Gravel driveway cost in Myrtle Beach, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,200 – $9,000
- Per sq ft
- $2.20 – $8.80
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −12%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #268
- 1 = most expensive
Myrtle Beach homeowners pay roughly $2,200 to $9,000 to install a gravel driveway at 1,000 sq ft, or $2.20 to $8.80 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Myrtle Beach is 12% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $18.37 an hour in the Myrtle Beach area, 19% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Myrtle Beach, SC, standard level
$4,250 to $6,950
About $4.20 to $6.80 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,700 |
| Labor | $1,900 | $3,100 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $4,250 | $6,950 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Myrtle Beach, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $3,000 | $4,800 | 53% |
| Labor | $1,050 | $2,500 | $4,000 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $95 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $2,200 | $5,600 | $9,000 | 100% |
Where the Myrtle Beach 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, Myrtle Beach wages are 0.80 times the national level. Labor makes up about 45% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Myrtle Beach metro is 96.3 (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 (93.6) and land at $0 to $190.
When to schedule gravel driveway in Myrtle Beach
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Myrtle Beach (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for digging, grading and setting material in the ground in Myrtle Beach: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F)) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Myrtle Beach gets about 54 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (6.8 inches in September). The station averages about 22 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 | 56 | 34 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 58 | 36 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 72 | 51 | 3.4 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 60 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 68 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 72 | 6.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 87 | 70 | 6.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 65 | 6.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 54 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 42 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 59 | 36 | 3.8 | Workable |
What nearby projects cost in Myrtle Beach
Because every project leans on different trades, Myrtle Beach's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −8% and concrete driveway −15%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $6,700 | −9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,800 | −15% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $530 – $1,850 | −11% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,350 – $3,000 | −8% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,700 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,600 – $4,750 | −13% |
Cost by quality level and size in Myrtle Beach
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Myrtle Beach 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
$2,200 to $4,900
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,250 to $6,950
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$6,250 to $9,000
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,100 – $2,500 | $2,150 – $3,550 | $3,200 – $4,600 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,200 – $4,900 | $4,250 – $6,950 | $6,250 – $9,000 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,200 – $4,900 | $4,250 – $6,950 | $6,250 – $9,000 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,400 – $9,750 | $8,400 – $13,800 | $12,400 – $17,800 |
Myrtle Beach against nearby metros and the rest of South Carolina
Same job, same size (1,000 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Wilmington is the priciest of the group at $5,900.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach, SCthis page | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | |
| Florence, SC50 miles | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | +5% |
| Wilmington, NC60 miles | $2,300 – $9,450 | $5,900 | +5% |
| Fayetteville, NC80 miles | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +4% |
| Charleston, SC85 miles | $2,300 – $9,450 | $5,900 | +5% |
| Columbia, SC120 miles | $2,250 – $9,300 | $5,800 | +3% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +4% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +14% |
Across 300 US metros, Myrtle Beach comes in at #268 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, Myrtle Beach is 4% below the South Carolina figure.
Other South Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | +5% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $2,250 – $9,300 | $5,800 | +3% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $2,300 – $9,450 | $5,900 | +5% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $2,250 – $9,300 | $5,800 | +3% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | +5% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $2,350 – $9,550 | $5,950 | +6% |
Cities with a workforce like Myrtle Beach's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Myrtle Beach against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND | 148,660 jobs | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +13% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $3,150 – $12,800 | $7,950 | +42% |
| Killeen, TX | 150,580 jobs | $2,150 – $8,850 | $5,500 | −2% |
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $2,400 – $9,800 | $6,100 | +9% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Myrtle Beach bid
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.
Grading and edging
Grading runs $1-$3 per sq ft. Edging to keep the stone in is $5-$18 per linear foot.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Myrtle Beach is 0.80 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $18.37 an hour, 19% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.32 and $22.65 an hour. About 1,440 work in the metro. That is 98.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.59 an hour, which is 22% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $19.93 and $23.83 an hour. BLS counts 980 of them working in the area, 67.0 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 ($22.65 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $300. At the 25th percentile ($17.32) it shrinks by about $75. The total moves by 5.3% or 1.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 146,260 jobs in the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach area. That makes it the 157th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.09% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $17.32 | $18.37 | $22.65 | $22.66 | 0.81 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $19.93 | $22.59 | $23.83 | $28.78 | 0.78 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
Optional extras in Myrtle Beach
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Myrtle Beach by the average of the local wage index (0.80) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.88. 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) | $440 – $1,600 |
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 $4,250 to $6,950 for Myrtle Beach, SC is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Myrtle Beach, SC, $9
The report lays out the gravel driveway numbers for Myrtle Beach, SC 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 Myrtle Beach: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Myrtle Beach?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,200 to $9,000 in the Myrtle Beach area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,250 to $6,950. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Myrtle Beach?
About $2.20 to $8.80 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 Myrtle Beach or Florence?
Florence is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $5,850, which is 5% more than Myrtle Beach ($5,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Myrtle Beach?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $2,500 out of $5,600. Materials are 53% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Myrtle Beach?
$2,200 to $9,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Myrtle Beach?
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 Myrtle Beach area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Myrtle Beach expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Myrtle Beach is 4% below the South Carolina statewide estimate ($5,800 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Myrtle Beach?
The BLS median is $18.37 an hour in the Myrtle Beach area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.32 to $22.65.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Myrtle Beach?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,200 to $4,900 and premium work $6,250 to $9,000. Basic means: crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground. Premium means: deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage.
+Is there a bad season to install a gravel driveway in Myrtle Beach?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add edging" add in Myrtle Beach?
$440 to $1,600 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Myrtle Beach
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.