Asphalt driveway cost in Austin, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $2,800 – $6,850
- Per sq ft
- $4.65 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #229
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an asphalt driveway in the Austin area: $2,800 to $6,850 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 8% lower than the US figure. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $23.42 an hour in the Austin area, 9% below the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Austin, TX, standard level
$4,050 to $5,650
About $6.55 to $9.10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 40% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,150 |
| Labor | $1,500 | $2,300 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $150 |
| Total | $4,050 | $5,650 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Austin, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,700 | 58% |
| Labor | $920 | $1,900 | $2,900 | 40% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 | $200 | 3% |
| Total | $2,800 | $4,850 | $6,850 | 100% |
Where the Austin 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 Austin the blended ratio comes out at 0.90.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Austin is at 93.8 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 98.1: $50 to $200.
Who does the work: Austin 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 Austin the blend is 0.90.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071), 40% of the weighting: a median of $23.42 an hour, 9% below the US median of $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $21.62 and $28.74 an hour. About 500 work in the metro. That is 3.9 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 $21.16 an hour, which is 7% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.34 and $23.12 an hour. BLS counts 11,140 of them working in the area, 86.1 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 $24.50 an hour, 15% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.09 and $29.38 an hour. About 5,010 work in the metro. That is 38.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $180 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $60. That is a swing of roughly 1.2% to 3.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos has 1,293,690 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 24th 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% | $21.62 | $23.42 | $28.74 | $25.64 | 0.91 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.34 | $21.16 | $23.12 | $22.66 | 0.93 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $23.09 | $24.50 | $29.38 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.90 | |||||
Add-ons priced for Austin
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.92 for Austin, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.90) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $550 – $1,100 |
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in Austin
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).
Related projects, priced for Austin
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Austin wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−5%) and concrete driveway lowest (−10%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,250 | −10% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,350 | −8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,200 | −5% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $1,950 | −7% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,800 | −8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,650 | −9% |
Austin against nearby metros and the rest of Texas
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 $4,600 to $4,950 across Austin and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TXthis page | $2,800 – $6,850 | $4,850 | |
| Killeen, TX65 miles | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,650 | −3% |
| College Station, TX75 miles | $2,700 – $6,500 | $4,600 | −5% |
| San Antonio, TX80 miles | $2,750 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −2% |
| Waco, TX95 miles | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −4% |
| Houston, TX140 miles | $2,950 – $7,000 | $4,950 | +3% |
| Texas (statewide) | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,900 | +1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Austin ranks #229 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Austin is 1% below the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $3,000 – $7,250 | $5,100 | +6% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $2,950 – $7,000 | $4,950 | +3% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $2,750 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −2% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $2,650 – $6,350 | $4,500 | −7% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $2,650 – $6,250 | $4,450 | −8% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $2,750 – $6,500 | $4,600 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Austin against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | 1,341,320 jobs | $3,450 – $8,700 | $6,050 | +26% |
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $3,450 – $8,500 | $5,950 | +24% |
| Baltimore, MD | 1,356,680 jobs | $3,150 – $7,650 | $5,400 | +12% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | +7% |
The best months for asphalt driveway in Austin
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Austin-Camp Mabry (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 Austin are October through May: 8 of 12. Outside them, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Austin gets about 36 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and October (5.0 inches in May). Inside the workable window, February and April are the driest, at 1.9 and 2.4 inches. The station averages about 123 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 | 63 | 42 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 46 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 52 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 80 | 59 | 2.4 | Workable |
| May | 87 | 67 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 93 | 73 | 3.7 | Hot |
| Jul | 97 | 75 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 98 | 75 | 2.7 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 70 | 3.5 | Hot |
| Oct | 83 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 72 | 51 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 43 | 2.7 | Workable |
Austin: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Austin. 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
$2,800 to $4,450
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,050 to $5,650
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,250 to $6,850
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,150 – $1,850 | $1,650 – $2,350 | $2,150 – $2,850 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,900 – $3,000 | $2,700 – $3,800 | $3,550 – $4,600 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $4,450 | $4,050 – $5,650 | $5,250 – $6,850 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $4,650 – $7,300 | $6,650 – $9,300 | $8,600 – $11,200 |
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 $4,050 to $5,650 for Austin, TX is attached.
Detailed asphalt driveway report for Austin, TX, $9
Multi-page report for Austin, TX: 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 Austin: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Austin?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,800 to $6,850 in the Austin area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,050 to $5,650. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Austin?
About $4.65 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $200 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Austin or Killeen?
Killeen is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,650, which is 3% less than Austin ($4,850). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Austin?
About 40% at the midpoint, or $1,900 out of $4,850. Materials are 58% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Austin?
$2,800 to $6,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Austin?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $200 for fees in the Austin area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Austin expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Texas?
Austin is 1% below the Texas statewide estimate ($4,900 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Austin?
The BLS median is $23.42 an hour in the Austin area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.62 to $28.74.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Austin?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $2,800 to $4,450 and premium work $5,250 to $6,850. 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 Austin?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through May. February and April 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 Austin?
$550 to $1,100 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Austin
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.