Gravel driveway cost in Bismarck, ND
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,500 – $10,200
- Per sq ft
- $2.50 – $10
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #126
- 1 = most expensive
A gravel driveway in Bismarck, ND usually costs $2,500 to $10,200 for 1,000 sq ft. That works out to about $2.50 to $10 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.93 an hour in the Bismarck area, 6% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Bismarck, ND, standard level
$4,800 to $7,900
About $4.75 to $7.75 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,700 |
| Labor | $2,500 | $4,050 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $4,800 | $7,900 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Bismarck, ND
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $2,950 | $4,800 | 47% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $3,300 | $5,250 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $90 | $180 | 1% |
| Total | $2,500 | $6,350 | $10,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Bismarck number
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, Bismarck wages are 1.05 times the national level. Labor makes up about 52% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Bismarck is at 95.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,100 nationally becomes $2,950 here (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.0: $0 to $180.
Is Bismarck cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Bismarck. Rapid City is the lowest at about $6,150 (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft), 210 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, NDthis page | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | |
| Fargo, ND190 miles | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | level |
| Rapid City, SD210 miles | $2,450 – $9,900 | $6,150 | −3% |
| Sioux Falls, SD305 miles | $2,450 – $10,000 | $6,200 | −2% |
| St. Cloud, MN325 miles | $2,800 – $11,300 | $7,050 | +11% |
| Sioux City, IA380 miles | $2,450 – $9,900 | $6,200 | −3% |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | level |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Bismarck ranks #126 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Bismarck is 0% above the North Dakota figure.
Elsewhere in North Dakota
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND | 148,660 jobs | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bismarck against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redding, CA | 71,550 jobs | $2,850 – $11,600 | $7,250 | +14% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $2,500 – $10,100 | $6,300 | −1% |
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $2,650 – $10,800 | $6,750 | +6% |
| Janesville, WI | 69,870 jobs | $2,600 – $10,600 | $6,600 | +4% |
Bismarck 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, Bismarck (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 Bismarck are May through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, April, 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 184 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Bismarck gets about 19 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (3.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 1.7 and 1.4 inches. The station averages about 21 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 | 23 | 2 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 28 | 7 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 19 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 30 | 1.3 | Cold |
| May | 68 | 42 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 53 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 58 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 56 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 46 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 57 | 33 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 41 | 19 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 28 | 8 | 0.6 | Cold |
Extras that change the Bismarck total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.00 for Bismarck, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.05) 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) | $500 – $1,800 |
Planning more than one job in Bismarck?
Jobs that often go together with gravel driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Bismarck wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+7%) and concrete slab 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 | $3,600 – $9,200 | level |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,450 | +5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,050 | −2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,850 | +7% |
What local crews earn in Bismarck
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 Bismarck the blend is 1.05.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.93 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.87 and $29.41 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 87.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 50% of the weighting: a median of $29.88 an hour, 4% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.67 and $35.15 an hour. About 580 work in the metro. That is 81.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $380 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $140. That is a swing of roughly 2.3% to 6.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Bismarck has 71,270 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 258th 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% | $21.87 | $23.93 | $29.41 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $25.67 | $29.88 | $35.15 | $28.78 | 1.04 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Bismarck: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Bismarck. 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 $5,600
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,800 to $7,900
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$7,150 to $10,200
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,250 – $2,850 | $2,450 – $4,000 | $3,600 – $5,200 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,500 – $5,600 | $4,800 – $7,900 | $7,150 – $10,200 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,500 – $5,600 | $4,800 – $7,900 | $7,150 – $10,200 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $5,000 – $11,100 | $9,600 – $15,700 | $14,100 – $20,200 |
Gravel driveway: what moves the price in Bismarck
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.
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 $4,800 to $7,900 for Bismarck, ND is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Bismarck, ND, $9
Multi-page report for Bismarck, ND: 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 Bismarck: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Bismarck?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,500 to $10,200 in the Bismarck area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,800 to $7,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Bismarck?
About $2.50 to $10 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $180 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Bismarck or Fargo?
Fargo is 190 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $6,350, which is 0% less than Bismarck ($6,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bismarck?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $3,300 out of $6,350. Materials are 47% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Bismarck?
$2,500 to $10,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Bismarck?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $180 for fees in the Bismarck area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bismarck expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of North Dakota?
Bismarck is 0% above the North Dakota statewide estimate ($6,350 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in North Dakota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Bismarck?
The BLS median is $23.93 an hour in the Bismarck area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.87 to $29.41.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Bismarck?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,500 to $5,600 and premium work $7,150 to $10,200. 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 Bismarck?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May 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 Bismarck?
$500 to $1,800 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Bismarck
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.