Asphalt driveway cost in Daphne, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $2,750 – $6,600
- Per sq ft
- $4.55 – $10.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #273
- 1 = most expensive
Daphne homeowners pay roughly $2,750 to $6,600 to pave a driveway at 600 sq ft, or $4.55 to $10.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Daphne is 10% lower. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $20.14 an hour in the Daphne area, 21% below the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Daphne, AL, standard level
$3,900 to $5,450
About $6.35 to $8.85 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 36% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $1,350 | $2,050 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $150 |
| Total | $3,900 | $5,450 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Daphne, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 61% |
| Labor | $810 | $1,700 | $2,600 | 36% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $120 | $190 | 3% |
| Total | $2,750 | $4,700 | $6,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Daphne number
Labor is 36% of the midpoint bill here, against 41% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (40%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Daphne the blended ratio comes out at 0.80. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Daphne metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $2,850, compared with $2,950 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (94.7) and land at $45 to $190.
Data note: 40% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Daphne. The wage table below marks each row.
What nearby projects cost in Daphne
Because every project leans on different trades, Daphne's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −11% and concrete driveway −15%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,750 | −15% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,200 – $9,050 | −12% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,800 | −12% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $540 – $1,900 | −11% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,650 | −11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,450 | −13% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Daphne is 0.80 times the national level.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Daphne metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $20.14 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.74 and $23.61 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $18.48 an hour, 18% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.06 and $22.49 an hour. About 970 work in the metro. That is 111.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $22.81 an hour, which is 21% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $19.61 and $27.05 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 40.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($23.61 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $120. At the 25th percentile ($17.74) it shrinks by about $80. The total moves by 2.5% or 1.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 87,120 jobs in the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley area. That makes it the 225th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $17.74 | $20.14 | $23.61 | $25.64 | 0.79 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.06 | $18.48 | $22.49 | $22.66 | 0.82 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $19.61 | $22.81 | $27.05 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
Optional extras in Daphne
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Daphne by the average of the local wage index (0.80) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.88. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $530 – $1,050 |
When to schedule asphalt driveway in Daphne
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Fairhope 3 Ne (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for digging, grading and setting material in the ground in Daphne: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F)) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Daphne gets about 66 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (7.6 inches in July). The station averages about 47 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 61 | 39 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 65 | 43 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 47 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 76 | 53 | 5.2 | Workable |
| May | 83 | 61 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 70 | 6.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 72 | 7.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 89 | 71 | 7.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 86 | 67 | 6.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 56 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 70 | 46 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 42 | 5.1 | Workable |
Is Daphne cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Crestview is the priciest of the group at $4,850. Hattiesburg is the cheapest at $4,550.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne, ALthis page | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | |
| Mobile, AL25 miles | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −1% |
| Pensacola, FL35 miles | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,800 | +3% |
| Gulfport, MS75 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | +1% |
| Crestview, FL85 miles | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | +4% |
| Hattiesburg, MS95 miles | $2,700 – $6,400 | $4,550 | −3% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +12% |
Across 300 US metros, Daphne comes in at #273 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $7,650; the cheapest is Fort Smith, AR at $4,450 (midpoints, 600 sq ft). Statewide, Daphne is 1% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | +4% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $2,800 – $6,750 | $4,800 | +2% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −1% |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $2,750 – $6,450 | $4,600 | −2% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $2,700 – $6,450 | $4,550 | −2% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $2,700 – $6,400 | $4,550 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Daphne's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Daphne against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | +12% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +20% |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −1% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | +2% |
Cost by quality level and size in Daphne
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Daphne wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$2,750 to $4,300
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$3,900 to $5,450
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,050 to $6,600
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,150 – $1,800 | $1,600 – $2,250 | $2,100 – $2,750 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,850 – $2,900 | $2,650 – $3,700 | $3,400 – $4,450 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $2,750 – $4,300 | $3,900 – $5,450 | $5,050 – $6,600 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $4,600 – $7,100 | $6,450 – $8,950 | $8,350 – $10,900 |
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in Daphne
New versus overlay
Resurfacing an existing driveway runs $3-$7 per sq ft; a full new driveway runs $5-$12+ (HomeGuide). Tearing out and replacing one is higher still.
Base work
Four to eight inches of compacted aggregate under the asphalt is where cheap quotes cut corners. Base typically runs $1-$3 per sq ft.
Small jobs cost more per foot
Paving crews move a paver, roller and trucks to your address, so a 400 sq ft driveway carries more mobilization per square foot than a 1,000 sq ft one.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $3,900 to $5,450 for Daphne, AL is attached.
Detailed asphalt driveway report for Daphne, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Daphne, AL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Asphalt driveway in Daphne: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Daphne?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,750 to $6,600 in the Daphne area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,900 to $5,450. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Daphne?
About $4.55 to $10.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Daphne or Mobile?
Mobile is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,650, which is 1% less than Daphne ($4,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Daphne?
About 36% at the midpoint, or $1,700 out of $4,700. Materials are 61% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Daphne?
$2,750 to $6,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Daphne?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $190 for fees in the Daphne area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Daphne expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Alabama?
Daphne is 1% above the Alabama statewide estimate ($4,650 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Daphne?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $20.14 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.74 to $23.61.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Daphne?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $2,750 to $4,300 and premium work $5,050 to $6,600. Basic means: new topcoat over a sound base, flat lot. Premium means: full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth.
+Is there a bad season to pave a driveway in Daphne?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add a sealcoat" add in Daphne?
$530 to $1,050 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Daphne
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Paving an Asphalt Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- PaveGauge: Asphalt Driveway Cost (2026): Price by Size (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = hot-mix asphalt ($2.30-$3.60/sq ft at 3 in) plus aggregate base ($1-$3/sq ft) from PaveGauge's component table.