Asphalt driveway cost in St. Louis, MO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,450 – $8,700
- Per sq ft
- $5.70 – $14
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +16%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #33
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an asphalt driveway in the St. Louis area: $3,450 to $8,700 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 16% higher than the US figure. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $36.93 an hour in the St. Louis area, 44% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in St. Louis, MO, standard level
$5,000 to $7,100
About $8.20 to $11.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,550 | $3,350 |
| Labor | $2,350 | $3,600 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $150 |
| Total | $5,000 | $7,100 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in St. Louis, MO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,000 | $2,950 | $3,950 | 49% |
| Labor | $1,450 | $3,000 | $4,550 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $3,450 | $6,050 | $8,700 | 100% |
Where the St. Louis 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 $36.93 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for St. Louis is 1.40 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. St. Louis is at 100.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $2,950 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 95.1: $50 to $190.
St. Louis: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to St. Louis. 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
$3,450 to $5,550
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$5,000 to $7,100
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$6,600 to $8,700
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,400 – $2,300 | $2,050 – $2,950 | $2,700 – $3,600 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,300 – $3,750 | $3,400 – $4,800 | $4,450 – $5,850 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,450 – $5,550 | $5,000 – $7,100 | $6,600 – $8,700 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,750 – $9,150 | $8,300 – $11,800 | $10,900 – $14,300 |
Specs and site conditions that change a St. Louis bid
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.
Base work
Four to eight inches of compacted aggregate under the asphalt is where cheap quotes cut corners. Base typically runs $1-$3 per sq ft.
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.
St. Louis against nearby metros and the rest of Missouri
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. St. Louis is the priciest of the group. Columbia is the cheapest at $5,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MOthis page | $3,450 – $8,700 | $6,050 | |
| Springfield, IL85 miles | $3,350 – $8,450 | $5,900 | −3% |
| Jefferson City, MO95 miles | $3,100 – $7,750 | $5,450 | −11% |
| Columbia, MO120 miles | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | −11% |
| Bloomington, IL145 miles | $3,350 – $8,500 | $5,900 | −3% |
| Peoria, IL150 miles | $3,300 – $8,350 | $5,850 | −4% |
| Missouri (statewide) | $3,150 – $7,850 | $5,500 | −9% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −14% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, St. Louis ranks #33 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, St. Louis is 10% above the Missouri figure.
Elsewhere in Missouri
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −12% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,850 | −20% |
| Columbia, MO | 107,680 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | −11% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −13% |
| Jefferson City, MO | 80,220 jobs | $3,100 – $7,750 | $5,450 | −11% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is St. Louis against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | 1,356,680 jobs | $3,150 – $7,650 | $5,400 | −11% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $2,800 – $6,850 | $4,850 | −20% |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $2,900 – $6,950 | $4,900 | −19% |
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $3,450 – $8,500 | $5,950 | −2% |
Who does the work: St. Louis 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 St. Louis the blend is 1.40.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071), 40% of the weighting: a median of $36.93 an hour, 44% above the US median of $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $25.27 and $45.41 an hour. About 480 work in the metro. That is 3.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $31.01 an hour, which is 37% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.00 and $39.22 an hour. BLS counts 8,670 of them working in the area, 64.6 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 $39.56 an hour, 37% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.17 and $45.31 an hour. About 4,190 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 $280 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $390. That is a swing of roughly 6.4% to 4.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
St. Louis has 1,341,320 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 23rd 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% | $25.27 | $36.93 | $45.41 | $25.64 | 1.44 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $23.00 | $31.01 | $39.22 | $22.66 | 1.37 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $28.17 | $39.56 | $45.31 | $28.78 | 1.37 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.40 | |||||
The best months for asphalt driveway in St. Louis
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, St Louis Sci Ctr (in the city). 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 St. Louis are March through June and August through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F), and July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February 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 79 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
St. Louis gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 47 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 | 41 | 25 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 46 | 28 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 38 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 68 | 48 | 4.8 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 59 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 67 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 72 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 70 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 82 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 50 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 39 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 45 | 30 | 2.6 | Cold |
Extras that change the St. Louis total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.20 for St. Louis, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.40) and goods price index (1.00). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $720 – $1,450 |
Planning more than one job in St. Louis?
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same St. Louis wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+18%) and concrete slab lowest (+9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,150 – $10,700 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $12,000 | +18% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | +15% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +15% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,650 | +9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,500 | +12% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed asphalt driveway report for St. Louis, MO, $9
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Asphalt driveway in St. Louis: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in St. Louis?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,450 to $8,700 in the St. Louis area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,000 to $7,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in St. Louis?
About $5.70 to $14 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 St. Louis or Springfield?
Springfield is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,900, which is 3% less than St. Louis ($6,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in St. Louis?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $3,000 out of $6,050. Materials are 49% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in St. Louis?
$3,450 to $8,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in St. Louis?
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 St. Louis area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is St. Louis expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Missouri?
St. Louis is 10% above the Missouri statewide estimate ($5,500 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Missouri; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in St. Louis?
The BLS median is $36.93 an hour in the St. Louis area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.27 to $45.41.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in St. Louis?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,450 to $5,550 and premium work $6,600 to $8,700. 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 St. Louis?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and August through November. 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 St. Louis?
$720 to $1,450 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near St. Louis
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.