Gravel driveway cost in Greensboro, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,250 – $9,200
- Per sq ft
- $2.25 – $9
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #244
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a gravel driveway in Greensboro, plan on $2,250 to $9,200 for 1,000 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $2.25 to $9 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 10% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $19.28 an hour in the Greensboro area, 15% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Greensboro, NC, standard level
$4,350 to $7,100
About $4.30 to $7 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,750 |
| Labor | $2,000 | $3,250 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $4,350 | $7,100 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Greensboro, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $3,000 | $4,850 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,100 | $2,650 | $4,200 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $95 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $2,250 | $5,750 | $9,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Greensboro 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 $19.28 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Greensboro is 0.84 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 46% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Greensboro metro is 96.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,000 sq ft comes to $3,000, compared with $3,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.9) and land at $0 to $190.
Greensboro: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Greensboro 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
$2,250 to $5,050
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,350 to $7,100
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$6,400 to $9,200
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,100 – $2,550 | $2,200 – $3,600 | $3,250 – $4,700 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,250 – $5,050 | $4,350 – $7,100 | $6,400 – $9,200 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,250 – $5,050 | $4,350 – $7,100 | $6,400 – $9,200 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,500 – $10,000 | $8,600 – $14,100 | $12,700 – $18,200 |
What nearby projects cost in Greensboro
Because every project leans on different trades, Greensboro's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −5% and concrete driveway −13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,850 – $6,850 | −7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | −13% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $550 – $1,900 | −9% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,700 | −10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,700 – $4,900 | −10% |
Greensboro against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
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 $5,750 to $6,000 across Greensboro and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro, NCthis page | $2,250 – $9,200 | $5,750 | |
| Burlington, NC20 miles | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | +2% |
| Winston, NC30 miles | $2,250 – $9,250 | $5,750 | level |
| Durham, NC40 miles | $2,350 – $9,600 | $6,000 | +5% |
| Raleigh, NC75 miles | $2,350 – $9,600 | $5,950 | +4% |
| Charlotte, NC80 miles | $2,350 – $9,600 | $5,950 | +4% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $2,300 – $9,450 | $5,900 | +3% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +11% |
Across 300 US metros, Greensboro comes in at #244 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, Greensboro is 3% below the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $2,350 – $9,600 | $5,950 | +4% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $2,350 – $9,600 | $5,950 | +4% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $2,350 – $9,600 | $6,000 | +5% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $2,250 – $9,250 | $5,750 | level |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $2,300 – $9,450 | $5,900 | +3% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $2,350 – $9,550 | $5,950 | +4% |
Cities with a workforce like Greensboro's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Greensboro against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,450 | +13% |
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | −5% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $2,550 – $10,500 | $6,500 | +14% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $2,850 – $11,500 | $7,200 | +26% |
Extras that change the Greensboro total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Greensboro by the average of the local wage index (0.84) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.90. 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) | $450 – $1,600 |
Climate in Greensboro: timing your gravel driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Greensboro Wtp (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through December is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Greensboro (11 of 12 months). January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 62 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Greensboro gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.8 inches in July). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.5 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 42 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 | 50 | 30 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 54 | 33 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 62 | 39 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 48 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 58 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 65 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 71 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 87 | 68 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 61 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 71 | 49 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 61 | 39 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 33 | 3.4 | Workable |
Greensboro labor market for gravel driveway
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 Greensboro is 0.84 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $19.28 an hour, 15% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.65 and $23.22 an hour. About 2,190 work in the metro. That is 59.9 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 $23.71 an hour, which is 18% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.54 and $25.62 an hour. BLS counts 1,080 of them working in the area, 29.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($23.22 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $270. At the 25th percentile ($17.65) it shrinks by about $110. The total moves by 4.8% or 2.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 365,410 jobs in the Greensboro-High Point area. That makes it the 71st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.23% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $17.65 | $19.28 | $23.22 | $22.66 | 0.85 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $21.54 | $23.71 | $25.62 | $28.78 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Greensboro bid
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.
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.
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 $4,350 to $7,100 for Greensboro, NC is attached.
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Gravel driveway in Greensboro: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Greensboro?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,250 to $9,200 in the Greensboro area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,350 to $7,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Greensboro?
About $2.25 to $9 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Greensboro or Burlington?
Burlington is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $5,850, which is 2% more than Greensboro ($5,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Greensboro?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $2,650 out of $5,750. Materials are 52% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Greensboro?
$2,250 to $9,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Greensboro?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $190 for fees in the Greensboro area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Greensboro expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Greensboro is 3% below the North Carolina statewide estimate ($5,900 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Greensboro?
The BLS median is $19.28 an hour in the Greensboro area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.65 to $23.22.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Greensboro?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,250 to $5,050 and premium work $6,400 to $9,200. 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 Greensboro?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. February and November 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 Greensboro?
$450 to $1,600 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Greensboro
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.