HomeGuide's national range for an installed gravel driveway is $4 to $10 per square foot, so a 100 by 10 foot drive comes to about $4,000 to $10,000. On western Pennsylvania hills, the grade of the drive decides whether gravel stays put.
Prices on this page are national ranges from HomeGuide, not quotes from us. On Pittsburgh lots, the slope, the rock, the access up the street and the distance to the dump change the real number. Figures checked October 2026.
What does a gravel driveway cost to dig and build?
A gravel driveway costs $4 to $10 per square foot to build by HomeGuide's gravel driveway page, plus $1 to $3 per square foot for grading. Excavating the drive pad is $1,000 to $2,500 by its excavation page.
| Drive area | HomeGuide national range |
|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $2,000 to $5,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $4,000 to $10,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $8,000 to $20,000 |
How deep do you dig for a driveway?
We dig a driveway down through topsoil and soft clay to firm ground or rock, then build up with compacted stone. For asphalt or concrete, the paving contractor's section sets the depth.
How thick should the base be, and how much gravel for a 100-foot drive?
The base should be thick enough to carry trucks without rutting in a thaw; soft clay needs more than firm shale. To estimate, multiply length x width x depth in feet and divide by 27. For 100 feet x 9 feet x 6 inches: 100 x 9 x 0.5 = 450 cubic feet, about 16.7 cubic yards.
Which type of gravel is best for a driveway?
Crushed stone with fines, such as PennDOT 2A or crusher run, is the best type because it compacts and locks. Nationally, crusher run costs $25 to $50 per ton and crushed stone $30 to $60, per HomeGuide. On a steep drive, round gravel will not stay.
My steep gravel drive washes out every storm. How do I fix it?
A steep gravel drive washes out when water runs down its length. Shape it to shed water to the side, add water bars or a cross drain to turn the flow every so often, and line the uphill side with a ditch. Very steep sections may need paving.
Do I need a culvert at the road in Pittsburgh?
You need a culvert where the drive crosses a roadside ditch. The road owner sets the size: the municipality on local roads, PennDOT on state routes. Nationally, culverts or drains cost $500 to $2,000, per HomeGuide.
What does a long driveway through the woods cost in Pittsburgh?
HomeGuide prints no price for a long driveway through woods, so we add up clearing ($1,200 to $8,000 per acre), grading ($1 to $3 per square foot), stone and culverts. On wooded hills, keeping the grade gentle sometimes means a longer, curving route.
How much to remove an old concrete or asphalt driveway?
Our HomeGuide price file has no stand-alone figure to remove a concrete or asphalt driveway, so we price it with the new base. The same machine breaks it out and the same trucks haul it.
For a price on your own property, call or text (412) 501-2259. We see the site, then give you the scope and price in writing.