Asphalt driveway cost in El Paso, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $2,650 – $6,350
- Per sq ft
- $4.35 – $10
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −14%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #298
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pave a driveway in El Paso, plan on $2,650 to $6,350 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $4.35 to $10 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 14% lower than the national one. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $18.91 an hour in the El Paso area, 26% below the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in El Paso, TX, standard level
$3,750 to $5,250
About $6.15 to $8.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 36% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,150 |
| Labor | $1,250 | $1,950 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $140 |
| Total | $3,750 | $5,250 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in El Paso, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,700 | 62% |
| Labor | $770 | $1,600 | $2,450 | 36% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $180 | 2% |
| Total | $2,650 | $4,500 | $6,350 | 100% |
Where the El Paso 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, El Paso wages are 0.75 times the national level. Labor makes up about 36% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the El Paso 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 (89.9) and land at $45 to $180.
Optional extras in El Paso
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to El Paso by the average of the local wage index (0.75) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.84. 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 | $510 – $1,000 |
Why two El Paso 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.
Cost by quality level and size in El Paso
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for El Paso 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
$2,650 to $4,150
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$3,750 to $5,250
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$4,850 to $6,350
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,100 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,150 | $2,000 – $2,650 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,800 – $2,800 | $2,550 – $3,550 | $3,300 – $4,300 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,150 | $3,750 – $5,250 | $4,850 – $6,350 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $4,400 – $6,800 | $6,200 – $8,600 | $8,000 – $10,400 |
El Paso 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 El Paso is 0.75 times the national level.
For paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071, weighted 40%) the local median is $18.91 an hour, which is 26% below the national $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $18.27 and $21.54 an hour. BLS counts 110 of them working in the area, 3.2 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 $17.15 an hour, 24% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $15.39 and $19.10 an hour. About 2,140 work in the metro. That is 63.1 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 $21.94 an hour, which is 24% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $18.72 and $26.11 an hour. BLS counts 980 of them working in the area, 28.9 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 ($21.54 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $85. At the 25th percentile ($18.27) it shrinks by about $20. The total moves by 1.9% or 0.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 339,120 jobs in the El Paso area. That makes it the 76th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.22% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $18.27 | $18.91 | $21.54 | $25.64 | 0.74 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $15.39 | $17.15 | $19.10 | $22.66 | 0.76 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $18.72 | $21.94 | $26.11 | $28.78 | 0.76 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.75 | |||||
Climate in El Paso: timing your asphalt driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for El Paso Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in El Paso (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
El Paso gets about 9 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (1.7 inches in August). Inside the workable window, March and April are the driest, at 0.2 and 0.2 inches. The station averages about 117 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 | 59 | 35 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 64 | 39 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 72 | 46 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 80 | 53 | 0.2 | Workable |
| May | 89 | 62 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 97 | 71 | 0.7 | Hot |
| Jul | 96 | 73 | 1.6 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 72 | 1.7 | Hot |
| Sep | 88 | 65 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 54 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 42 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 34 | 0.6 | Workable |
El Paso 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 $4,500 to $4,800 across El Paso and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TXthis page | $2,650 – $6,350 | $4,500 | |
| Las Cruces, NM95 miles | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | +6% |
| Odessa, TX175 miles | $2,800 – $6,800 | $4,800 | +7% |
| Midland, TX210 miles | $2,800 – $6,800 | $4,800 | +7% |
| Lubbock, TX250 miles | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | +3% |
| Albuquerque, NM255 miles | $2,800 – $6,750 | $4,800 | +7% |
| Texas (statewide) | $2,850 – $6,900 | $4,900 | +8% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +16% |
Across 300 US metros, El Paso comes in at #298 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, El Paso is 8% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $3,000 – $7,250 | $5,100 | +14% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $2,950 – $7,000 | $4,950 | +10% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $2,800 – $6,850 | $4,850 | +7% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $2,750 – $6,650 | $4,700 | +5% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $2,650 – $6,250 | $4,450 | −1% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $2,750 – $6,500 | $4,600 | +3% |
Cities with a workforce like El Paso's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is El Paso against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $2,850 – $6,950 | $4,900 | +9% |
| Bakersfield, CA | 338,230 jobs | $3,550 – $8,800 | $6,150 | +37% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $2,950 – $7,150 | $5,050 | +12% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $3,100 – $7,500 | $5,300 | +18% |
Related projects, priced for El Paso
Because every project leans on different trades, El Paso's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete slab runs −15% and concrete driveway −20%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,300 | −20% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,100 – $8,650 | −15% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,500 – $4,550 | −16% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $510 – $1,800 | −15% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,050 – $4,450 | −15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,300 | −17% |
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 $3,750 to $5,250 for El Paso, TX is attached.
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Asphalt driveway in El Paso: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in El Paso?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,650 to $6,350 in the El Paso area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,750 to $5,250. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in El Paso?
About $4.35 to $10 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 El Paso or Las Cruces?
Las Cruces is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,750, which is 6% more than El Paso ($4,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in El Paso?
About 36% at the midpoint, or $1,600 out of $4,500. Materials are 62% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in El Paso?
$2,650 to $6,350. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in El Paso?
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 El Paso area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is El Paso expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Texas?
El Paso is 8% 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 El Paso?
The BLS median is $18.91 an hour in the El Paso area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.27 to $21.54.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in El Paso?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $2,650 to $4,150 and premium work $4,850 to $6,350. 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 El Paso?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. March 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 El Paso?
$510 to $1,000 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near El Paso
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.