Asphalt driveway cost in Augusta, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $2,800 – $6,700
- Per sq ft
- $4.60 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #249
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an asphalt driveway in the Augusta area: $2,800 to $6,700 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 9% lower than the US figure. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $22.16 an hour in the Augusta area, 14% below the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Augusta, GA, standard level
$3,950 to $5,550
About $6.45 to $9 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 37% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $1,400 | $2,150 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $140 |
| Total | $3,950 | $5,550 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Augusta, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 60% |
| Labor | $850 | $1,800 | $2,700 | 37% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $180 | 2% |
| Total | $2,800 | $4,750 | $6,700 | 100% |
Why Augusta prices look the way they do
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, Augusta wages are 0.83 times the national level. Labor makes up about 37% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Augusta is at 96.3 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 91.9: $45 to $180.
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 Augusta. The wage table below marks each row.
Why two Augusta quotes can differ
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.
Planning more than one job in Augusta?
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Augusta wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete slab comes out highest (−9%) and concrete driveway lowest (−13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $8,000 | −13% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,200 – $9,050 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,850 | −11% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $540 – $1,900 | −10% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,750 | −9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,550 | −11% |
Optional extras in Augusta
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.90 for Augusta, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.83) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $540 – $1,100 |
Who does the work: Augusta 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 Augusta the blend is 0.83.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Augusta metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $22.16 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.92 and $23.66 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $18.62 an hour, which is 18% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.43 and $23.02 an hour. BLS counts 1,630 of them working in the area, 70.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $23.17 an hour, 19% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $20.95 and $27.82 an hour. About 670 work in the metro. That is 28.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $50 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $110. That is a swing of roughly 2.3% to 1.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Augusta-Richmond County has 231,930 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 106th 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% | $18.92 | $22.16 | $23.66 | $25.64 | 0.86 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $16.43 | $18.62 | $23.02 | $22.66 | 0.82 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $20.95 | $23.17 | $27.82 | $28.78 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
The best months for asphalt driveway in Augusta
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Augusta Daniel Fld Ap (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 Augusta are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Augusta gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.0 inches in August). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 80 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 | 58 | 40 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 43 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 69 | 49 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 78 | 56 | 2.9 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 64 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 71 | 4.7 | Hot |
| Jul | 94 | 74 | 4.8 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 73 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 69 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 58 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 68 | 48 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 60 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
Is Augusta cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Augusta. Athens is the lowest at about $4,700 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 80 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta, GAthis page | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | |
| Columbia, SC70 miles | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,800 | +1% |
| Athens, GA80 miles | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Greenville, SC90 miles | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | +2% |
| Spartanburg, SC95 miles | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,800 | +1% |
| Hilton Head, SC100 miles | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,900 | +3% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,850 | +2% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Augusta ranks #249 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Augusta is 2% below the Georgia figure.
Elsewhere in Georgia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $2,900 – $6,950 | $4,950 | +4% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $2,800 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $2,800 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | level |
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Augusta against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJ | 240,190 jobs | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +18% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 225,520 jobs | $3,350 – $8,500 | $5,900 | +24% |
| Palm Bay, FL | 245,170 jobs | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | +2% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,850 | +3% |
Cost by quality level and size in Augusta
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Augusta. 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
$2,800 to $4,350
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$3,950 to $5,550
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,150 to $6,700
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,150 – $1,800 | $1,650 – $2,300 | $2,150 – $2,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,900 – $2,950 | $2,700 – $3,750 | $3,450 – $4,550 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $4,350 | $3,950 – $5,550 | $5,150 – $6,700 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $4,650 – $7,200 | $6,550 – $9,100 | $8,500 – $11,000 |
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Asphalt driveway in Augusta: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Augusta?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,800 to $6,700 in the Augusta area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,950 to $5,550. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Augusta?
About $4.60 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $180 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Augusta or Columbia?
Columbia is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,800, which is 1% more than Augusta ($4,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Augusta?
About 37% at the midpoint, or $1,800 out of $4,750. Materials are 60% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Augusta?
$2,800 to $6,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Augusta?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $180 for fees in the Augusta area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Augusta expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Georgia?
Augusta is 2% below 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 Augusta?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $22.16 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.92 to $23.66.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Augusta?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $2,800 to $4,350 and premium work $5,150 to $6,700. 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 Augusta?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. October and November 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 Augusta?
$540 to $1,100 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Augusta
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.