Excavation
RV Parking Pad Cost in Oregon: Gravel & Concrete
Cojo
April 18, 2026
10 min read
A Class A motorhome can weigh 30,000+ pounds. A travel trailer with a loaded dual-axle configuration can push 10,000+ pounds. Boats on trailers are lighter but still concentrate weight on narrow tire contact patches. Any of these sitting on unprepared ground for a wet Oregon winter will sink, rut, and eventually either drop into a hole or need a towing bill to get out.
An RV parking pad is the solution — a properly excavated, compacted, and surfaced pad that handles the load, drains water, and gives you a stable, clean place to store a rig year-round. Most Oregon homeowners choose between two options: a compacted gravel pad (lower cost, drains best) or a concrete pad (higher cost, longest-lasting, best for full-time parking). The base-rock and compaction approach borrows directly from our driveway base preparation guide, and the broader excavation cost factors piece covers the site variables that shift pricing on any residential dig.
Industry sources have historically reported the following baseline ranges for residential RV and boat parking pad excavation in Oregon:
Industry Baseline Range
| Pad Type / Size | Unit | Industry Baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Small gravel RV pad (10x30, for a small trailer) | Flat cost | $1,500 – $5,500+ |
| Standard gravel RV pad (12x40) | Flat cost | $2,500 – $9,000+ |
| Large gravel RV pad (14x50, Class A) | Flat cost | $3,500 – $14,000+ |
| Small concrete RV pad (10x30) | Flat cost | $3,500 – $13,000+ |
| Standard concrete RV pad (12x40) | Flat cost | $6,000 – $22,000+ |
| Large concrete RV pad (14x50) | Flat cost | $9,000 – $35,000+ |
| Per sq ft (excavation + surface) | sq ft | $4 – $20+ per sq ft |
| Haul-off, per load | per load | $250 – $750+ per load |
The industry baseline ranges above represent ideal conditions — easy access, workable soil, shallow depth, minimal haul-off. In practice, actual project costs frequently exceed published averages by 2 to 3 times when complications arise. Oregon's clay soils, rocky terrain, unmarked utilities, permit requirements, and disposal fees can all push costs well above baseline figures. The only reliable way to know your actual cost is through an on-site assessment.
Smaller RV pad jobs carry a $500 – $1,500+ minimum callout.
A gravel pad is the most common Oregon RV parking solution because it is faster, drains naturally, and flexes with ground movement. The build is a heavier-load cousin of the approach in our shed pad excavation cost guide — same fabric, same compaction-in-lifts discipline, just deeper and wider.
Typical gravel RV pad specs:
Pros:
Cons:
A concrete pad is the right choice for full-time RV storage, heavy Class A motorhomes, or homeowners who want a clean surface for vehicle maintenance.
Typical concrete RV pad specs:
Pros:
Cons:
Concrete cure is 7+ days before parking a filled rig on it.
Clay subgrade. Heavy rigs on Willamette Valley clay sink without proper base rock depth and fabric. Expect 20–30% higher excavation and base cost compared to sandy or loamy sites.
Rainfall. Oregon's 35–60+ inches annual rainfall on the west side demands good drainage design. Raise pads 1–2 inches above surrounding grade and slope away from the house. On lots with standing-water problems already, backyard grading cost in Oregon is worth reading before siting the pad, and a channel drain installation at the pad edge is a common add-on where the pad meets the driveway.
Freeze-thaw in higher elevations. Central Oregon RV pads need deeper base rock (8–10 inches) and air-entrained concrete.
Setbacks and zoning. Most Oregon cities regulate RV storage on residential lots — setbacks from property lines, screening requirements, and in some cases outright prohibitions on street-front RV storage. Always check local code before building a pad.
Driveway and access. If the RV pad connects to the street, the city often requires a driveway permit and a specific apron design.
811 Oregon utility locate. Before any digging, 811 locate is free and required. Side-yard RV pad sites frequently have buried septic, irrigation, and low-voltage crossing the footprint.
Small gravel pads for light trailers (10x20 or so) are within reach for a capable DIYer with a rented mini skid steer, several truckloads of rock, and a plate compactor. Full gravel pads for Class A rigs and all concrete pads benefit from professional equipment and experience.
Hire a professional when:
Grading permits can be required if the pad alters drainage significantly or is in a flood zone.
Driveway permits are required when the pad connects to a public right-of-way, with specific apron design requirements.
Zoning compliance is the big one for RV pads — many Oregon cities restrict where and how RVs can be stored on residential property.
Typical permit costs run $100 – $600+; driveway permits and apron work can add more.
Our full vetting framework — CCB lookup, bonding, bid comparison, red flags — lives in how to hire a residential excavation contractor.
An RV pad is a long-term storage solution and the excavation is what decides whether it stays level and drains for 20 years. Cojo provides free on-site assessments for Oregon RV and boat parking pad projects. Get a free excavation estimate, browse our services, jump to excavation services, or see completed work in our project portfolio. Planning guides are available in our resources library.
How much does an RV parking pad cost in Oregon? Industry sources have historically reported gravel RV pads at $1,500 to $14,000+ and concrete RV pads at $3,500 to $35,000+ depending on size and conditions. Per-sq-ft ranges run $4 to $20+. Oregon clay, haul-off, and permit costs can push pricing above baseline. Small jobs carry a $500 – $1,500+ minimum callout.
Gravel or concrete — which is better for an RV pad in Oregon? Gravel is cheaper, drains naturally, and forgives ground movement — ideal for smaller trailers and seasonal storage. Concrete is more durable, cleaner, and required for heavier Class A motorhomes or full-time parking. In wet Oregon climate, gravel is the cost-effective default for most homeowners; concrete is the upgrade when budget and load justify it.
How deep is an RV parking pad excavated? Gravel RV pads in Oregon are typically excavated 8–14 inches deep to accommodate fabric and 6–10 inches of compacted base rock plus surface gravel. Concrete RV pads are typically 12–18 inches deep for 6–8 inches of base rock plus a 6–8 inch slab. Clay-heavy sites often require additional over-excavation.
Do I need a permit for an RV parking pad in Oregon? Grading permits are sometimes required depending on volume and drainage impact. Driveway permits are required when the pad connects to a public right-of-way. Zoning compliance is often the bigger factor — many cities regulate where RVs can be stored on residential lots. Check local code before starting.
How long does an RV pad installation take? Small gravel pads take 1–2 days. Standard gravel pads take 2–4 days. Concrete pads run 3–10+ days of prep plus pour and cure (7+ days before parking a loaded rig). Wet-season Oregon weather can extend all of these timelines.
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