Asphalt driveway cost in Redding, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,500 – $8,800
- Per sq ft
- $5.80 – $14.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +18%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #30
- 1 = most expensive
Redding homeowners pay roughly $3,500 to $8,800 to pave a driveway at 600 sq ft, or $5.80 to $14.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Redding is 18% higher. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $39.97 an hour in the Redding area, 56% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Redding, CA, standard level
$5,100 to $7,200
About $8.35 to $12 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $3,550 |
| Labor | $2,300 | $3,500 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $160 |
| Total | $5,100 | $7,200 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Redding, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,100 | $3,100 | $4,150 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,400 | $2,900 | $4,400 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $130 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $3,500 | $6,150 | $8,800 | 100% |
Where the Redding price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $39.97 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Redding is 1.36 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 47% of the total. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the California statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Redding metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $3,100, compared with $2,950 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.7) and land at $50 to $200.
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 Redding. The wage table below marks each row.
When to schedule asphalt driveway in Redding
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Redding Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through May is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Redding (8 of 12 months). June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Redding gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, February and December (6.3 inches in December). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 1.8 and 1.9 inches. The station averages about 106 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 | 57 | 38 | 6.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 40 | 5.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 66 | 43 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 72 | 47 | 2.4 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 54 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 92 | 62 | 0.8 | Hot |
| Jul | 100 | 67 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 98 | 64 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 92 | 58 | 0.5 | Hot |
| Oct | 79 | 50 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 64 | 42 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 37 | 6.3 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Redding
Because every project leans on different trades, Redding's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +18% and concrete slab +9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,050 – $10,200 | +11% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,600 | +14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,050 | +11% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $710 – $2,450 | +18% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,700 – $5,650 | +9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,400 | +9% |
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in Redding
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.
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.
Redding: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Redding 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
$3,500 to $5,650
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$5,100 to $7,200
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$6,700 to $8,800
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,450 – $2,300 | $2,100 – $3,000 | $2,750 – $3,650 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,350 – $3,800 | $3,450 – $4,850 | $4,500 – $5,950 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $5,650 | $5,100 – $7,200 | $6,700 – $8,800 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,850 – $9,300 | $8,450 – $11,900 | $11,000 – $14,500 |
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 Redding is 1.36 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 Redding 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.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $26.82 an hour, 18% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.06 and $36.59 an hour. About 500 work in the metro. That is 69.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $37.06 an hour, which is 29% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.18 and $53.30 an hour. BLS counts 340 of them working in the area, 47.5 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 ($60.89 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $700. At the 25th percentile ($30.90) it shrinks by about $300. The total moves by 11.3% or 4.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 71,550 jobs in the Redding area. That makes it the 257th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| 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% | $22.06 | $26.82 | $36.59 | $22.66 | 1.18 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $30.18 | $37.06 | $53.30 | $28.78 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.36 | |||||
Optional extras in Redding
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Redding by the average of the local wage index (1.36) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.21. 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 | $720 – $1,450 |
How Redding compares
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 $5,500 to $6,400 across Redding and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redding, CAthis page | $3,500 – $8,800 | $6,150 | |
| Chico, CA80 miles | $3,550 – $8,800 | $6,150 | level |
| Medford, OR120 miles | $3,250 – $7,950 | $5,600 | −9% |
| Reno, NV135 miles | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | −11% |
| Sacramento, CA145 miles | $3,650 – $9,150 | $6,400 | +4% |
| Napa, CA155 miles | $3,600 – $9,100 | $6,350 | +3% |
| California (statewide) | $3,650 – $9,100 | $6,350 | +3% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −15% |
Across 300 US metros, Redding comes in at #30 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, Redding is 3% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | +4% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,100 – $10,600 | $7,350 | +19% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,800 – $9,800 | $6,800 | +11% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,500 – $8,600 | $6,050 | −2% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,850 – $9,850 | $6,850 | +11% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,650 – $9,150 | $6,400 | +4% |
Cities with a workforce like Redding's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Redding against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −14% |
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | −16% |
| Bangor, ME | 72,270 jobs | $2,950 – $7,200 | $5,050 | −18% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $3,100 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −14% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Asphalt driveway in Redding: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Redding?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,500 to $8,800 in the Redding area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,100 to $7,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Redding?
About $5.80 to $14.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $200 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Redding or Chico?
Chico is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $6,150, which is 0% more than Redding ($6,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Redding?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $2,900 out of $6,150. Materials are 51% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Redding?
$3,500 to $8,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Redding?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $200 for fees in the Redding area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Redding expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of California?
Redding is 3% below 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 Redding?
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 Redding?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,500 to $5,650 and premium work $6,700 to $8,800. 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 Redding?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through May. May and October 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 Redding?
$720 to $1,450 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Redding
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.