Asphalt driveway cost in Gainesville, 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
- #247
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pave a driveway in Gainesville, plan on $2,800 to $6,700 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $4.60 to $11 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% lower than the national one. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $22.16 an hour in the Gainesville area, 14% below the US median of $25.64.
Estimate your asphalt driveway cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Gainesville, GA, standard level
$3,950 to $5,550
About $6.45 to $8.95 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 | $90 | $150 |
| Total | $3,950 | $5,550 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Gainesville, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 60% |
| Labor | $850 | $1,750 | $2,700 | 37% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 | $190 | 3% |
| Total | $2,800 | $4,750 | $6,700 | 100% |
Why Gainesville prices look the way they do
Labor is 37% 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 Gainesville the blended ratio comes out at 0.83. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Gainesville metro is 96.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $2,850, compared with $2,950 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.8) and land at $50 to $190.
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 Gainesville. The wage table below marks each row.
Extras that change the Gainesville total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Gainesville by the average of the local wage index (0.83) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.90. 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 | $540 – $1,100 |
What nearby projects cost in Gainesville
Because every project leans on different trades, Gainesville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete slab runs −10% and concrete driveway −15%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,800 | −15% |
| 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 | $530 – $1,850 | −11% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,700 | −10% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,500 | −12% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: asphalt driveway pricing in Gainesville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Gainesville 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
$2,800 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 |
Climate in Gainesville: timing your asphalt driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Gainesville Gilmer Ap (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for digging, grading and setting material in the ground in Gainesville: 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.
Gainesville gets about 52 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, March and August (5.0 inches in January). The station averages about 35 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 | 51 | 34 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 55 | 36 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 63 | 43 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 72 | 50 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 58 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 66 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 70 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 87 | 69 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 63 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 72 | 52 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 42 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 36 | 4.7 | Workable |
Why two Gainesville 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.
Gainesville labor market for asphalt driveway
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 Gainesville is 0.83 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 Gainesville 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.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $18.40 an hour, 19% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.16 and $22.24 an hour. About 600 work in the metro. That is 57.8 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 $23.24 an hour, which is 19% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $19.92 and $26.20 an hour. BLS counts 300 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 ($23.66 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $50. At the 25th percentile ($18.92) it shrinks by about $110. The total moves by 1.0% or 2.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 103,870 jobs in the Gainesville area. That makes it the 198th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| 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% | $17.16 | $18.40 | $22.24 | $22.66 | 0.81 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $19.92 | $23.24 | $26.20 | $28.78 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
Gainesville against nearby metros and the rest of Georgia
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Gainesville. Dalton is the lowest at about $4,600 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 70 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, GAthis page | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | |
| Athens, GA45 miles | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Atlanta, GA50 miles | $2,900 – $6,950 | $4,950 | +4% |
| Dalton, GA70 miles | $2,750 – $6,500 | $4,600 | −3% |
| Greenville, SC85 miles | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | +2% |
| Macon, GA100 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | level |
| Georgia (statewide) | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,850 | +2% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Gainesville comes in at #247 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, Gainesville is 2% below the Georgia figure.
Other Georgia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $2,900 – $6,950 | $4,950 | +4% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | level |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $2,800 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $2,800 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Gainesville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Gainesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $3,250 – $8,100 | $5,650 | +19% |
| Charleston, WV | 103,450 jobs | $2,950 – $7,150 | $5,050 | +6% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $3,300 – $8,400 | $5,850 | +23% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,900 | +3% |
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 $3,950 to $5,550 for Gainesville, GA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Gainesville, 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 Gainesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Gainesville?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,800 to $6,700 in the Gainesville 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 Gainesville?
About $4.60 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Gainesville or Athens?
Athens is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,700, which is 1% less than Gainesville ($4,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Gainesville?
About 37% at the midpoint, or $1,750 out of $4,750. Materials are 60% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Gainesville?
$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 Gainesville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $190 for fees in the Gainesville area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Gainesville expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Georgia?
Gainesville 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 Gainesville?
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 Gainesville?
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.
+Is there a bad season to pave a driveway in Gainesville?
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 Gainesville?
$540 to $1,100 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Gainesville
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.