Asphalt driveway cost in Atlanta, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $2,900 – $6,950
- Per sq ft
- $4.80 – $11.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #192
- 1 = most expensive
Atlanta homeowners pay roughly $2,900 to $6,950 to pave a driveway at 600 sq ft, or $4.80 to $11.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Atlanta is 5% lower. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $22.17 an hour in the Atlanta area, 14% below the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Atlanta, GA, standard level
$4,150 to $5,750
About $6.75 to $9.35 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 37% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,600 | $3,400 |
| Labor | $1,450 | $2,200 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $160 |
| Total | $4,150 | $5,750 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Atlanta, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | 60% |
| Labor | $880 | $1,850 | $2,800 | 37% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $130 | $200 | 3% |
| Total | $2,900 | $4,950 | $6,950 | 100% |
Why Atlanta prices look the way they do
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 $22.17 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Atlanta is 0.86 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 37% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Atlanta metro is 100.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $3,000, compared with $2,950 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.1) and land at $50 to $200.
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 Atlanta is 0.86 times the national level.
For paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071, weighted 40%) the local median is $22.17 an hour, which is 14% below the national $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $20.03 and $24.04 an hour. BLS counts 770 of them working in the area, 2.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.7), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $20.20 an hour, 11% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.61 and $23.07 an hour. About 16,460 work in the metro. That is 57.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $23.77 an hour, which is 17% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.23 and $28.47 an hour. BLS counts 8,360 of them working in the area, 28.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about 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 ($24.04 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $60. At the 25th percentile ($20.03) it shrinks by about $70. The total moves by 1.3% or 1.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,889,670 jobs in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area. That makes it the 8th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.86% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $20.03 | $22.17 | $24.04 | $25.64 | 0.86 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.61 | $20.20 | $23.07 | $22.66 | 0.89 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $22.23 | $23.77 | $28.47 | $28.78 | 0.83 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Is Atlanta cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Atlanta is the priciest of the group. Dalton is the cheapest at $4,600.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GAthis page | $2,900 – $6,950 | $4,950 | |
| Gainesville, GA50 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −4% |
| Athens, GA70 miles | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −5% |
| Macon, GA70 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −4% |
| Dalton, GA80 miles | $2,750 – $6,500 | $4,600 | −6% |
| Warner Robins, GA95 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −4% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,850 | −2% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Atlanta comes in at #192 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, Atlanta is 2% above the Georgia figure.
Other Georgia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −4% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $2,800 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −5% |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $2,800 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −5% |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −4% |
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −5% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Atlanta's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Atlanta against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,300 | +7% |
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $3,050 – $7,250 | $5,150 | +4% |
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $3,200 – $7,800 | $5,500 | +11% |
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $3,350 – $8,400 | $5,850 | +19% |
When to schedule asphalt driveway in Atlanta
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Atlanta Fulton Co Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
August through June is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Atlanta (11 of 12 months). July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Atlanta gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are February, March and July (5.0 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 54 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 | 54 | 34 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 58 | 37 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Mar | 66 | 43 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 50 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 58 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 67 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 70 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 69 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 84 | 63 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 51 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 64 | 41 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 36 | 4.2 | Workable |
Why two Atlanta quotes can differ
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Atlanta
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Atlanta 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
$2,900 to $4,550
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,150 to $5,750
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,350 to $6,950
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,200 – $1,900 | $1,700 – $2,400 | $2,200 – $2,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,950 – $3,050 | $2,800 – $3,900 | $3,600 – $4,700 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $2,900 – $4,550 | $4,150 – $5,750 | $5,350 – $6,950 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $4,850 – $7,500 | $6,800 – $9,500 | $8,800 – $11,500 |
Add-ons priced for Atlanta
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Atlanta by the average of the local wage index (0.86) and goods index (1.00), a factor of 0.93. 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 | $560 – $1,100 |
What nearby projects cost in Atlanta
Because every project leans on different trades, Atlanta's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −5% and concrete driveway −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,200 | −11% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,500 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,200 | −5% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −6% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,900 | −6% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,650 | −8% |
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 $4,150 to $5,750 for Atlanta, GA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Atlanta, GA: 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 Atlanta: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Atlanta?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,900 to $6,950 in the Atlanta area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,150 to $5,750. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Atlanta?
About $4.80 to $11.50 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 Atlanta or Gainesville?
Gainesville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,750, which is 4% less than Atlanta ($4,950). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Atlanta?
About 37% at the midpoint, or $1,850 out of $4,950. Materials are 60% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Atlanta?
$2,900 to $6,950. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Atlanta?
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 Atlanta area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Atlanta expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Georgia?
Atlanta is 2% above the Georgia statewide estimate ($4,850 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Georgia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Atlanta?
The BLS median is $22.17 an hour in the Atlanta area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.03 to $24.04.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Atlanta?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $2,900 to $4,550 and premium work $5,350 to $6,950. 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 Atlanta?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. 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 Atlanta?
$560 to $1,100 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Atlanta
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.