Asphalt driveway cost in Fort Collins, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,050 – $7,550
- Per sq ft
- $5.05 – $12.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #112
- 1 = most expensive
An asphalt driveway in Fort Collins, CO usually costs $3,050 to $7,550 for 600 sq ft. That works out to about $5.05 to $12.50 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $30.24 an hour in the Fort Collins area, 18% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Fort Collins, CO, standard level
$4,400 to $6,200
About $7.20 to $10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,450 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $1,850 | $2,850 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $160 |
| Total | $4,400 | $6,200 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Fort Collins, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 54% |
| Labor | $1,100 | $2,350 | $3,550 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $130 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,300 | $7,550 | 100% |
What is behind the Fort Collins 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, Fort Collins wages are 1.10 times the national level. Labor makes up about 44% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Fort Collins is at 96.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $2,850 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.1: $50 to $200.
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in Fort Collins
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.
Hot-mix price
Hot-mix asphalt is $100-$200 per ton delivered and moves with oil prices (PaveGauge).
What nearby projects cost in Fort Collins
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Fort Collins wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+2%) and concrete slab lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,250 | level |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,200 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,550 | +2% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $610 – $2,150 | +2% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,150 | −1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,000 | level |
What local crews earn in Fort Collins
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 Fort Collins the blend is 1.10.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071), 40% of the weighting: a median of $30.24 an hour, 18% above the US median of $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $24.63 and $31.00 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 3.5 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 $22.86 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.83 and $27.15 an hour. BLS counts 930 of them working in the area, 54.9 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 $31.08 an hour, 8% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.33 and $35.64 an hour. About 600 work in the metro. That is 35.4 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 $25 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $190. That is a swing of roughly 3.5% to 0.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Fort Collins-Loveland has 169,430 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 138th 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% | $24.63 | $30.24 | $31.00 | $25.64 | 1.18 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $20.83 | $22.86 | $27.15 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.33 | $31.08 | $35.64 | $28.78 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.10 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: asphalt driveway pricing in Fort Collins
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Fort Collins. 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
$3,050 to $4,850
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,400 to $6,200
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,750 to $7,550
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,250 – $2,000 | $1,850 – $2,600 | $2,400 – $3,150 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,050 – $3,300 | $3,000 – $4,200 | $3,900 – $5,100 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,050 – $4,850 | $4,400 – $6,200 | $5,750 – $7,550 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,100 – $8,050 | $7,300 – $10,300 | $9,500 – $12,500 |
How Fort Collins 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 $5,100 to $5,450 across Fort Collins and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, COthis page | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | |
| Boulder, CO40 miles | $3,100 – $7,600 | $5,350 | level |
| Greeley, CO60 miles | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −1% |
| Cheyenne, WY60 miles | $2,950 – $7,250 | $5,100 | −4% |
| Denver, CO90 miles | $3,150 – $7,700 | $5,450 | +2% |
| Colorado Springs, CO135 miles | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | −3% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $3,100 – $7,550 | $5,300 | level |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Fort Collins ranks #112 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Fort Collins is 0% above the Colorado figure.
Elsewhere in Colorado
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $3,150 – $7,700 | $5,450 | +2% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | −3% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $3,100 – $7,600 | $5,350 | level |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −1% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | −3% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,200 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fort Collins against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 170,820 jobs | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,850 | −9% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 168,700 jobs | $3,150 – $7,650 | $5,400 | +2% |
| Visalia, CA | 171,140 jobs | $3,400 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +10% |
| Lubbock, TX | 166,780 jobs | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −13% |
Optional extras in Fort Collins
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.03 for Fort Collins, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.10) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $620 – $1,250 |
Fort Collins 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, Ft Collins (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 Fort Collins are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, 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 150 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Fort Collins gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (2.7 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 1.4 and 1.3 inches. The station averages about 29 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 | 45 | 18 | 0.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 21 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 29 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 63 | 35 | 2.1 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 44 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 53 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 59 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 57 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 48 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 36 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 26 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 44 | 18 | 0.5 | Cold |
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 $4,400 to $6,200 for Fort Collins, CO is attached.
Detailed asphalt driveway report for Fort Collins, CO, $9
The report lays out the asphalt driveway numbers for Fort Collins, CO line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Fort Collins: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Fort Collins?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,050 to $7,550 in the Fort Collins area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,400 to $6,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Fort Collins?
About $5.05 to $12.50 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 Fort Collins or Boulder?
Boulder is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,350, which is 0% more than Fort Collins ($5,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Collins?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $2,350 out of $5,300. Materials are 54% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Fort Collins?
$3,050 to $7,550. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Fort Collins?
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 Fort Collins area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Collins expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Colorado?
Fort Collins is 0% above the Colorado statewide estimate ($5,300 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Fort Collins?
The BLS median is $30.24 an hour in the Fort Collins area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.63 to $31.00.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Fort Collins?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,050 to $4,850 and premium work $5,750 to $7,550. 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 Fort Collins?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September 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 Fort Collins?
$620 to $1,250 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Fort Collins
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.