Asphalt driveway cost in Tulsa, OK
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
- $4.55 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #251
- 1 = most expensive
Tulsa homeowners pay roughly $2,800 to $6,700 to pave a driveway at 600 sq ft, or $4.55 to $11 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Tulsa is 9% lower. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $22.48 an hour in the Tulsa area, 12% below the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Tulsa, OK, standard level
$3,950 to $5,550
About $6.45 to $9 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 39% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,150 |
| Labor | $1,450 | $2,250 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $140 |
| Total | $3,950 | $5,550 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Tulsa, OK
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,700 | 59% |
| Labor | $890 | $1,850 | $2,800 | 39% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $180 | 2% |
| Total | $2,800 | $4,750 | $6,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Tulsa number
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, Tulsa wages are 0.87 times the national level. Labor makes up about 39% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Oklahoma statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Tulsa metro is 93.8 (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 (89.2) 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 Tulsa. The wage table below marks each row.
Planning more than one job in Tulsa?
Because every project leans on different trades, Tulsa's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −7% and concrete driveway −13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | −13% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,250 – $9,200 | −10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,050 | −7% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $540 – $1,900 | −9% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,650 | −11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,500 | −12% |
Extras that change the Tulsa total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Tulsa by the average of the local wage index (0.87) and goods index (0.94), 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 |
Cost by quality level and size in Tulsa
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Tulsa 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) | $1,850 – $2,950 | $2,650 – $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 | $4,600 – $7,200 | $6,550 – $9,100 | $8,500 – $11,100 |
When to schedule asphalt driveway in Tulsa
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Tulsa Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through November are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Tulsa (7 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July and August have 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 72 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Tulsa gets about 41 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 9 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (5.7 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.1 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 74 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 | 49 | 28 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 54 | 32 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 63 | 41 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 72 | 50 | 4.4 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 60 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 69 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 94 | 73 | 3.8 | Hot |
| Aug | 93 | 72 | 3.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 63 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 61 | 39 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 51 | 31 | 2.4 | Cold |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Tulsa is 0.87 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 Tulsa metro, so we used the Oklahoma statewide median: $22.48 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.48 and $24.15 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $20.77 an hour, 8% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.11 and $23.29 an hour. About 3,990 work in the metro. That is 87.0 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 $23.28 an hour, which is 19% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.83 and $27.29 an hour. BLS counts 1,530 of them working in the area, 33.4 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 ($24.15 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $55. At the 25th percentile ($21.48) it shrinks by about $35. The total moves by 1.2% or 0.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 458,730 jobs in the Tulsa area. That makes it the 54th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.30% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $21.48 | $22.48 | $24.15 | $25.64 | 0.88 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.11 | $20.77 | $23.29 | $22.66 | 0.92 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.83 | $23.28 | $27.29 | $28.78 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
Tulsa against nearby metros and the rest of Oklahoma
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Joplin is the priciest of the group at $5,250. Fort Smith is the cheapest at $4,450.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa, OKthis page | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | |
| Oklahoma City, OK95 miles | $2,800 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Joplin, MO110 miles | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | +11% |
| Wichita, KS110 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | level |
| Fort Smith, AR110 miles | $2,650 – $6,200 | $4,450 | −7% |
| Fayetteville, AR115 miles | $2,750 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Oklahoma (statewide) | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Tulsa comes in at #251 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, Tulsa is 1% above the Oklahoma figure.
Other Oklahoma metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $2,800 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Tulsa's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Tulsa against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $3,550 – $8,800 | $6,150 | +30% |
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $3,250 – $8,050 | $5,650 | +19% |
| Rochester, NY | 494,280 jobs | $3,100 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +13% |
| Honolulu, HI | 446,380 jobs | $4,200 – $10,900 | $7,550 | +59% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Tulsa bid
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.
Hot-mix price
Hot-mix asphalt is $100-$200 per ton delivered and moves with oil prices (PaveGauge).
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 Tulsa, OK is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Tulsa, OK: 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 Tulsa: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Tulsa?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,800 to $6,700 in the Tulsa 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 Tulsa?
About $4.55 to $11 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 Tulsa or Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,700, which is 1% less than Tulsa ($4,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Tulsa?
About 39% at the midpoint, or $1,850 out of $4,750. Materials are 59% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Tulsa?
$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 Tulsa?
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 Tulsa area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Tulsa expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Oklahoma?
Tulsa is 1% above the Oklahoma statewide estimate ($4,700 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Oklahoma; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Tulsa?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $22.48 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.48 to $24.15.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Tulsa?
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.
+When is the best time to pave a driveway in Tulsa?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through November. March and November 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 Tulsa?
$540 to $1,100 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Tulsa
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.