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What Is the Cost to Build a Road per Mile?

Around 4,000 BC, the first roadways were constructed using stone and wood. The Romans popularized the use of stone pavement for road construction a few thousand years later, mostly in North Africa and Europe, though there is evidence that similar techniques were also used in South America and India.

Over time, road construction has developed steadily. By adjusting slope slopes and stone thickness, stones were eventually arranged in a regular, compact pattern and covered by smaller stones to create a solid layer, which resulted in stronger, smoother roads. These days, asphalt and/or concrete are typically used to build roadways.

Setting out, earthworks, and pavement construction are the three main steps in the construction of modern roadways. In this article, we will discuss how much it costs to build a road per mile.

Detailed Breakdown of How Much It Costs to Build a Road per Mile


Item Details
Constructing a Two-lane, Undivided Road $2 to $3 million per mile in rural locales
Constructing a Two-lane, Undivided Road in Urban Areas $3 to $5 million per mile
Constructing a 4-lane Highway in Rural or Suburban Areas $4 to $6 million per mile
Constructing a 4-lane Highway in Urban Areas $8 to $10 million per mile
Constructing a 6-lane Interstate Highway in Rural Areas $7 million per mile
Constructing a 6-lane Interstate Highway in Urban Areas $11 million-plus per mile
Cost to Mill and Resurface a 4-lane Road $1.25 million per mile
Cost to Expand a 4-lane Road to 6-lanes Approximately $4 million
Reconstructing Existing Lane of Major Urban Freeway (2014) $7.7 million per mile
Reconstructing Existing Lane of Collector Street in Small Urban Area (2014) $1.5 million per mile
Small Urban Area Population 5,000 to 49,999
Small Urbanized Area Population 50,000 to 200,000
Large Urbanized Area Population More than 200,000
Major Urbanized Area Population More than 1 million

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Private Road?

 

Cost Factor Details
Size

    • Cost per square foot: $1.25 to $15

    • Standard width for a private road: 12 feet

    • Cost for a 100-foot road: $750 to $9,000
Permits

    • Permit cost: $500 to $2,000

    • Possible need for private road maintenance agreement

    • Check with local fire department for guidelines
Site Preparation

    • Removing existing driveway: $2 to $6 per sq foot

    • Tree removal: $400 to $1,200 per tree

    • Land clearing: $250 to $1,000 per acre
Grading or Resloping

    • Cost: $400 to $5,000

    • Average cost: $1,900
Depth and Width

    • Standard width: 12 feet

    • Standard depth: 4 inches for normal usage, 6 inches for heavy vehicle traffic
Materials

    • Asphalt: $7–$13 per sq. ft.

    • Concrete: $4–$15 per sq. ft.

    • Gravel: $1.25–$3 per sq. ft.

    • Stabilized gravel: $2–$12 per sq. ft.
Apron Installation

    • Cost: $4,400 on average, $1,300 to $7,800

    • Planning permission typically required
Labor

    • Labor contributes roughly 80% of total cost, average $7,700

    • Civil engineer: $100 to $200/hour

    • Land preparation specialist: $120 to $250/hour

    • Paver: $50 to $80/hour
Road Drainage

    • Cost: $2,000 to $5,500

    • Not necessary for every project depending on property layout
Tools and Supplies

    • DIY gravel road cost: approximately $600 (materials only)

    • Average tools and supplies cost: around $1,000
Type of Road

    • Gravel: $1.25–$3/sq. ft.

    • Stabilized gravel: $2–$12/sq. ft.

    • Asphalt: $7–$13/sq. ft.

    • Concrete: $4–$15/sq. ft.
Ongoing Road-Building Expenses

    • Maintenance varies by road type

    • Ongoing maintenance required for private roads
Repair Costs

    • Patching potholes: $30–$50 each

    • Sealing cracks: $150–$500

    • Sealcoating: $0.10–$0.40/sq. ft.

    • Resurfacing: $3–$5/sq. ft.

    • Concrete leveling: $3–$25/sq. ft.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

    • DIY gravel road cost: approximately $600

    • Professional installation recommended for asphalt/concrete
Ways to Save Money

    • Choose gravel if not in harsh weather area

    • Shop around for material prices

    • Get multiple quotes from contractors

    • Keep road width to standard 12 feet

    • Prep land and drainage beforehand

Conclusion

In this piece, you learned about the cost to build a road per mile, how much does it cost to build a private road, and other relevant details regarding the concept of road building. For more informative guides, stay connected to Buildersviller.

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