Updated October 2026
Real 2026 price ranges for asphalt paving, seal coating, striping, and grading in Los Angeles County — from a licensed contractor in the ground since 1993.
As of October 2026, in Los Angeles County asphalt overlay typically costs $3.25–$8 per square foot and full-depth removal and replacement runs $7–$14 per square foot. Seal coating runs $0.55–$2.25/sq ft and grading $1.50–$6/sq ft. Smaller jobs cost more per square foot because crew, equipment, and mobilization are spread over less area. Final price depends on base condition, thickness, site access, drainage, and whether the job is prevailing-wage public works. Quality Grading & Paving (Lic. #643034) provides free written estimates after a site visit.
Typical ranges for commercial and residential work in Los Angeles County. Every job is quoted individually after a site visit — these are planning figures, not a substitute for a written estimate.
| Work Type | What It Covers | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Overlay | New surface over a sound existing base | $3.25–$8 / sq ft |
| Full-Depth Replacement | Remove & rebuild failed pavement + base | $7–$14 / sq ft |
| Seal Coating | Asphalt emulsion (AB-1704 compliant) | $0.55–$2.25 / sq ft |
| Parking Lot Striping | ADA layout, fire lanes, markings | $0.30–$0.70 / linear ft |
| Grading & Site Prep | Excavation, compaction, drainage | $1.50–$6 / sq ft |
| Crack Filling | Rout & seal before coating | $1–$3 / linear ft |
Ranges reflect Los Angeles County commercial and residential conditions in 2026. Public works and prevailing-wage projects are priced separately.
Per-square-foot prices drop as jobs get bigger, because the crew, equipment, and mobilization cost is spread over more area. Based on a 1.5-inch overlay and a 4-inch full-depth section.
| Job Size | Typical Job | Overlay | Full Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2,000 sq ft | Driveway, small patch area | $6.25–$8.00 | $11.50–$14.00 |
| 2,000–6,000 sq ft | Small commercial lot, large driveway | $4.75–$6.25 | $9.75–$11.75 |
| 6,000–15,000 sq ft | Retail or office parking lot | $3.75–$4.75 | $8.00–$10.00 |
| Over 15,000 sq ft | Large lot, industrial yard | $3.25–$3.75 | $7.00–$8.50 |
| Seal Coating | Price Per Sq Ft |
|---|---|
| Under 2,000 sq ft | $1.75–$2.25 |
| 2,000–5,000 sq ft | $1.05–$1.50 |
| 5,000–12,000 sq ft | $0.70–$1.00 |
| Over 12,000 sq ft | $0.55–$0.75 |
Overlay: about $37,500–$47,500 · Full replacement: about $80,000–$100,000 · Seal coat: about $7,000–$10,000. Try your own numbers in the cost calculator.
Two lots the same size can price very differently. These are the factors that move a quote up or down.
In Los Angeles County in 2026, asphalt overlay typically costs $3.25 to $8 per square foot, and full-depth removal and replacement costs $7 to $14 per square foot. The final price depends on site access, existing pavement condition, drainage, and subgrade preparation.
As of October 2026, a 1.5-inch overlay on a 10,000 square foot lot in Los Angeles typically runs about $37,500 to $47,500 ($3.75 to $4.75 per square foot). Full-depth replacement with a 4-inch section runs about $80,000 to $100,000 ($8 to $10 per square foot), and seal coating the same lot about $7,000 to $10,000. A site visit sets the final price.
Asphalt emulsion seal coating in Los Angeles typically runs $0.55 to $2.25 per square foot, depending on lot size, surface condition, and crack-filling prep. Larger lots fall toward the lower end due to shared mobilization costs. Coal-tar sealer is banned in California under AB-1704, so emulsion is the only compliant product.
The biggest factors are the existing base condition, the asphalt thickness required for the traffic load, site access for equipment, and drainage work. Subgrade preparation is the single most important factor in long-term cost — poor prep is the number-one cause of early pavement failure, which is why we test compaction on every job.
Asphalt is typically 40 to 60 percent cheaper than concrete upfront, and faster to install and repair. Concrete lasts longer with less maintenance but costs more initially. For most Los Angeles parking lots and driveways, asphalt is the more cost-effective choice with routine seal coating every 2 to 4 years.
Quotes usually differ in what they include: asphalt thickness, base preparation, and whether the contractor carries a license, insurance, and workers' compensation. Pavement built on an unprepared subgrade can fail in a few years, costing more than doing it right the first time. Get the scope in writing so you can compare bids line by line. What to check before you hire →
Free written estimate after a site visit — no guessing from square footage alone.