Gravel driveway cost in Laredo, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,100 – $8,600
- Per sq ft
- $2.10 – $8.40
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −16%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #296
- 1 = most expensive
Laredo homeowners pay roughly $2,100 to $8,600 to install a gravel driveway at 1,000 sq ft, or $2.10 to $8.40 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Laredo is 16% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $16.22 an hour in the Laredo area, 28% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Laredo, TX, standard level
$4,050 to $6,650
About $4 to $6.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,200 | $3,600 |
| Labor | $1,800 | $2,900 |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 |
| Total | $4,050 | $6,650 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Laredo, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $2,900 | $4,700 | 54% |
| Labor | $970 | $2,350 | $3,700 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $85 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $2,100 | $5,350 | $8,600 | 100% |
Why Laredo prices look the way they do
Labor is 44% 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 Laredo the blended ratio comes out at 0.74.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Laredo metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,000 sq ft comes to $2,900, compared with $3,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.0) and land at $0 to $170.
When to schedule gravel driveway in Laredo
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Laredo 2 (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through April is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Laredo (7 of 12 months). May, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Laredo gets about 20 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, July and September (3.9 inches in September). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.7 inches. The station averages about 178 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 | 68 | 47 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 74 | 52 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 81 | 58 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 88 | 65 | 1.3 | Workable |
| May | 94 | 72 | 2.8 | Hot |
| Jun | 99 | 76 | 1.8 | Hot |
| Jul | 100 | 77 | 1.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 101 | 77 | 1.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 94 | 73 | 3.9 | Hot |
| Oct | 87 | 66 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 77 | 56 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 69 | 48 | 1.1 | Workable |
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 Laredo is 0.74 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $16.22 an hour, 28% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $13.98 and $17.72 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 36.6 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 $22.16 an hour, which is 23% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $19.06 and $23.48 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 25.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($17.72 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $100. At the 25th percentile ($13.98) it shrinks by about $160. The total moves by 2.0% or 2.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 109,370 jobs in the Laredo area. That makes it the 191st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $13.98 | $16.22 | $17.72 | $22.66 | 0.72 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $19.06 | $22.16 | $23.48 | $28.78 | 0.77 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.74 | |||||
Is Laredo cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (1,000 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Austin is the priciest of the group at $5,800. McAllen is the cheapest at $5,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo, TXthis page | $2,100 – $8,600 | $5,350 | |
| McAllen, TX120 miles | $2,050 – $8,350 | $5,200 | −3% |
| Corpus Christi, TX120 miles | $2,250 – $9,150 | $5,700 | +7% |
| San Antonio, TX125 miles | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | +5% |
| Brownsville, TX160 miles | $2,050 – $8,400 | $5,200 | −2% |
| Austin, TX200 miles | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +9% |
| Texas (statewide) | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +9% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +19% |
Across 300 US metros, Laredo comes in at #296 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, Laredo is 8% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $2,400 – $9,850 | $6,100 | +15% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $2,350 – $9,550 | $5,950 | +11% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +9% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | +5% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $2,100 – $8,650 | $5,400 | +1% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $2,050 – $8,350 | $5,200 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Laredo's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Laredo against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $2,450 – $9,950 | $6,200 | +16% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $2,200 – $8,900 | $5,550 | +4% |
| Tyler, TX | 115,220 jobs | $2,150 – $8,800 | $5,500 | +3% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $2,700 – $11,100 | $6,900 | +29% |
What nearby projects cost in Laredo
Because every project leans on different trades, Laredo's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −12% and concrete driveway −17%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,700 – $6,450 | −12% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,550 | −17% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $510 – $1,800 | −15% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,300 – $2,850 | −13% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,100 – $4,550 | −13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,550 – $4,600 | −15% |
Why two Laredo quotes can differ
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.
Add-ons priced for Laredo
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Laredo by the average of the local wage index (0.74) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.84. 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) | $420 – $1,500 |
Cost by quality level and size in Laredo
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Laredo 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
$2,100 to $4,700
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,050 to $6,650
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$6,000 to $8,600
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,050 – $2,400 | $2,050 – $3,400 | $3,050 – $4,400 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,100 – $4,700 | $4,050 – $6,650 | $6,000 – $8,600 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,100 – $4,700 | $4,050 – $6,650 | $6,000 – $8,600 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,200 – $9,300 | $8,000 – $13,100 | $11,900 – $17,000 |
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 $4,050 to $6,650 for Laredo, TX is attached.
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Gravel driveway in Laredo: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Laredo?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,100 to $8,600 in the Laredo area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,050 to $6,650. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Laredo?
About $2.10 to $8.40 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Laredo or McAllen?
McAllen is 120 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $5,200, which is 3% less than Laredo ($5,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Laredo?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $2,350 out of $5,350. Materials are 54% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Laredo?
$2,100 to $8,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Laredo?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $170 for fees in the Laredo area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Laredo expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Texas?
Laredo is 8% below the Texas statewide estimate ($5,800 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Laredo?
The BLS median is $16.22 an hour in the Laredo area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $13.98 to $17.72.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Laredo?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,100 to $4,700 and premium work $6,000 to $8,600. 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 Laredo?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. January and February 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 Laredo?
$420 to $1,500 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Laredo
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.