Gravel driveway cost in Scranton, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,500 – $10,300
- Per sq ft
- $2.50 – $10
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #119
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a gravel driveway in Scranton, plan on $2,500 to $10,300 for 1,000 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $2.50 to $10 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.22 an hour in the Scranton area, 2% above the US median of $22.66.
Estimate your gravel driveway cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Scranton, PA, standard level
$4,850 to $7,950
About $4.80 to $7.80 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $3,900 |
| Labor | $2,450 | $3,900 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $4,850 | $7,950 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Scranton, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $3,100 | $5,050 | 49% |
| Labor | $1,300 | $3,150 | $5,050 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $95 | $190 | 1% |
| Total | $2,500 | $6,400 | $10,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Scranton number
Labor is 50% 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 Scranton the blended ratio comes out at 1.01.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Scranton metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,000 sq ft comes to $3,100, compared with $3,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.6) and land at $0 to $190.
Climate in Scranton: timing your gravel driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Wilkes-Barre Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Scranton (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March 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 122 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Scranton gets about 39 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 45 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.2 inches in September). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.3 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 36 | 20 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 39 | 22 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 29 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 61 | 39 | 3.3 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 50 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 58 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 63 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 34 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 40 | 26 | 2.8 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Scranton 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.
Scranton 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 Scranton is 1.01 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $23.22 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.53 and $28.89 an hour. About 1,450 work in the metro. That is 56.7 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 $28.52 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $24.92 and $35.72 an hour. BLS counts 950 of them working in the area, 37.2 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 ($28.89 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $390. At the 25th percentile ($19.53) it shrinks by about $260. The total moves by 6.2% or 4.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 255,620 jobs in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre area. That makes it the 102nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.16% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $19.53 | $23.22 | $28.89 | $22.66 | 1.02 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $24.92 | $28.52 | $35.72 | $28.78 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Scranton?
Because every project leans on different trades, Scranton's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +2% and sod installation −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,500 | +1% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,300 | +1% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | −1% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,250 | −2% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,200 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,550 | +2% |
Optional extras in Scranton
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Scranton by the average of the local wage index (1.01) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 1.01. 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) | $500 – $1,800 |
Is Scranton cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (1,000 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Allentown is the priciest of the group at $6,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton, PAthis page | $2,500 – $10,300 | $6,400 | |
| Allentown, PA45 miles | $2,550 – $10,500 | $6,500 | +2% |
| Binghamton, NY60 miles | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,500 | +1% |
| Reading, PA65 miles | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,500 | +2% |
| Lancaster, PA90 miles | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,450 | +1% |
| Harrisburg, PA90 miles | $2,550 – $10,300 | $6,400 | level |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $2,550 – $10,300 | $6,400 | level |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Scranton comes in at #119 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, Scranton is 0% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $2,650 – $10,800 | $6,700 | +5% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $2,550 – $10,500 | $6,500 | +2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $2,550 – $10,300 | $6,400 | level |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,450 | +1% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,500 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Scranton's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Scranton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $2,750 – $11,300 | $7,000 | +10% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,450 | +1% |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $2,200 – $9,100 | $5,650 | −11% |
| Palm Bay, FL | 245,170 jobs | $2,300 – $9,450 | $5,850 | −8% |
Scranton: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Scranton 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
$2,500 to $5,600
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,850 to $7,950
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$7,150 to $10,300
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,250 – $2,850 | $2,450 – $4,050 | $3,650 – $5,200 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,500 – $5,600 | $4,850 – $7,950 | $7,150 – $10,300 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,500 – $5,600 | $4,850 – $7,950 | $7,150 – $10,300 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $5,050 – $11,200 | $9,650 – $15,700 | $14,200 – $20,300 |
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 $4,850 to $7,950 for Scranton, PA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Scranton, PA: 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 Scranton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Scranton?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,500 to $10,300 in the Scranton area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,850 to $7,950. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Scranton?
About $2.50 to $10 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 Scranton or Allentown?
Allentown is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $6,500, which is 2% more than Scranton ($6,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Scranton?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $3,150 out of $6,400. Materials are 49% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Scranton?
$2,500 to $10,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Scranton?
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 Scranton area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Scranton expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Scranton is 0% below the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($6,400 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Scranton?
The BLS median is $23.22 an hour in the Scranton area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.53 to $28.89.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Scranton?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,500 to $5,600 and premium work $7,150 to $10,300. 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 Scranton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. April 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 Scranton?
$500 to $1,800 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Scranton
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.