Driveway excavation cost
The published national range for digging a driveway, the costs that can come with it and the rules to check first.
Updated September 13, 2026
The figures here are published national ranges from cost guides and contractors. They aren't quotes, we didn't measure them, and local prices vary. Use them to plan a budget, then get quotes from contractors near you.
The dig
Driveway excavation averages $1,000 to $5,000.1 Ask whether a quote also includes the gravel base or paving.
Costs that can come with it
| Item | Published range |
|---|---|
| Removing trees in the way | $400–$1,200 per tree2 |
| Hauling dirt away | $8–$25 per cubic yard3 |
| Fill dirt | $5–$25 per cubic yard4 |
| Rock or ledge removal | $1,000 to more than $20,0003 |
| Excavation permit | $50–$4004 |
| Mobilization on a rural job | $500–$2,000 or more2 |
What moves the price
- Access. Restricted access that needs smaller equipment or hand digging increases costs by 30% to 100%.5
- Soil and rock. Clay and rock cost more to dig than loam.
Before work starts
811 is the free national call-before-you-dig service.6 You or your contractor should contact it a few business days before digging begins.7
State rules differ. In Pennsylvania, contractors who do $5,000 or more a year of home improvement work, which includes driveways, must register with the Attorney General.8 In Michigan, excavation on a one- or two-family home is covered by the residential maintenance and alteration contractor license when the contract price is $600 or more.9, 10
Ranges compiled from HomeGuide, Angi, SiteX, CostFlowAI and contractor-published guides, checked September 2026.