Asphalt driveway cost in Memphis, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $2,800 – $6,750
- Per sq ft
- $4.60 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #243
- 1 = most expensive
Memphis homeowners pay roughly $2,800 to $6,750 to pave a driveway at 600 sq ft, or $4.60 to $11 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Memphis is 9% lower. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $18.81 an hour in the Memphis area, 27% below the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Memphis, TN, standard level
$4,000 to $5,550
About $6.50 to $9.05 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 38% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $1,450 | $2,200 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $140 |
| Total | $4,000 | $5,550 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Memphis, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 60% |
| Labor | $870 | $1,800 | $2,750 | 38% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $120 | $180 | 2% |
| Total | $2,800 | $4,800 | $6,750 | 100% |
Where the Memphis price comes from
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, Memphis wages are 0.85 times the national level. Labor makes up about 38% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Memphis metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $2,850, compared with $2,950 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.2) and land at $45 to $180.
How Memphis compares
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Memphis. Jonesboro is the lowest at about $4,600 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TNthis page | $2,800 – $6,750 | $4,800 | |
| Jonesboro, AR65 miles | $2,700 – $6,450 | $4,600 | −4% |
| Jackson, TN75 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −1% |
| Little Rock, AR145 miles | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −3% |
| Decatur, AL160 miles | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −2% |
| Clarksville, TN170 miles | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,900 | +2% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $2,850 – $6,800 | $4,800 | +1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Memphis comes in at #243 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, Memphis is 1% below the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $2,900 – $7,050 | $5,000 | +4% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | level |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $2,800 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −2% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | +2% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,900 | +2% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Memphis's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Memphis against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $2,900 – $7,000 | $4,950 | +4% |
| Hartford, CT | 599,770 jobs | $3,350 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +22% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $2,800 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −1% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $2,900 – $7,050 | $5,000 | +4% |
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 Memphis is 0.85 times the national level.
For paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071, weighted 40%) the local median is $18.81 an hour, which is 27% below the national $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $18.38 and $24.56 an hour. BLS counts 200 of them working in the area, 3.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $21.54 an hour, 5% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.31 and $24.40 an hour. About 3,940 work in the metro. That is 64.4 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 $25.90 an hour, which is 10% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.88 and $29.88 an hour. BLS counts 1,140 of them working in the area, 18.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner 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 ($24.56 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $190. At the 25th percentile ($18.38) it shrinks by about $15. The total moves by 4.0% or 0.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 611,670 jobs in the Memphis area. That makes it the 46th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.39% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $18.38 | $18.81 | $24.56 | $25.64 | 0.73 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.31 | $21.54 | $24.40 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.88 | $25.90 | $29.88 | $28.78 | 0.90 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Optional extras in Memphis
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Memphis by the average of the local wage index (0.85) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.91. 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 |
Why two Memphis quotes can differ
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: asphalt driveway pricing in Memphis
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Memphis 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 $4,400
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,000 to $5,550
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,150 to $6,750
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) | $1,900 – $2,950 | $2,700 – $3,750 | $3,500 – $4,550 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $4,400 | $4,000 – $5,550 | $5,150 – $6,750 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $4,650 – $7,250 | $6,600 – $9,200 | $8,550 – $11,100 |
When to schedule asphalt driveway in Memphis
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Memphis Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through June is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Memphis (10 of 12 months). July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Memphis gets about 55 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and December (5.9 inches in April). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.0 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 72 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 | 51 | 33 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 56 | 37 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 44 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 53 | 5.9 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 62 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 70 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 74 | 4.8 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 73 | 3.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 86 | 66 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 54 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 43 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 36 | 5.5 | Workable |
Planning more than one job in Memphis?
Because every project leans on different trades, Memphis's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −3% and concrete driveway −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,400 | −8% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,600 | −6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,300 | −3% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,300 – $4,850 | −7% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,700 | −7% |
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 $4,000 to $5,550 for Memphis, TN is attached.
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Multi-page report for Memphis, TN: 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 Memphis: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Memphis?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,800 to $6,750 in the Memphis area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,000 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 Memphis?
About $4.60 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 Memphis or Jonesboro?
Jonesboro is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,600, which is 4% less than Memphis ($4,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Memphis?
About 38% at the midpoint, or $1,800 out of $4,800. Materials are 60% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Memphis?
$2,800 to $6,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Memphis?
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 Memphis area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Memphis expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Memphis is 1% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($4,800 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Memphis?
The BLS median is $18.81 an hour in the Memphis area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.38 to $24.56.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Memphis?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $2,800 to $4,400 and premium work $5,150 to $6,750. 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 Memphis?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. 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 Memphis?
$540 to $1,100 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Memphis
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.