Asphalt Driveway Cost in Missouri: Local Pricing

What Missouri Homeowners Really Pay for a New Asphalt Driveway

The first question most homeowners ask is, “How much will an asphalt driveway cost in Missouri?” The short answer: most pay between $3.80 and $6.50 per square foot for a complete install. On an average 600 sq ft two-car driveway, that’s $2,300–$3,900. The range is wide because Missouri’s mix of urban, suburban, and rural markets—plus freeze-thaw cycles in the north and heavier clay soils in the Ozarks—changes what your contractor has to do.

Below you’ll find real 2024 pricing from Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, and mid-size towns like Columbia and Joplin. We’ll also show you how to shave 10–15 % off the bid without cutting quality, and red flags that scream “cheap now, expensive later.”

2024 Asphalt Driveway Cost in Missouri (by Region & Project Size)

1. Statewide Averages for New Install

• Small (12×20 ft, 240 sq ft): $1,100–$1,550
• Standard (20×30 ft, 600 sq ft): $2,300–$3,900
• Large (24×40 ft, 960 sq ft): $4,100–$6,200
• Extra-large (30×60 ft, 1,800 sq ft): $7,200–$11,500

2. Regional Price Map

Missouri’s two metro areas drive the highest per-square-foot prices because of disposal fees, higher labor wages, and traffic control permits.

3. Remove & Replace vs. Overlay

If your old driveway is crumbling or has alligator cracks deeper than ½ inch, Missouri contractors will recommend full removal. Expect an added $1.00–$1.75 per sq ft for tear-out and disposal (landfill fees near St. Louis run $35–$45 per ton). An overlay, where a 1.5–2 inch layer is paved on top of sound asphalt, saves roughly 30 % but only works if the base is stable and drainage is good.

7 Hidden Cost Drivers You Can Control

1. Aggregate Base Depth

Missouri’s silty clay subgrade expands and contracts. A 6-inch compacted limestone base is standard in rural areas; in St. Louis’ clay, many contractors insist on 8 inches. Every extra 2 inches adds $0.45–$0.65 per sq ft. Ask for AASHTO #57 limestone compacted to 98 % Standard Proctor—it’s worth the small up-charge.

2. Asphalt Mix Type

MO-DOT spec PG 64-22 is common, but for driveways you want a 9.5 mm surface mix with 5.5–6 % asphalt cement. Some suppliers swap in recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) to cut cost; insist on < 5 % RAS to avoid early cracking.

3. Site Access & Distance to Plant

There are only 30+ hot-mix plants in Missouri. If you live more than 25 miles away, trucking costs add $10–$15 per ton. Schedule the pour early morning to avoid multiple trips and keep the mat above 250 °F for proper compaction.

4. Drainage Upgrades

Adding a French drain or 4-inch underdrain along the garage apron runs $20–$30 per linear foot, but it prevents Missouri’s spring freeze-thaw from heaving the edge. A trench drain at the foot of a sloped driveway can save thousands in future patching.

5. Stamped or Colored Topcoat

Want a stamped asphalt border that mimics brick? Budget an extra $5–$9 per sq ft for the stamped area only. A colored acrylic sealer adds $1.50–$2.00 per sq ft and must be re-coated every 4–5 years.

6. Permits & HOAs

Kansas City requires a $75 right-of-way permit if you tie into a public sidewalk. St. Louis County municipalities can charge $100–$250. Factor in 5–10 business days for approval so you don’t delay the paving crew.

7. Seasonal Demand

Asphalt plants close mid-December through February. Prices jump 8–12 % in April-May when everyone books. Lock in a September or October slot for the best rates and cooler compaction weather.

Smart Ways to Save 10–15 % Without Cutting Corners

Bundle With Neighbors

Contractors save on mobilization when they pave two or three driveways the same day. Ask for a “multi-job discount” of $0.25–$0.40 per sq ft.

Accept a Larger Size Sealer Later

Sealcoating is NOT needed for the first 9–12 months. Skip the contractor’s “free seal” package and book it yourself next summer for $0.15–$0.20 per sq ft versus the $0.35 they charge.

Prep Your Own Edges

Mark sprinkler heads, trim back shrubs, and move vehicles 24 hours ahead. That saves labor hours and can knock $100–$200 off the final invoice.

Pay Cash & Skip Financing Fees

Some asphalt companies offer 0 % financing but bake a 6–8 % fee into the bid. Pay by check or ACH and ask for the cash price.

How to Compare Apples-to-Apples Quotes

1. Demand a line-item bid. You should see: remove & haul, base aggregate tons, asphalt tons, compaction passes, edge milling, and tack coat.
2. Verify insurance. Missouri requires $500 k general liability minimum; ask for a certificate naming you as additional insured for the day of paving.
3. Check MoDOT qualified plant. Ask which plant the mix will come from and verify it’s on the current MoDOT approved list.
4. Get two references older than 3 years. Drive by and look for raveling (loose rocks) or longitudinal cracks along the wheel path.
5. Insist on a 1-year workmanship warranty covering settling, segregation, and unbonded joints.

Protecting Your Investment: Year-By-Year Missouri Maintenance Plan

Year 1

• Keep vehicles off for 3 full days in July heat.
• Spot-check for hairline cracks; mark with chalk and photo for warranty.

Years 2–3

• Fill any cracks > ¼ inch with hot-applied rubberized sealant ($0.75–$1.00 per linear ft).
• Keep gasoline, oil, and lawn fertilizer off the surface; they dissolve asphalt cement.

Years 4–5

• Apply a coal-tar-free sealer ($0.15–$0.20 per sq ft DIY). In Missouri’s freeze-thaw belt, sealing every 4 years extends life by 25 %.

Years 6–15

• Consider a 1-inch overlay at 60 % of original cost instead of full replacement if base is sound.

Does a New Asphalt Driveway Add Home Value in Missouri?

According to the 2024 Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value report, a standard 600 sq ft asphalt driveway replacement returns 68 % of its cost at resale in the Midwest. In high-demand St. Louis suburbs like Chesterfield and O’Fallon, Realtors say a smooth, jet-black driveway adds $4,000–$5,000 to perceived curb appeal—often the difference between a quick offer and 30 extra days on market.

Frequently Asked Questions About Asphalt Driveway Cost in Missouri