Cheapest States for Driveway (2026)
Driveway cost ranked across all 50 states for a typical 500 sq ft project. The Midwest is cheapest (from $2,500); the West is priciest (up to $9,000) — a spread of about 50%.
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Which states are cheapest for a driveway? Driveway is least expensive in the Midwest — including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia — where a typical 500 sq ft project averages $4,000. It is most expensive in the West (Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Idaho), averaging $6,000. The national average is about $4,600 in 2026.
- Cheapest region
- Midwest
- Priciest region
- West
- National average
- $4,600
- State spread
- ~50%
$5–$14 per sq ft. States include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia.
$7–$18 per sq ft. States include Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Idaho.
Driveway Cost by Region, Ranked
Cheapest to most expensive, for a typical 500 sq ft project (2026).
| Rank | Region | Per sq ft | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midwest | $5–$14 | $2,500–$7,000 |
| 2 | Southeast | $4–$13 | $2,000–$6,500 |
| 3 | Southwest | $5–$14 | $2,500–$7,000 |
| 4 | Northeast | $6–$16 | $3,000–$8,000 |
| 5 | West | $7–$18 | $3,500–$9,000 |
Driveway Cost by State, Ranked (2026)
All 50 states, cheapest to most expensive, for a typical 500 sq ft project. Click any state for a full local breakdown.
| # | State | Region | Avg total | vs. US avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 2 | Arizona | Southwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 3 | Arkansas | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 4 | Florida | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 5 | Georgia | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 6 | Illinois | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 7 | Indiana | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 8 | Iowa | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 9 | Kansas | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 10 | Kentucky | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 11 | Louisiana | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 12 | Michigan | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 13 | Minnesota | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 14 | Mississippi | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 15 | Missouri | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 16 | Nebraska | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 17 | New Mexico | Southwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 18 | North Carolina | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 19 | North Dakota | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 20 | Ohio | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 21 | Oklahoma | Southwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 22 | South Carolina | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 23 | South Dakota | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 24 | Tennessee | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 25 | Texas | Southwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 26 | Virginia | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 27 | West Virginia | Southeast | $4,000 | -13% |
| 28 | Wisconsin | Midwest | $4,000 | -13% |
| 29 | Connecticut | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 30 | Delaware | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 31 | Maine | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 32 | Maryland | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 33 | Massachusetts | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 34 | New Hampshire | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 35 | New Jersey | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 36 | New York | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 38 | Rhode Island | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 39 | Vermont | Northeast | $5,000 | +9% |
| 40 | Alaska | West | $6,000 | +30% |
| 41 | California | West | $6,000 | +30% |
| 42 | Colorado | West | $6,000 | +30% |
| 43 | Hawaii | West | $6,000 | +30% |
| 44 | Idaho | West | $6,000 | +30% |
| 45 | Montana | West | $6,000 | +30% |
| 46 | Nevada | West | $6,000 | +30% |
| 47 | Oregon | West | $6,000 | +30% |
| 48 | Utah | West | $6,000 | +30% |
| 49 | Washington | West | $6,000 | +30% |
| 50 | Wyoming | West | $6,000 | +30% |
"Avg total" is the mid-range estimate for a 500 sq ft project. "vs. US avg" compares it against the $4,600 national average.
How this ranking is calculated
BuildCost models driveway pricing across five U.S. regions (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, West). Each state is ranked by its region's labor and material costs, so states in the same region share a baseline — actual prices still vary by metro, contractor, and site conditions. Totals assume a typical 500 sq ft project at mid-grade materials. For a precise local figure, open your state's page or run the free estimate tool.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest state for a driveway?
The lowest driveway costs are in the Midwest region — states like Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia. A typical 500 sq ft project there runs $2,500–$7,000, averaging $4,000 in 2026.
What is the most expensive state for a driveway?
The highest driveway costs are in the West region — states like Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Idaho. A typical 500 sq ft project there runs $3,500–$9,000, averaging $6,000 — roughly 50% more than the cheapest region.
How much does a driveway cost on average in the US?
Nationally, a driveway costs $2,700–$7,500 for a typical 500 sq ft project, averaging about $4,600 in 2026.
Why does driveway cost vary by state?
The biggest driver is regional labor rates, which can differ 30–50% between markets. Material logistics, permit fees, code requirements, climate-driven construction needs, and local contractor demand also push costs up or down. BuildCost models pricing across five U.S. regions, so states in the same region share a baseline.
Compare Other Project Costs by State
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How big is your Driveway?
A 1-car driveway is ~240 sq ft. A 2-car driveway is 400–600 sq ft (20×20 to 20×30).
Driveway cost guide
National averages, labor vs. materials, hidden costs, and contractor questions.
Driveway Cost Guide →Ready to Hire a Driveway Contractor?
Use your estimate to get competitive bids from licensed local contractors. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to avoid overpaying.
Local contractor matching coming soon.