Asphalt driveway cost in Los Angeles, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,650 – $9,200
- Per sq ft
- $6 – $15
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +23%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #12
- 1 = most expensive
An asphalt driveway in Los Angeles, CA usually costs $3,650 to $9,200 for 600 sq ft. That works out to about $6 to $15 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,200 more. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $39.97 an hour in the Los Angeles area, 56% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Los Angeles, CA, standard level
$5,300 to $7,550
About $8.70 to $12.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,750 | $3,600 |
| Labor | $2,450 | $3,750 |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $180 |
| Total | $5,300 | $7,550 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Los Angeles, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,100 | $3,150 | $4,200 | 49% |
| Labor | $1,500 | $3,100 | $4,750 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $140 | $230 | 2% |
| Total | $3,650 | $6,450 | $9,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Los Angeles number
Labor is 49% 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 Los Angeles the blended ratio comes out at 1.46. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the California statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Los Angeles is at 106.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $3,150 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 113.6: $55 to $230.
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 Los Angeles. The wage table below marks each row.
Los Angeles weather and the asphalt driveway calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Culver City (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for digging, grading and setting material in the ground in Los Angeles: 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.
Los Angeles gets about 14 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (3.5 inches in February). The station averages about 7 days a year at 90°F or above.
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 | 67 | 48 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 51 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 53 | 0.6 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 57 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 60 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 63 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 64 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 62 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 58 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 71 | 52 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 47 | 2.5 | Workable |
Is Los Angeles cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 600 sq ft range from $6,050 to $6,800 across Los Angeles and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CAthis page | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | |
| Oxnard, CA55 miles | $3,600 – $8,950 | $6,300 | −2% |
| Bakersfield, CA90 miles | $3,550 – $8,800 | $6,150 | −4% |
| Santa Maria, CA110 miles | $3,550 – $8,900 | $6,200 | −3% |
| San Diego, CA110 miles | $3,500 – $8,600 | $6,050 | −6% |
| Riverside, CA120 miles | $3,800 – $9,800 | $6,800 | +6% |
| California (statewide) | $3,650 – $9,100 | $6,350 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −19% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Los Angeles ranks #12 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Los Angeles is 1% above the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,100 – $10,600 | $7,350 | +14% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,800 – $9,800 | $6,800 | +6% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,500 – $8,600 | $6,050 | −6% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,850 – $9,850 | $6,850 | +7% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,650 – $9,150 | $6,400 | −1% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $3,550 – $8,800 | $6,150 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Los Angeles against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $3,600 – $8,900 | $6,250 | −3% |
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $3,700 – $9,350 | $6,500 | +2% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $3,000 – $7,250 | $5,100 | −20% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $2,950 – $7,000 | $4,950 | −23% |
Optional extras in Los Angeles
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.26 for Los Angeles, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.46) and goods price index (1.07). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $760 – $1,500 |
What local crews earn in Los Angeles
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 Los Angeles the blend is 1.46.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Los Angeles metro, so we used the California statewide median: $39.97 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $30.90 and $60.89 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $28.28 an hour, which is 25% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.75 and $37.31 an hour. BLS counts 21,730 of them working in the area, 34.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $44.66 an hour, 55% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $31.40 and $60.51 an hour. About 8,780 work in the metro. That is 14.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer 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 $700 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $300. That is a swing of roughly 4.7% to 10.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has 6,271,560 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 2nd 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% | $30.90 | $39.97 | $60.89 | $25.64 | 1.56 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.75 | $28.28 | $37.31 | $22.66 | 1.25 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $31.40 | $44.66 | $60.51 | $28.78 | 1.55 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.46 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: asphalt driveway pricing in Los Angeles
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Los Angeles. 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
$3,650 to $5,850
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$5,300 to $7,550
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$7,000 to $9,200
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,500 – $2,400 | $2,200 – $3,100 | $2,900 – $3,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,450 – $3,950 | $3,600 – $5,100 | $4,700 – $6,200 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $5,850 | $5,300 – $7,550 | $7,000 – $9,200 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $6,050 – $9,700 | $8,800 – $12,400 | $11,500 – $15,200 |
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in Los Angeles
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.
Related projects, priced for Los Angeles
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Los Angeles wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+25%) and paver patio lowest (+12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,200 – $10,800 | +17% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,100 – $12,600 | +23% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,150 | +12% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $750 – $2,600 | +25% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,850 | +13% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,650 | +15% |
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 $5,300 to $7,550 for Los Angeles, CA is attached.
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Asphalt driveway in Los Angeles: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Los Angeles?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,650 to $9,200 in the Los Angeles area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,300 to $7,550. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Los Angeles?
About $6 to $15 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $230 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Los Angeles or Oxnard?
Oxnard is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $6,300, which is 2% less than Los Angeles ($6,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Los Angeles?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $3,100 out of $6,450. Materials are 49% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Los Angeles?
$3,650 to $9,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Los Angeles?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $230 for fees in the Los Angeles area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Los Angeles expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of California?
Los Angeles is 1% above the California statewide estimate ($6,350 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Los Angeles?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $39.97 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.90 to $60.89.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Los Angeles?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,650 to $5,850 and premium work $7,000 to $9,200. 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
$760 to $1,500 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Los Angeles
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.