Gravel driveway cost in Atlantic City, NJ
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,800 – $11,300
- Per sq ft
- $2.80 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +11%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #60
- 1 = most expensive
A gravel driveway in Atlantic City, NJ usually costs $2,800 to $11,300 for 1,000 sq ft. That works out to about $2.80 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $690 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $26.50 an hour in the Atlantic City area, 17% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Atlantic City, NJ, standard level
$5,350 to $8,750
About $5.30 to $8.60 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $3,850 |
| Labor | $2,950 | $4,750 |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $140 |
| Total | $5,350 | $8,750 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Atlantic City, NJ
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $3,100 | $5,000 | 44% |
| Labor | $1,600 | $3,850 | $6,100 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $100 | $200 | 1% |
| Total | $2,800 | $7,050 | $11,300 | 100% |
Where the Atlantic City price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 50%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 50%. Weighted together, Atlantic City wages are 1.22 times the national level. Labor makes up about 55% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Atlantic City is at 99.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,100 nationally becomes $3,100 here (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.9: $0 to $200.
Related projects, priced for Atlantic City
Jobs that often go together with gravel driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Atlantic City wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+15%) and sod installation lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,650 | +3% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,950 – $10,100 | +10% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +15% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,300 | +1% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,450 | +6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,250 – $5,950 | +9% |
What local crews earn in Atlantic City
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 Atlantic City the blend is 1.22.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $26.50 an hour, which is 17% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.00 and $35.67 an hour. BLS counts 1,140 of them working in the area, 67.6 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 $36.65 an hour, 27% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.46 and $59.01 an hour. About 320 work in the metro. That is 19.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $640 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $450. That is a swing of roughly 6.4% to 9.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Atlantic City-Hammonton has 168,700 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 139th 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% | $20.00 | $26.50 | $35.67 | $22.66 | 1.17 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $29.46 | $36.65 | $59.01 | $28.78 | 1.27 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.22 | |||||
Atlantic City against nearby metros and the rest of New Jersey
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Atlantic City. Dover is the lowest at about $5,900 (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft), 45 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City, NJthis page | $2,800 – $11,300 | $7,050 | |
| Vineland, NJ20 miles | $3,200 – $12,800 | $8,000 | +14% |
| Dover, DE45 miles | $2,300 – $9,500 | $5,900 | −16% |
| Philadelphia, PA50 miles | $2,650 – $10,800 | $6,700 | −5% |
| Trenton, NJ70 miles | $2,950 – $11,900 | $7,450 | +6% |
| Lancaster, PA95 miles | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,450 | −8% |
| New Jersey (statewide) | $3,150 – $12,700 | $7,950 | +13% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | −10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Atlantic City ranks #60 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Atlantic City is 11% below the New Jersey figure.
Elsewhere in New Jersey
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJ | 240,190 jobs | $2,950 – $11,900 | $7,450 | +6% |
| Vineland, NJ | 62,300 jobs | $3,200 – $12,800 | $8,000 | +14% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Atlantic City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | −10% |
| Lubbock, TX | 166,780 jobs | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | −22% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 170,820 jobs | $2,300 – $9,300 | $5,800 | −18% |
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $2,950 – $11,800 | $7,350 | +5% |
Cost by quality level and size in Atlantic City
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Atlantic City. 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
$2,800 to $6,200
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$5,350 to $8,750
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$7,900 to $11,300
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,400 – $3,150 | $2,700 – $4,450 | $4,000 – $5,750 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,800 – $6,200 | $5,350 – $8,750 | $7,900 – $11,300 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,800 – $6,200 | $5,350 – $8,750 | $7,900 – $11,300 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $5,550 – $12,300 | $10,600 – $17,300 | $15,700 – $22,400 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Atlantic City bid
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.
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.
Extras that change the Atlantic City total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.11 for Atlantic City, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.22) and goods price index (1.00). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add edging (approx. 1 ft per 10 sq ft) | $550 – $2,000 |
Atlantic City 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, Atlantic City (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 Atlantic City are March through December: 10 of 12. Outside them, January and February have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January and February the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 56 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Atlantic City gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, October and December (4.3 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and June are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 42 | 30 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 43 | 31 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 37 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 57 | 46 | 3.4 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 55 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 65 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 71 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 70 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 65 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 54 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 43 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 35 | 4.2 | Workable |
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Detailed gravel driveway report for Atlantic City, NJ, $9
The report lays out the gravel driveway numbers for Atlantic City, NJ 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 Atlantic City: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Atlantic City?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,800 to $11,300 in the Atlantic City area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,350 to $8,750. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Atlantic City?
About $2.80 to $11 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 Atlantic City or Vineland?
Vineland is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $8,000, which is 14% more than Atlantic City ($7,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Atlantic City?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $3,850 out of $7,050. Materials are 44% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Atlantic City?
$2,800 to $11,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Atlantic City?
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 Atlantic City area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Atlantic City expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of New Jersey?
Atlantic City is 11% below the New Jersey statewide estimate ($7,950 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in New Jersey; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Atlantic City?
The BLS median is $26.50 an hour in the Atlantic City area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.00 to $35.67.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Atlantic City?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,800 to $6,200 and premium work $7,900 to $11,300. 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 Atlantic City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through December. May and June 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 Atlantic City?
$550 to $2,000 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Atlantic City
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.