Asphalt driveway cost in Anchorage, AK
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,600 – $8,900
- Per sq ft
- $5.90 – $14.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +19%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #22
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an asphalt driveway in the Anchorage area: $3,600 to $8,900 for 600 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 19% higher than the US figure. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $40.48 an hour in the Anchorage area, 58% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Anchorage, AK, standard level
$5,200 to $7,300
About $8.45 to $12 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,750 | $3,600 |
| Labor | $2,300 | $3,550 |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $160 |
| Total | $5,200 | $7,300 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Anchorage, AK
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,150 | $3,200 | $4,250 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,400 | $2,900 | $4,450 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 | $210 | 2% |
| Total | $3,600 | $6,250 | $8,900 | 100% |
What is behind the Anchorage number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators at 40%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%. Weighted together, Anchorage wages are 1.37 times the national level. Labor makes up about 47% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Anchorage is at 107.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $3,200 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 105.4: $55 to $210.
Specs and site conditions that change a Anchorage bid
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.
Hot-mix price
Hot-mix asphalt is $100-$200 per ton delivered and moves with oil prices (PaveGauge).
Sealcoating
Sealing is $1-$2 per sq ft and is a maintenance cost, not part of the install.
Who does the work: Anchorage trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Anchorage the blend is 1.37.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071), 40% of the weighting: a median of $40.48 an hour, 58% above the US median of $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $32.13 and $48.19 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 3.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $27.00 an hour, which is 19% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.90 and $34.85 an hour. BLS counts 1,860 of them working in the area, 105.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $36.79 an hour, 28% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $32.05 and $46.54 an hour. About 980 work in the metro. That is 55.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $260 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $280. That is a swing of roughly 4.4% to 4.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Anchorage has 177,050 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 131st by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $32.13 | $40.48 | $48.19 | $25.64 | 1.58 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.90 | $27.00 | $34.85 | $22.66 | 1.19 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $32.05 | $36.79 | $46.54 | $28.78 | 1.28 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.37 | |||||
The best months for asphalt driveway in Anchorage
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Eagle Rvr Nature Ctr (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Anchorage are May through September: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, October, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, April, October, November and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 204 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Anchorage gets about 23 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are August, September and October (3.6 inches in September). Inside the workable window, May and June are the driest, at 0.9 and 1.3 inches.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21 | 6 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 28 | 12 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 35 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 47 | 27 | 0.8 | Cold |
| May | 58 | 36 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 65 | 44 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 67 | 48 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Aug | 65 | 45 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 56 | 37 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 42 | 26 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Nov | 26 | 13 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 23 | 9 | 2.0 | Cold |
What nearby projects cost in Anchorage
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Anchorage wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+31%) and paver patio lowest (+11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,650 – $12,100 | +31% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,900 – $11,800 | +15% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,050 | +11% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $680 – $2,350 | +13% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $3,050 – $6,250 | +21% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,500 – $5,050 | +25% |
Cost by quality level and size in Anchorage
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Anchorage. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft.
Basic
$3,600 to $5,700
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$5,200 to $7,300
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$6,800 to $8,900
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,450 – $2,350 | $2,150 – $3,000 | $2,800 – $3,700 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,400 – $3,850 | $3,500 – $4,950 | $4,550 – $6,000 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,600 – $5,700 | $5,200 – $7,300 | $6,800 – $8,900 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,950 – $9,450 | $8,550 – $12,100 | $11,200 – $14,700 |
Anchorage against nearby metros and the rest of Alaska
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Anchorage. Spokane is the lowest at about $6,200 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 1570 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AKthis page | $3,600 – $8,900 | $6,250 | |
| Bellingham, WA1410 miles | $3,650 – $9,250 | $6,450 | +4% |
| Bremerton, WA1450 miles | $3,600 – $8,950 | $6,250 | level |
| Seattle, WA1480 miles | $3,750 – $9,450 | $6,600 | +6% |
| Olympia, WA1485 miles | $3,700 – $9,350 | $6,500 | +4% |
| Spokane, WA1570 miles | $3,550 – $8,800 | $6,200 | −1% |
| Alaska (statewide) | $3,550 – $8,900 | $6,250 | level |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −16% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Anchorage ranks #22 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Anchorage is 0% above the Alaska figure.
Anchorage is the only Alaska metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Anchorage against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD | 178,590 jobs | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −17% |
| Reading, PA | 174,670 jobs | $3,100 – $7,550 | $5,350 | −15% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $2,750 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −24% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −16% |
Add-ons priced for Anchorage
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.22 for Anchorage, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.37) and goods price index (1.07). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $730 – $1,450 |
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 $5,200 to $7,300 for Anchorage, AK is attached.
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Asphalt driveway in Anchorage: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Anchorage?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,600 to $8,900 in the Anchorage area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,200 to $7,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Anchorage?
About $5.90 to $14.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $210 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Anchorage or Bellingham?
Bellingham is 1410 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $6,450, which is 4% more than Anchorage ($6,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Anchorage?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $2,900 out of $6,250. Materials are 51% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Anchorage?
$3,600 to $8,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Anchorage?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $210 for fees in the Anchorage area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Anchorage expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Alaska?
Anchorage is 0% above the Alaska statewide estimate ($6,250 at the midpoint).
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Anchorage?
The BLS median is $40.48 an hour in the Anchorage area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $32.13 to $48.19.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Anchorage?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,600 to $5,700 and premium work $6,800 to $8,900. Basic means: new topcoat over a sound base, flat lot. Premium means: full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth.
+When is the best time to pave a driveway in Anchorage?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. May and June are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add a sealcoat" add in Anchorage?
$730 to $1,450 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Anchorage
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.