Driveways project guide

Driveways contractors cost and hiring guide

Gravel, asphalt and concrete driveways built on a proper base with the culvert, apron and drainage that keep them from failing.

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Key facts

Driveways numbers you can check

Rules and figures that come up in nearly every driveways quote, with the public source for each one.

Fact	What it says	Source
811 locates	Every dig that crosses soil, including driveway cuts and culvert trenches, starts with a free 811 locate.	Common Ground Alliance, 811 Before You DigAs of September 2026
Aggregate bid price	A Wisconsin county highway department’s 2025 bid priced base aggregate dense at $7.90 to $10.25 per ton loaded from stockpile.	Outagamie County Highway Dept., 2025 Crushed Stone Proposal PricesAs of September 2026
Operator wages	The median construction equipment operator earned $28.04 per hour in May 2024.	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook HandbookAs of September 2026

Project guide

Hiring driveways contractors

Driveway contractors build the surface between the road and the house, from a gravel farm lane to a poured concrete approach, and the base under the surface decides how long any of them last. A typical driveway is excavated to remove topsoil, graded with a crown or cross slope so water runs off, and built up with four to eight inches of compacted crushed stone before the top layer goes on. Where the driveway crosses a roadside ditch it needs a culvert sized by the county, and the connection to a public road is regulated by the road authority. Gravel is the least expensive and needs regrading every year or two; asphalt costs more and needs sealing; concrete costs the most up front and lasts longest if the base and joints are done right.

GradeLine lists 4,143 driveways contractors.Compare their work and equipment, then confirm availability and service area before requesting a quote.

Listed businesses are based in Goffstown, Lecanto, Fairfield, Newport, Waukegan, Fouke, though most crews travel well beyond their home city.

What driveways work costs

Gravel driveways typically run $1 to $3 per square foot, so a 12 by 100 foot lane costs roughly $1,500 to $4,000. Asphalt commonly lands at $4 to $10 per square foot and concrete at $6 to $14, putting a two-car residential driveway in the $4,000 to $12,000 range. Culverts add $1,500 to $5,000 depending on pipe size and length.

Ranges are national and approximate; regional labor rates, material prices and site conditions move them in both directions.

Common projects

New gravel, asphalt and concrete driveways for residential and rural properties
Widening, resurfacing, overlays and full base rebuilds on failed driveways
Culvert installation, ditch crossings, aprons, turnarounds and drainage repairs

What affects a quote

Length, width, slope and the heaviest vehicle that will use it, which sets base and surface thickness
Existing soil and how much of it has to be removed or stabilized before the base goes down
Surface choice, culvert and apron requirements, edging, and how far material has to be trucked

Driveways FAQ

What does driveways work cost?

What should I share when requesting a driveways estimate?

Send the length and width, the surface you want, where water pools now, the vehicles that will use it, and any road, gate or overhead constraints the crew should know about.

What can change the cost of driveways work?

The main cost items are length, width, slope and the heaviest vehicle that will use it, which sets base and surface thickness; existing soil and how much of it has to be removed or stabilized before the base goes down; surface choice, culvert and apron requirements, edging, and how far material has to be trucked. A site visit helps the crew see which ones apply.

Do driveways projects need permits?

A new or relocated connection to a public road almost always requires a driveway or access permit from the county, city or state DOT, which sets the culvert size, apron material and sight distance. Some HOAs and municipalities also regulate width, surface material and how much of the lot can be paved.

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4,143 contractors found

Steve Sarette & Son Excavation

Goffstown, NH Hillsborough County

demolition, driveways, excavation, grading, pond water management, septic systems

4.90

64 reviews