Asphalt driveway cost in Cedar Rapids, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,000 – $7,400
- Per sq ft
- $4.95 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #136
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pave a driveway in Cedar Rapids, plan on $3,000 to $7,400 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $4.95 to $12 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Cedar Rapids, IA, standard level
$4,350 to $6,100
About $7.05 to $9.90 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,150 |
| Labor | $1,850 | $2,800 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $140 |
| Total | $4,350 | $6,100 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,700 | 53% |
| Labor | $1,100 | $2,300 | $3,500 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $180 | 2% |
| Total | $3,000 | $5,200 | $7,400 | 100% |
Where the Cedar Rapids price comes from
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 $29.38 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Cedar Rapids is 1.09 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 44% of the total. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Cedar Rapids metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $2,800, compared with $2,950 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (89.0) and land at $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 Cedar Rapids. The wage table below marks each row.
Pick a size, pick a tier: asphalt driveway pricing in Cedar Rapids
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Cedar Rapids 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
$3,000 to $4,750
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,350 to $6,100
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,650 to $7,400
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,250 – $1,950 | $1,800 – $2,500 | $2,350 – $3,050 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,000 – $3,200 | $2,900 – $4,100 | $3,800 – $5,000 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $4,750 | $4,350 – $6,100 | $5,650 – $7,400 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,000 – $7,900 | $7,150 – $10,100 | $9,350 – $12,200 |
Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids is 1.09 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 Cedar Rapids metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $29.38 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $27.45 and $29.39 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $23.40 an hour, 3% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.73 and $28.57 an hour. About 990 work in the metro. That is 71.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $30.44 an hour, which is 6% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.00 and $35.30 an hour. BLS counts 490 of them working in the area, 35.2 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 ($29.39 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $0. At the 25th percentile ($27.45) it shrinks by about $65. The total moves by 0.0% or 1.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 139,260 jobs in the Cedar Rapids area. That makes it the 160th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.09% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $27.45 | $29.38 | $29.39 | $25.64 | 1.15 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $21.73 | $23.40 | $28.57 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $28.00 | $30.44 | $35.30 | $28.78 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
How Cedar Rapids compares
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Waterloo is the priciest of the group at $5,600. Iowa City is the cheapest at $5,150.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IAthis page | $3,000 – $7,400 | $5,200 | |
| Iowa City, IA40 miles | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −1% |
| Dubuque, IA45 miles | $3,000 – $7,400 | $5,200 | level |
| Waterloo, IA55 miles | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +7% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +2% |
| La Crosse, WI115 miles | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,550 | +7% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | level |
Across 300 US metros, Cedar Rapids comes in at #136 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, Cedar Rapids is 1% above the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,200 | level |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +2% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −1% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +7% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −1% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $3,000 – $7,400 | $5,200 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Cedar Rapids's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Cedar Rapids against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $2,900 – $7,100 | $5,000 | −4% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $3,350 – $8,450 | $5,900 | +13% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $3,650 – $9,250 | $6,450 | +24% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $3,100 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +3% |
Extras that change the Cedar Rapids total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Cedar Rapids by the average of the local wage index (1.09) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.01. 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 | $610 – $1,200 |
What nearby projects cost in Cedar Rapids
Because every project leans on different trades, Cedar Rapids's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +1% and concrete slab −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,600 – $9,200 | level |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,500 | +1% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,050 | −3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,900 | −2% |
Climate in Cedar Rapids: timing your asphalt driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Cedar Rapids Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Cedar Rapids (7 of 12 months). 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 144 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Cedar Rapids gets about 36 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 28 | 11 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 33 | 16 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 27 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 60 | 38 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 50 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 60 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 63 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 60 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 52 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 28 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 33 | 17 | 1.6 | Cold |
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in Cedar Rapids
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.
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 $4,350 to $6,100 for Cedar Rapids, IA is attached.
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Asphalt driveway in Cedar Rapids: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Cedar Rapids?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,000 to $7,400 in the Cedar Rapids area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,350 to $6,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Cedar Rapids?
About $4.95 to $12 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 Cedar Rapids or Iowa City?
Iowa City is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,150, which is 1% less than Cedar Rapids ($5,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Cedar Rapids?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $2,300 out of $5,200. Materials are 53% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Cedar Rapids?
$3,000 to $7,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Cedar Rapids?
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 Cedar Rapids area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Cedar Rapids expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Iowa?
Cedar Rapids is 1% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($5,150 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Cedar Rapids?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $29.38 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.45 to $29.39.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Cedar Rapids?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,000 to $4,750 and premium work $5,650 to $7,400. 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 Cedar Rapids?
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 Cedar Rapids?
$610 to $1,200 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Cedar Rapids
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.