Prices are estimates. How we get them
Asphalt paving and sealcoating · Cedar Rapids, IA
We handle driveways, parking lots, and repairs throughout Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, and Fairfax.
Get my free quoteCedar Rapids sits right in the freeze-thaw belt. Our winter temperatures swing from the teens up past freezing and back down again, sometimes in the same week. That cycle cracks asphalt faster than just about anything else. Water gets in, freezes, expands, and before you know it a small crack turns into a pothole. We see it every spring after the thaw.
Most of the homes around here were built in the 1970s, and plenty of those driveways are original or close to it. Silty clay loam soil holds moisture, which puts extra pressure on your base when it freezes. Add in heavy summer rains in June and July and you have a recipe for settling and cracking if the base was not done right the first time.
We work across Cedar Rapids, from Wellington Heights and Mound View on the northeast side to Czech Village and NewBo near downtown, out to the newer subdivisions near Marion and Hiawatha. Whether you need a full driveway replacement, parking lot paving, pothole patching, or a fresh sealcoat to extend the life of your asphalt, we handle it with the right materials and methods for Iowa conditions.
New asphalt driveways installed with proper grading and a solid aggregate base to handle freeze-thaw cycles. We prep the subgrade, compact the base, and lay hot asphalt that cures smooth and drains water away from your foundation.
Commercial parking lot installation and overlays for businesses, apartment complexes, and churches. We work around your schedule and can phase the job so you stay open during construction.
Fixing potholes, edge crumbling, and sunken sections before they get worse. We cut out the damaged area, replace the base if needed, and patch it with hot asphalt that bonds to the existing surface.
Sealcoating every two to three years protects asphalt from water, sun, and chemicals. It fills surface voids and adds a protective layer that slows oxidation and keeps your driveway or lot looking sharp.
We clean and fill cracks before water gets in and starts the freeze-thaw damage. Crack sealing is one of the best ways to add years to your pavement without spending a fortune.
When your surface is worn but the base is still solid, we mill off the top layer and pave a fresh overlay. This costs less than full removal and gives you a smooth new surface.
Freeze-thaw cycles, heavy June rains, and below-zero winter stretches put stress on asphalt. We build for those conditions with proper depth, quality aggregates, and compaction that holds up year after year.
A lot of asphalt problems start underneath. We excavate to the right depth, lay compacted aggregate base, and grade for drainage so water does not pool or undercut the pavement.
We work in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding towns every day. You can drive by our projects in Wellington Heights, Marion, Czech Village, and see the quality for yourself.
We measure the job, explain what needs to be done, and give you a written estimate with no surprises. If we find something unexpected during excavation, we talk to you before adding costs.
Cedar Rapids gets an average of 36 inches of rain per year, with the heaviest precipitation in June when we see over five inches. That moisture combined with our silty clay loam soil means water can sit under pavement and weaken the base if drainage is not handled right. The Cedar River runs through the middle of town, and many neighborhoods near the river or in low-lying areas like Czech Village and Ellis Harbor have higher groundwater. We always grade away from structures and build adequate base depth to keep water from pooling underneath.
Winter here brings 28 to 34 inches of snow and temperatures that drop into the teens regularly, with stretches well below zero. The real damage happens during the 54 freeze-thaw cycles we get each year when daytime temps climb above freezing and nighttime temps drop back down. Water in cracks expands when it freezes and breaks the asphalt apart. The ground frost depth reaches 35 inches, which means your base needs to be stable and well-compacted or it will heave and settle. Most homes in Cedar Rapids were built around 1974, so a lot of driveways are 40 or 50 years old and showing their age. The city requires permits for some paving work depending on whether you are adding square footage or changing drainage, so we handle that paperwork when needed.
A typical residential driveway in Cedar Rapids runs between $3 and $5 per square foot for new asphalt, so a standard two-car driveway around 600 square feet costs roughly $1,800 to $3,000. If you need full excavation and new base because the old one failed, add another $1 to $2 per square foot. Sealcoating costs around $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot, so that same 600 square foot driveway runs $90 to $150 for a fresh coat every few years. Parking lots are priced similarly but the per-square-foot cost drops as the project gets larger. Prices go up if we have to remove old concrete, dig out tree roots, bring in extra base material for soft spots, or work around tight access. Asphalt prices also fluctuate with oil costs, so prices can shift between spring and fall.
Based around Cedar Rapids, IA, we also take jobs in these nearby towns. Put your town on the form and we will tell you right away if we can help.
A properly installed asphalt driveway in Cedar Rapids typically lasts 20 to 30 years with regular maintenance. Our freeze-thaw cycles are hard on pavement, so sealcoating every two to three years and fixing cracks early makes a big difference. Driveways that skip maintenance often start showing serious damage after 15 years.
Late spring through early fall is ideal, usually May through September. Asphalt needs warm temperatures to compact properly and cure well. We avoid paving when temperatures drop below 50 degrees at night because the asphalt cools too fast and does not bond as well.
No, new asphalt needs time to cure before sealcoating. We recommend waiting at least six months to a year. The oils in fresh asphalt need to evaporate and harden before you add a sealer on top.
The city requires permits if you are adding impervious surface area, changing drainage patterns, or working in the right-of-way near the street. We check with the city on each project and handle the permit paperwork if needed. Small repairs and resurfacing within your existing footprint usually do not require a permit.
Sometimes, but it depends on the condition of the concrete. If it is relatively flat with no major heaving or broken sections, we can pave over it. If the concrete is badly cracked or settling, we recommend removing it first so the new asphalt has a stable base.
We typically install two to three inches of compacted asphalt over four to six inches of compacted aggregate base. Heavier use or soft soil may require a thicker base. The base is just as important as the asphalt thickness when it comes to handling Iowa winters.
Tell us what you need and where. We usually reply within one business day. A photo helps us give you a faster, more accurate quote.
No obligation and no pressure.
CEDAR RAPIDS