Asphalt driveway cost in Altoona, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,000 – $7,300
- Per sq ft
- $4.95 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #144
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pave a driveway in Altoona, plan on $3,000 to $7,300 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. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $26.93 an hour in the Altoona area, 5% 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 Altoona, PA, standard level
$4,300 to $6,000
About $7.05 to $9.80 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 40% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,600 | $3,400 |
| Labor | $1,650 | $2,500 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $140 |
| Total | $4,300 | $6,000 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Altoona, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | 58% |
| Labor | $990 | $2,050 | $3,150 | 40% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $180 | 2% |
| Total | $3,000 | $5,150 | $7,300 | 100% |
Where the Altoona price comes from
Labor is 40% of the midpoint bill here, against 41% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (40%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Altoona the blended ratio comes out at 0.97. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Pennsylvania statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Altoona metro is 100.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $3,000, compared with $2,950 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (89.5) 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 Altoona. The wage table below marks each row.
Altoona against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
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 $5,400 across Altoona and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PAthis page | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | |
| State College, PA35 miles | $3,150 – $7,650 | $5,400 | +4% |
| Chambersburg, PA50 miles | $3,050 – $7,450 | $5,250 | +2% |
| Harrisburg, PA65 miles | $3,100 – $7,500 | $5,300 | +3% |
| Hagerstown, MD65 miles | $2,950 – $7,100 | $5,000 | −3% |
| Pittsburgh, PA80 miles | $3,050 – $7,450 | $5,250 | +2% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,300 | +2% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +1% |
Across 300 US metros, Altoona comes in at #144 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, Altoona is 2% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,300 | +2% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $3,050 – $7,450 | $5,250 | +2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $3,100 – $7,550 | $5,350 | +3% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $3,100 – $7,500 | $5,300 | +3% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $3,100 – $7,500 | $5,300 | +3% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $3,100 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +4% |
Cities with a workforce like Altoona's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Altoona against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $3,200 – $7,850 | $5,500 | +7% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $3,000 – $7,400 | $5,200 | +1% |
| Niles, MI | 59,970 jobs | $2,900 – $7,150 | $5,050 | −2% |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −9% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: asphalt driveway pricing in Altoona
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Altoona 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
$4,300 to $6,000
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,600 to $7,300
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,250 – $1,950 | $1,750 – $2,500 | $2,300 – $3,050 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,050 – $3,200 | $2,900 – $4,050 | $3,750 – $4,900 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $4,750 | $4,300 – $6,000 | $5,600 – $7,300 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,000 – $7,800 | $7,100 – $9,950 | $9,250 – $12,000 |
Related projects, priced for Altoona
Because every project leans on different trades, Altoona's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +7% and concrete driveway −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,750 | −4% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,400 – $9,750 | −4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,800 | +7% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −4% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,050 | −3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,800 | −4% |
Why two Altoona quotes can differ
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.
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.
Altoona 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 Altoona is 0.97 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 Altoona metro, so we used the Pennsylvania statewide median: $26.93 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.42 and $30.58 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $22.03 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.45 and $24.02 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 59.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $24.42 an hour, which is 15% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.52 and $27.36 an hour. BLS counts 230 of them working in the area, 39.2 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 ($30.58 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $120. At the 25th percentile ($23.42) it shrinks by about $120. The total moves by 2.4% or 2.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 58,650 jobs in the Altoona area. That makes it the 291st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $23.42 | $26.93 | $30.58 | $25.64 | 1.05 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.45 | $22.03 | $24.02 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $23.52 | $24.42 | $27.36 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
Add-ons priced for Altoona
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Altoona by the average of the local wage index (0.97) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 0.99. 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 | $590 – $1,200 |
Climate in Altoona: timing your asphalt driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Altoona 3 W (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Altoona (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March 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.
Altoona gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 38 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and September (4.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.8 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 34 | 19 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 20 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 28 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 49 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 57 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 33 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 24 | 3.4 | Cold |
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 $4,300 to $6,000 for Altoona, PA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Altoona, PA: 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 Altoona: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Altoona?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,000 to $7,300 in the Altoona area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,300 to $6,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Altoona?
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 Altoona or State College?
State College is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,400, which is 4% more than Altoona ($5,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Altoona?
About 40% at the midpoint, or $2,050 out of $5,150. Materials are 58% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Altoona?
$3,000 to $7,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Altoona?
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 Altoona area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Altoona expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Altoona is 2% below the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($5,300 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Altoona?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $26.93 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.42 to $30.58.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Altoona?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,000 to $4,750 and premium work $5,600 to $7,300. 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 Altoona?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. April 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 Altoona?
$590 to $1,200 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Altoona
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.