Asphalt driveway cost in Eau Claire, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,200 – $8,000
- Per sq ft
- $5.25 – $13
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #69
- 1 = most expensive
An asphalt driveway in Eau Claire, WI usually costs $3,200 to $8,000 for 600 sq ft. That works out to about $5.25 to $13 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $380 more. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $33.18 an hour in the Eau Claire area, 29% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI, standard level
$4,650 to $6,550
About $7.60 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,150 |
| Labor | $2,150 | $3,250 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $140 |
| Total | $4,650 | $6,550 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,700 | 50% |
| Labor | $1,300 | $2,700 | $4,100 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $3,200 | $5,600 | $8,000 | 100% |
Why Eau Claire prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $33.18 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Eau Claire is 1.27 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 48% of the total. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Eau Claire 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 92.8: $45 to $190.
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 Eau Claire. The wage table below marks each row.
Eau Claire against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
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 $5,500 to $6,050 across Eau Claire and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WIthis page | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | |
| Wausau, WI75 miles | $3,250 – $8,150 | $5,700 | +1% |
| Rochester, MN85 miles | $3,350 – $8,500 | $5,900 | +6% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,550 | −1% |
| Minneapolis, MN100 miles | $3,450 – $8,650 | $6,050 | +8% |
| Oshkosh, WI140 miles | $3,150 – $7,900 | $5,500 | −1% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | level |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −7% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Eau Claire ranks #69 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Eau Claire is 0% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $3,300 – $8,400 | $5,850 | +5% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $3,400 – $8,700 | $6,050 | +8% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −6% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $3,300 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $3,150 – $7,900 | $5,500 | −1% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,550 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Eau Claire against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −17% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −15% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −6% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,550 | −1% |
Eau Claire 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, Eau Claire Rgnl 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 Eau Claire 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 163 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Eau Claire gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 55 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.1 and 2.5 inches. The station averages about 10 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 | 23 | 6 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 28 | 9 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 21 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 33 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 45 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 56 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 58 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 49 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 37 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 25 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 13 | 1.4 | Cold |
What local crews earn in Eau Claire
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 Eau Claire the blend is 1.27.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Eau Claire metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $33.18 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $24.22 and $43.86 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $28.00 an hour, which is 24% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.33 and $36.35 an hour. BLS counts 640 of them working in the area, 74.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $36.53 an hour, 27% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.77 and $45.13 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 30.2 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 $350 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $300. That is a swing of roughly 5.3% to 6.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Eau Claire has 86,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 226th 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% | $24.22 | $33.18 | $43.86 | $25.64 | 1.29 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.33 | $28.00 | $36.35 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.77 | $36.53 | $45.13 | $28.78 | 1.27 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.27 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Eau Claire
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Eau Claire. 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
$3,200 to $5,100
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,650 to $6,550
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$6,100 to $8,000
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,300 – $2,100 | $1,900 – $2,700 | $2,500 – $3,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,150 – $3,450 | $3,100 – $4,450 | $4,100 – $5,400 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,100 | $4,650 – $6,550 | $6,100 – $8,000 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,300 – $8,450 | $7,700 – $10,800 | $10,100 – $13,200 |
What nearby projects cost in Eau Claire
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Eau Claire wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+15%) and concrete slab lowest (+2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,900 | +7% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,750 – $11,100 | +9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +10% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +15% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,250 | +2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,200 | +4% |
Optional extras in Eau Claire
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.10 for Eau Claire, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.27) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $660 – $1,300 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Eau Claire 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.
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 $4,650 to $6,550 for Eau Claire, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the asphalt driveway numbers for Eau Claire, WI line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Eau Claire: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Eau Claire?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,200 to $8,000 in the Eau Claire area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,650 to $6,550. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Eau Claire?
About $5.25 to $13 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Eau Claire or Wausau?
Wausau is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,700, which is 1% more than Eau Claire ($5,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Eau Claire?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $2,700 out of $5,600. Materials are 50% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Eau Claire?
$3,200 to $8,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Eau Claire?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $190 for fees in the Eau Claire area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Eau Claire expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Eau Claire is 0% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($5,600 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Eau Claire?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $33.18 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.22 to $43.86.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Eau Claire?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,200 to $5,100 and premium work $6,100 to $8,000. 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 Eau Claire?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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 Eau Claire?
$660 to $1,300 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Eau Claire
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.