Gravel driveway cost in Knoxville, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,300 – $9,500
- Per sq ft
- $2.30 – $9.30
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #201
- 1 = most expensive
A gravel driveway in Knoxville, TN usually costs $2,300 to $9,500 for 1,000 sq ft. That works out to about $2.30 to $9.30 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $450 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.18 an hour in the Knoxville area, 2% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Knoxville, TN, standard level
$4,450 to $7,350
About $4.40 to $7.20 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,700 |
| Labor | $2,150 | $3,500 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $4,450 | $7,350 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Knoxville, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $3,000 | $4,800 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,150 | $2,800 | $4,500 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $95 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $2,300 | $5,900 | $9,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Knoxville 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 $22.18 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Knoxville is 0.90 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 48% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Knoxville is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,100 nationally becomes $3,000 here (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.6: $0 to $190.
Cost by quality level and size in Knoxville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Knoxville. 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
$2,300 to $5,200
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,450 to $7,350
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$6,600 to $9,500
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,150 – $2,650 | $2,250 – $3,750 | $3,350 – $4,850 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,300 – $5,200 | $4,450 – $7,350 | $6,600 – $9,500 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,300 – $5,200 | $4,450 – $7,350 | $6,600 – $9,500 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,650 – $10,300 | $8,900 – $14,500 | $13,100 – $18,800 |
Knoxville against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
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 $5,350 to $6,050 across Knoxville and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TNthis page | $2,300 – $9,500 | $5,900 | |
| Asheville, NC95 miles | $2,350 – $9,550 | $5,950 | +1% |
| Dalton, GA95 miles | $2,100 – $8,550 | $5,350 | −10% |
| Chattanooga, TN95 miles | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | −1% |
| Johnson City, TN100 miles | $2,250 – $9,150 | $5,700 | −3% |
| Kingsport, TN100 miles | $2,400 – $9,750 | $6,050 | +3% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $2,350 – $9,550 | $5,950 | +1% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Knoxville ranks #201 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Knoxville is 1% below the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $2,400 – $9,800 | $6,100 | +3% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $2,350 – $9,600 | $6,000 | +2% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | −1% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $2,400 – $9,750 | $6,050 | +3% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | −1% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $2,300 – $9,300 | $5,800 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Knoxville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | −1% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | −1% |
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | −1% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $2,800 – $11,400 | $7,100 | +20% |
Add-ons priced for Knoxville
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.93 for Knoxville, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.90) 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) | $460 – $1,650 |
Knoxville 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, Knoxville Mcghee Tyson Ap (10 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 Knoxville are February through December: 11 of 12. Outside them, 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 67 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Knoxville gets about 52 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 37 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 | 48 | 30 | 4.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 53 | 33 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 61 | 40 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 48 | 4.7 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 57 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 65 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 69 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 88 | 68 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 61 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 72 | 49 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 60 | 38 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 51 | 33 | 5.0 | Workable |
Specs and site conditions that change a Knoxville 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.
Planning more than one job in Knoxville?
Jobs that often go together with gravel driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Knoxville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−3%) and concrete driveway lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $6,700 | −9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,200 | −11% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $2,000 | −6% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,100 | −5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,800 | −8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,300 | −3% |
What local crews earn in Knoxville
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 Knoxville the blend is 0.90.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.18 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.16 and $25.87 an hour. BLS counts 3,640 of them working in the area, 85.7 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 $23.41 an hour, 19% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.22 and $27.74 an hour. About 1,210 work in the metro. That is 28.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $260 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $280. That is a swing of roughly 4.7% to 4.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Knoxville has 424,600 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 59th 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% | $18.16 | $22.18 | $25.87 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $21.22 | $23.41 | $27.74 | $28.78 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.90 | |||||
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 $4,450 to $7,350 for Knoxville, TN is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Knoxville, TN, $9
Multi-page report for Knoxville, TN: 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 Knoxville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Knoxville?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,300 to $9,500 in the Knoxville area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,450 to $7,350. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Knoxville?
About $2.30 to $9.30 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 Knoxville or Asheville?
Asheville is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $5,950, which is 1% more than Knoxville ($5,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Knoxville?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $2,800 out of $5,900. Materials are 51% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Knoxville?
$2,300 to $9,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Knoxville?
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 Knoxville area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Knoxville expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Knoxville is 1% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($5,950 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Knoxville?
The BLS median is $22.18 an hour in the Knoxville area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.16 to $25.87.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Knoxville?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,300 to $5,200 and premium work $6,600 to $9,500. 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 Knoxville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. 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 Knoxville?
$460 to $1,650 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Knoxville
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.