Gravel driveway cost in Portland, ME
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,500 – $10,100
- Per sq ft
- $2.50 – $9.90
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #136
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a gravel driveway in the Portland area: $2,500 to $10,100 for 1,000 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 3% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 97.2).
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Portland, ME, standard level
$4,750 to $7,850
About $4.70 to $7.70 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,750 |
| Labor | $2,450 | $3,950 |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $140 |
| Total | $4,750 | $7,850 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Portland, ME
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $3,000 | $4,850 | 48% |
| Labor | $1,300 | $3,200 | $5,050 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $100 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $2,500 | $6,300 | $10,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Portland number
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.31 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Portland 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. Portland is at 97.2 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 101.9: $0 to $200.
Specs and site conditions that change a Portland bid
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.
Who does the work: Portland trade wages
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 Portland the blend is 1.01.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.31 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.50 and $27.46 an hour. BLS counts 1,470 of them working in the area, 51.0 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 $28.62 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.00 and $30.84 an hour. About 880 work in the metro. That is 30.5 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 $290 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $130. That is a swing of roughly 2.0% to 4.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Portland-South Portland has 288,480 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 89th 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% | $21.50 | $23.31 | $27.46 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $25.00 | $28.62 | $30.84 | $28.78 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
The best months for gravel driveway in Portland
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Portland Intl Jetport (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 Portland 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 144 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Portland gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 69 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, October and December (5.3 inches in October). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 32 | 16 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 42 | 26 | 4.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 35 | 4.4 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 55 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 32 | 4.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 38 | 22 | 4.5 | Cold |
Optional extras in Portland
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.99 for Portland, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.01) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add edging (approx. 1 ft per 10 sq ft) | $500 – $1,800 |
Portland: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Portland. 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
$2,500 to $5,550
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,750 to $7,850
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$7,050 to $10,100
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,250 – $2,800 | $2,400 – $4,000 | $3,600 – $5,150 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,500 – $5,550 | $4,750 – $7,850 | $7,050 – $10,100 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,500 – $5,550 | $4,750 – $7,850 | $7,050 – $10,100 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,950 – $11,000 | $9,500 – $15,500 | $14,000 – $20,000 |
How Portland compares
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 $6,300 to $7,350 across Portland and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, MEthis page | $2,500 – $10,100 | $6,300 | |
| Manchester, NH85 miles | $2,500 – $10,100 | $6,300 | level |
| Boston, MA85 miles | $2,900 – $11,800 | $7,350 | +17% |
| Worcester, MA120 miles | $2,850 – $11,500 | $7,200 | +14% |
| Barnstable, MA135 miles | $2,800 – $11,300 | $7,050 | +12% |
| Providence, RI140 miles | $2,750 – $11,100 | $6,950 | +10% |
| Maine (statewide) | $2,400 – $9,850 | $6,150 | −3% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Portland ranks #136 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Portland is 3% above the Maine figure.
Elsewhere in Maine
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 72,270 jobs | $2,350 – $9,600 | $5,950 | −5% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $2,900 – $11,700 | $7,300 | +16% |
| Lexington, KY | 286,910 jobs | $2,450 – $9,900 | $6,150 | −2% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,400 | +1% |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $2,850 – $11,600 | $7,250 | +15% |
Planning more than one job in Portland?
Jobs that often go together with gravel driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Portland wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (+6%) and paver patio lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,500 | +1% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,750 – $9,550 | +3% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $610 – $2,150 | +2% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,500 | +6% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,250 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,250 | −3% |
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 $4,750 to $7,850 for Portland, ME is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Portland, ME, $9
Multi-page report for Portland, ME: 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 Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Portland?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,500 to $10,100 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,750 to $7,850. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Portland?
About $2.50 to $9.90 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 Portland or Manchester?
Manchester is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $6,300, which is 0% more than Portland ($6,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $3,200 out of $6,300. Materials are 48% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Portland?
$2,500 to $10,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Portland?
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 Portland area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Maine?
Portland is 3% above the Maine statewide estimate ($6,150 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Maine; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $23.31 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.50 to $27.46.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Portland?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,500 to $5,550 and premium work $7,050 to $10,100. 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 Portland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. July and August 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 Portland?
$500 to $1,800 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Portland
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.