Asphalt driveway cost in Burlington, VT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,050 – $7,400
- Per sq ft
- $4.95 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #135
- 1 = most expensive
An asphalt driveway in Burlington, VT usually costs $3,050 to $7,400 for 600 sq ft. That works out to about $4.95 to $12 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 3% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 97.3).
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Burlington, VT, standard level
$4,350 to $6,100
About $7.05 to $9.90 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $1,750 | $2,650 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $160 |
| Total | $4,350 | $6,100 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Burlington, VT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $2,900 | $3,850 | 55% |
| Labor | $1,050 | $2,200 | $3,350 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $130 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,200 | $7,400 | 100% |
Where the Burlington price comes from
Labor is 42% 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 Burlington the blended ratio comes out at 1.03. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Vermont statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Burlington is at 97.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $2,900 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 100.9: $50 to $200.
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 Burlington. The wage table below marks each row.
Burlington weather and the asphalt driveway calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Burlington Intl Ap (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 Burlington are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, November 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 145 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Burlington gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 88 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and October (4.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and August are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.5 inches. The station averages about 8 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 | 29 | 13 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 32 | 14 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 24 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 48 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 57 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 61 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 32 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 35 | 21 | 2.5 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Burlington bid
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).
Sealcoating
Sealing is $1-$2 per sq ft and is a maintenance cost, not part of the install.
What local crews earn in Burlington
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 Burlington the blend is 1.03.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Burlington metro, so we used the Vermont statewide median: $26.36 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $24.00 and $29.83 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $24.01 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.00 and $28.38 an hour. BLS counts 460 of them working in the area, 38.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $28.85 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.00 and $30.71 an hour. About 330 work in the metro. That is 27.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $120 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $80. That is a swing of roughly 1.5% to 2.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Burlington-South Burlington has 120,150 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 182nd 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% | $24.00 | $26.36 | $29.83 | $25.64 | 1.03 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $23.00 | $24.01 | $28.38 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $27.00 | $28.85 | $30.71 | $28.78 | 1.00 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Optional extras in Burlington
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.00 for Burlington, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.03) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $600 – $1,200 |
Related projects, priced for Burlington
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Burlington wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+4%) and gravel driveway lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,750 – $9,600 | +4% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,200 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,650 | +3% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | level |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,250 | +2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | +3% |
Cost by quality level and size in Burlington
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Burlington. 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
$3,050 to $4,750
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,350 to $6,100
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,650 to $7,400
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,250 – $2,000 | $1,800 – $2,550 | $2,350 – $3,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,050 – $3,200 | $2,900 – $4,100 | $3,800 – $5,000 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,050 – $4,750 | $4,350 – $6,100 | $5,650 – $7,400 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,000 – $7,900 | $7,150 – $10,000 | $9,300 – $12,200 |
Burlington against nearby metros and the rest of Vermont
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Burlington. Portland comes closest at about $5,250.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, VTthis page | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,200 | |
| Albany, NY140 miles | $3,250 – $8,050 | $5,650 | +8% |
| Manchester, NH140 miles | $3,100 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +2% |
| Utica, NY140 miles | $3,150 – $7,650 | $5,400 | +4% |
| Portland, ME150 miles | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | +1% |
| Pittsfield, MA160 miles | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +3% |
| Vermont (statewide) | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Burlington ranks #135 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Burlington is 1% above the Vermont figure.
Burlington is the only Vermont metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Burlington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | 120,480 jobs | $3,050 – $7,450 | $5,250 | +1% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | −7% |
| Ocala, FL | 120,980 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −9% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | +1% |
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 $4,350 to $6,100 for Burlington, VT is attached.
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Asphalt driveway in Burlington: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Burlington?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,050 to $7,400 in the Burlington area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,350 to $6,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Burlington?
About $4.95 to $12 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 Burlington or Albany?
Albany is 140 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,650, which is 8% more than Burlington ($5,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Burlington?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $2,200 out of $5,200. Materials are 55% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Burlington?
$3,050 to $7,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Burlington?
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 Burlington area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Burlington expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Vermont?
Burlington is 1% above the Vermont statewide estimate ($5,150 at the midpoint).
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Burlington?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $26.36 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.00 to $29.83.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Burlington?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,050 to $4,750 and premium work $5,650 to $7,400. 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 Burlington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April and August 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 Burlington?
$600 to $1,200 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Burlington
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.