1% or 5.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 101,690 jobs in the Lake Charles area. That makes it the 202nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $17.37 | $21.75 | $25.18 | $22.66 | 0.96 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $21.27 | $23.69 | $29.07 | $28.78 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
Lake Charles: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Lake Charles 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
$2,300 to $5,100
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,400 to $7,200
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$6,500 to $9,300
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,150 – $2,600 | $2,200 – $3,650 | $3,300 – $4,750 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,300 – $5,100 | $4,400 – $7,200 | $6,500 – $9,300 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,300 – $5,100 | $4,400 – $7,200 | $6,500 – $9,300 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,550 – $10,100 | $8,750 – $14,300 | $12,900 – $18,500 |
Optional extras in Lake Charles
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Lake Charles by the average of the local wage index (0.89) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.91. 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) | $460 – $1,650 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Lake Charles bid
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.
When to schedule gravel driveway in Lake Charles
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Lake Charles (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 Lake Charles (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Lake Charles gets about 60 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, June and August (6.5 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and March are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.7 inches. The station averages about 88 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 | 63 | 43 | 5.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 47 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 53 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 59 | 4.4 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 67 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 74 | 6.5 | Hot |
| Jul | 92 | 76 | 5.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 93 | 75 | 6.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 71 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 60 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 72 | 51 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 65 | 45 | 4.6 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Lake Charles
Because every project leans on different trades, Lake Charles's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −7% and concrete driveway −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $6,800 | −8% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,200 | −11% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $550 – $1,950 | −8% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,350 – $3,000 | −9% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,700 | −9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,050 | −7% |
How Lake Charles compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Lake Charles. Alexandria is the lowest at about $5,400 (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LAthis page | $2,300 – $9,300 | $5,800 | |
| Beaumont, TX60 miles | $2,350 – $9,600 | $5,950 | +3% |
| Lafayette, LA65 miles | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | −4% |
| Alexandria, LA95 miles | $2,100 – $8,700 | $5,400 | −7% |
| Baton Rouge, LA125 miles | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | level |
| Houston, TX130 miles | $2,350 – $9,550 | $5,950 | +2% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,650 | −3% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Lake Charles comes in at #230 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, Lake Charles is 3% above the Louisiana figure.
Other Louisiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | +1% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | level |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | −4% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,600 | −3% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | −3% |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $2,100 – $8,700 | $5,400 | −7% |
Cities with a workforce like Lake Charles's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lake Charles against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, IN | 102,200 jobs | $2,750 – $11,000 | $6,900 | +19% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $3,000 – $12,100 | $7,550 | +30% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | level |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 98,500 jobs | $2,900 – $11,700 | $7,300 | +26% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed gravel driveway report for Lake Charles, LA, $9
The report lays out the gravel driveway numbers for Lake Charles, LA 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 Lake Charles: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Lake Charles?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,300 to $9,300 in the Lake Charles area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,400 to $7,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Lake Charles?
About $2.30 to $9.15 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 Lake Charles or Beaumont?
Beaumont is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $5,950, which is 3% more than Lake Charles ($5,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lake Charles?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $2,800 out of $5,800. Materials are 50% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Lake Charles?
$2,300 to $9,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Lake Charles?
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 Lake Charles area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lake Charles expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Lake Charles is 3% above the Louisiana statewide estimate ($5,650 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Lake Charles?
The BLS median is $21.75 an hour in the Lake Charles area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.37 to $25.18.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Lake Charles?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,300 to $5,100 and premium work $6,500 to $9,300. 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 Lake Charles?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and March 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 Lake Charles?
$460 to $1,650 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Lake Charles
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.