Asphalt driveway cost in Des Moines, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,000 – $7,450
- Per sq ft
- $4.95 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #132
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an asphalt driveway in the Des Moines area: $3,000 to $7,450 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 lands close to the US figure. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $29.38 an hour in the Des Moines area, 15% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Des Moines, IA, standard level
$4,350 to $6,100
About $7.10 to $9.95 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 Des Moines, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,700 | 53% |
| Labor | $1,100 | $2,300 | $3,550 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $180 | 2% |
| Total | $3,000 | $5,200 | $7,450 | 100% |
Why Des Moines 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, Des Moines wages are 1.09 times the national level. Labor makes up about 44% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Des Moines is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $2,800 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.7: $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 Des Moines. The wage table below marks each row.
Is Des Moines cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Des Moines. Omaha is the lowest at about $4,900 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 120 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IAthis page | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,200 | |
| Waterloo, IA95 miles | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +7% |
| Iowa City, IA110 miles | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −1% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA115 miles | $3,000 – $7,400 | $5,200 | level |
| Omaha, NE120 miles | $2,850 – $6,950 | $4,900 | −6% |
| Sioux City, IA145 miles | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −1% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Des Moines ranks #132 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Des Moines is 1% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $3,000 – $7,400 | $5,200 | level |
| 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 |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Des Moines against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $3,400 – $8,500 | $5,950 | +14% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,800 | −8% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $2,800 – $6,750 | $4,800 | −8% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −9% |
Why two Des Moines 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.
Related projects, priced for Des Moines
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Des Moines wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+5%) and concrete slab lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,350 | +1% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,150 – $5,750 | +5% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,100 | −2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $4,000 | −1% |
Who does the work: Des Moines 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 Des Moines the blend is 1.09.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Des Moines 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.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $24.03 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.67 and $28.91 an hour. BLS counts 3,510 of them working in the area, 86.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $30.10 an hour, 5% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.03 and $37.62 an hour. About 1,260 work in the metro. That is 31.2 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 $0 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $65. That is a swing of roughly 1.2% to 0.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Des Moines-West Des Moines has 404,130 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 64th 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% | $27.45 | $29.38 | $29.39 | $25.64 | 1.15 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.67 | $24.03 | $28.91 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $28.03 | $30.10 | $37.62 | $28.78 | 1.05 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
Extras that change the Des Moines total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.01 for Des Moines, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.09) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $610 – $1,200 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: asphalt driveway pricing in Des Moines
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Des Moines. 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
$3,000 to $4,800
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 $7,450
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 – $2,550 | $2,350 – $3,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,000 – $3,200 | $2,900 – $4,100 | $3,800 – $5,000 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $4,800 | $4,350 – $6,100 | $5,650 – $7,450 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,000 – $7,900 | $7,150 – $10,100 | $9,350 – $12,300 |
The best months for asphalt driveway in Des Moines
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Des Moines Intl 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 Des Moines are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, 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 128 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Des Moines gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 22 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 | 31 | 14 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 36 | 18 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 49 | 30 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 62 | 41 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 52 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 62 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 66 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 55 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 30 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 20 | 1.6 | Cold |
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Detailed asphalt driveway report for Des Moines, IA, $9
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Asphalt driveway in Des Moines: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Des Moines?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,000 to $7,450 in the Des Moines 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 Des Moines?
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 Des Moines or Waterloo?
Waterloo is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,600, which is 7% more than Des Moines ($5,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Des Moines?
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 Des Moines?
$3,000 to $7,450. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Des Moines?
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 Des Moines area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Des Moines expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Iowa?
Des Moines 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 Des Moines?
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 Des Moines?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,000 to $4,800 and premium work $5,650 to $7,450. 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 Des Moines?
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 Des Moines?
$610 to $1,200 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Des Moines
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.