Asphalt driveway cost in La Crosse, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,200 – $7,950
- Per sq ft
- $5.20 – $13
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +6%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #74
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pave a driveway in La Crosse, plan on $3,200 to $7,950 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $5.20 to $13 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% higher than the national one. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $33.18 an hour in the La Crosse area, 29% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in La Crosse, WI, standard level
$4,600 to $6,500
About $7.55 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,150 |
| Labor | $2,100 | $3,200 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $140 |
| Total | $4,600 | $6,500 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in La Crosse, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,700 | 50% |
| Labor | $1,300 | $2,650 | $4,050 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $180 | 2% |
| Total | $3,200 | $5,550 | $7,950 | 100% |
What is behind the La Crosse number
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 La Crosse is 1.25 (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.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the La Crosse 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 (91.8) and land at $45 to $180.
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 La Crosse. The wage table below marks each row.
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in La Crosse
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.
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.
Extras that change the La Crosse total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to La Crosse by the average of the local wage index (1.25) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.09. 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 | $660 – $1,300 |
Related projects, priced for La Crosse
Because every project leans on different trades, La Crosse's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +15% and concrete slab +2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,850 | +7% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 – $11,000 | +8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +10% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +15% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,250 | +2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,150 | +3% |
La Crosse 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 La Crosse is 1.25 times the national level.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the La Crosse 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.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $28.32 an hour, 25% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.49 and $35.41 an hour. About 610 work in the metro. That is 72.3 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 $34.34 an hour, which is 19% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.40 and $44.77 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 14.2 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 ($43.86 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $350. At the 25th percentile ($24.22) it shrinks by about $300. The total moves by 6.4% or 5.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 84,380 jobs in the La Crosse-Onalaska area. That makes it the 228th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| 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% | $22.49 | $28.32 | $35.41 | $22.66 | 1.25 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $28.40 | $34.34 | $44.77 | $28.78 | 1.19 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.25 | |||||
Climate in La Crosse: timing your asphalt driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for La Crosse Wfo (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in La Crosse (7 of 12 months). 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 148 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
La Crosse gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 54 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 4.0 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 3 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 | 24 | 8 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 29 | 13 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 24 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 48 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 60 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 28 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
La Crosse: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for La Crosse 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
$3,200 to $5,100
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,600 to $6,500
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$6,050 to $7,950
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 – $4,400 | $4,050 – $5,350 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,100 | $4,600 – $6,500 | $6,050 – $7,950 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,250 – $8,400 | $7,650 – $10,800 | $10,000 – $13,100 |
La Crosse against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than La Crosse. Dubuque is the lowest at about $5,200 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 85 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WIthis page | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,550 | |
| Rochester, MN65 miles | $3,350 – $8,500 | $5,900 | +6% |
| Dubuque, IA85 miles | $3,000 – $7,400 | $5,200 | −7% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +1% |
| Madison, WI85 miles | $3,400 – $8,700 | $6,050 | +9% |
| Waterloo, IA105 miles | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | level |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | level |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −6% |
Across 300 US metros, La Crosse comes in at #74 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, La Crosse is 0% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| 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 | +9% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | −5% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $3,300 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +5% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $3,150 – $7,900 | $5,500 | −1% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like La Crosse's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is La Crosse against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $2,800 – $6,700 | $4,750 | −15% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | level |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +1% |
| Houma, LA | 83,440 jobs | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | −16% |
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Asphalt driveway in La Crosse: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in La Crosse?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,200 to $7,950 in the La Crosse area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,600 to $6,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in La Crosse?
About $5.20 to $13 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 La Crosse or Rochester?
Rochester is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,900, which is 6% more than La Crosse ($5,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in La Crosse?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $2,650 out of $5,550. Materials are 50% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in La Crosse?
$3,200 to $7,950. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in La Crosse?
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 La Crosse area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is La Crosse expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
La Crosse is 0% below 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 La Crosse?
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 La Crosse?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,200 to $5,100 and premium work $6,050 to $7,950. 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 La Crosse?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. 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 La Crosse?
$660 to $1,300 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near La Crosse
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.