Asphalt driveway cost in Idaho Falls, ID
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,150 – $7,750
- Per sq ft
- $5.15 – $12.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #85
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pave a driveway in Idaho Falls, plan on $3,150 to $7,750 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $5.15 to $12.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 4% higher than the national one. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $35.20 an hour in the Idaho Falls area, 37% above 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 Idaho Falls, ID, standard level
$4,500 to $6,350
About $7.40 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $1,950 | $3,000 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $150 |
| Total | $4,500 | $6,350 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Idaho Falls, ID
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,200 | $2,450 | $3,750 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $3,150 | $5,450 | $7,750 | 100% |
Why Idaho Falls 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, Idaho Falls wages are 1.16 times the national level. Labor makes up about 45% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Idaho statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Idaho Falls metro is 96.2 (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 (94.4) and land at $45 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 Idaho Falls. The wage table below marks each row.
Climate in Idaho Falls: timing your asphalt driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Idaho Falls Fanning Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Idaho Falls (5 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, October, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, April, October, 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 182 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Idaho Falls gets about 10 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, May and June (1.6 inches in May). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.5 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 26 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 | 29 | 12 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 16 | 0.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 25 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 31 | 1.0 | Cold |
| May | 67 | 38 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 45 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 49 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 48 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 41 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 31 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Nov | 43 | 22 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 30 | 13 | 0.8 | Cold |
Idaho Falls against nearby metros and the rest of Idaho
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 $5,000 to $5,450 across Idaho Falls and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, IDthis page | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | |
| Logan, UT125 miles | $2,900 – $7,050 | $5,000 | −8% |
| Bozeman, MT145 miles | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −3% |
| Ogden, UT175 miles | $2,900 – $7,100 | $5,000 | −8% |
| Boise, ID190 miles | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | level |
| Salt Lake City, UT210 miles | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,300 | −3% |
| Idaho (statewide) | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | level |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Idaho Falls comes in at #85 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, Idaho Falls is 0% above the Idaho figure.
Other Idaho metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | level |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 72,280 jobs | $3,150 – $7,900 | $5,550 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Idaho Falls's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Idaho Falls against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,900 | −10% |
| Johnson City, TN | 81,690 jobs | $2,750 – $6,500 | $4,600 | −15% |
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $2,900 – $6,950 | $4,900 | −10% |
| Odessa, TX | 80,910 jobs | $2,800 – $6,800 | $4,800 | −12% |
Idaho Falls 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 Idaho Falls is 1.16 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 Idaho Falls metro, so we used the Idaho statewide median: $35.20 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $27.43 and $46.28 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $22.05 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.83 and $26.56 an hour. About 970 work in the metro. That is 118.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $30.73 an hour, which is 7% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $24.14 and $44.52 an hour. BLS counts 470 of them working in the area, 57.4 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 ($46.28 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $370. At the 25th percentile ($27.43) it shrinks by about $260. The total moves by 6.8% or 4.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 81,840 jobs in the Idaho Falls area. That makes it the 233rd 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% | $27.43 | $35.20 | $46.28 | $25.64 | 1.37 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.83 | $22.05 | $26.56 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $24.14 | $30.73 | $44.52 | $28.78 | 1.07 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.16 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Idaho Falls
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Idaho Falls 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
$3,150 to $5,000
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,500 to $6,350
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,900 to $7,750
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,300 – $2,050 | $1,850 – $2,650 | $2,450 – $3,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,100 – $3,350 | $3,050 – $4,300 | $4,000 – $5,250 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $5,000 | $4,500 – $6,350 | $5,900 – $7,750 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,200 – $8,250 | $7,500 – $10,500 | $9,750 – $12,800 |
Extras that change the Idaho Falls total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Idaho Falls by the average of the local wage index (1.16) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 1.06. 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 | $640 – $1,250 |
Related projects, priced for Idaho Falls
Because every project leans on different trades, Idaho Falls's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +1% and concrete driveway −5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,450 – $8,750 | −5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,400 | −1% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | +1% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,350 – $4,950 | −5% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,800 | −5% |
Why two Idaho Falls 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.
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 $4,500 to $6,350 for Idaho Falls, ID is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the asphalt driveway numbers for Idaho Falls, ID 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 Idaho Falls: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Idaho Falls?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,150 to $7,750 in the Idaho Falls area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,500 to $6,350. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Idaho Falls?
About $5.15 to $12.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Idaho Falls or Logan?
Logan is 125 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,000, which is 8% less than Idaho Falls ($5,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Idaho Falls?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $2,450 out of $5,450. Materials are 52% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Idaho Falls?
$3,150 to $7,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Idaho Falls?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $190 for fees in the Idaho Falls area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Idaho Falls expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Idaho?
Idaho Falls is 0% above the Idaho statewide estimate ($5,450 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Idaho; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Idaho Falls?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $35.20 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.43 to $46.28.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Idaho Falls?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,150 to $5,000 and premium work $5,900 to $7,750. 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 Idaho Falls?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. July and August 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 Idaho Falls?
$640 to $1,250 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Idaho Falls
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.