When Does Paving Season Start? A Regional Breakdown

Paving season starts when it’s warm and dry, so it depends on your region. Knowing your local paving window can help you avoid costly mistakes and deliver better results for your customers.

Why Paving Season Exists

Asphalt needs the right conditions to compact properly. Hot-mix asphalt should be placed at 275°F to 300°F (optimal range), and compaction must stop before the mix cools below approximately 175°F.

Cold weather causes asphalt to harden too fast. Crews lose precious working time, and the final product suffers. Wet conditions are just as bad. Water seeps into the base layers, weakening the pavement and causing early failure.

The goal is simple: pave when it's warm and dry.

Regional Paving Season Overview

When Does Paving Season Start Across the U.S.?

The answer depends on where you work. The U.S. has vastly different climates, so paving windows vary by region.

Southern states (Texas, Florida, Arizona, Southern California)

Paving season starts as early as February or March in the South. Mild winters mean the ground rarely freezes, and temperatures stay above 50°F for most of the year.

Some southern contractors pave year-round. However, summer heat can create challenges too. Asphalt can get too hot and become difficult to work with. Many crews prefer spring and fall for the most comfortable working conditions.

Midwest (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota)

Midwest contractors typically start paving in late April or May. The ground needs time to thaw after harsh winters, and spring rains can push start dates back even further.

Paving season generally ends by late September or early October. Once nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F consistently, the risks outweigh the rewards.

Northeast (New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New England)

The Northeast follows a similar pattern to the Midwest. Paving season starts in May and wraps up by October in most areas.

Spring thaw and heavy rain can delay projects into early summer. Smart contractors use March and April to line up bids and finalize schedules.

Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon)

Rain is the biggest factor here, not temperature. The Pacific Northwest stays relatively mild, but wet weather dominates fall through spring.

Paving season runs from late May through September in most areas. Dry summer months offer the best window for quality work.

Mountain states (Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming)

High elevations mean shorter paving seasons. Most mountain contractors work from May through September, depending on altitude.

Early snowfall can cut the season short. Crews in these regions need to plan projects carefully and build in buffer time for weather delays.

Temperature Requirements for Quality Asphalt

Air temperature should be at least 50°F, but 70°F or higher is ideal. Ground temperature matters too. Paving on frozen or semi-frozen ground leads to cracking and early failure.

Nighttime temperatures also play a role. The asphalt needs time to set before temperatures drop. Late-season projects face higher risks because nights get colder faster.

Note: Check out our guide on asphalt’s environmental impact to learn how modern paving affects air, water, and waste, and explore new recycling methods and sustainable asphalt alternatives.

How Precipitation Affects Paving Projects

Rain is more than an inconvenience. It directly impacts asphalt quality and project timelines.

Water on the surface prevents proper bonding between asphalt layers. The hot mix cools too quickly when it comes into contact with wet ground, leading to weak spots.

Even humidity matters. High moisture in the air can slow compacting times and impact the final finish.

Best practice: Wait at least 24 hours after heavy rain before paving. The base needs time to dry completely.

Signs You Should Delay a Paving Project

Not every day during paving season is a good paving day. Watch for these warning signs:

1. Dropping temperatures: If the forecast shows temperatures falling below 50°F within 24 hours of your pour, consider waiting.
2. Rain in the forecast: Even the chance of light rain can derail a project. Fresh asphalt needs dry conditions to compact.
3. Frozen ground: Just because the air is warm doesn't mean the ground is ready. Test the base before you start.
4. High winds: Strong winds cool asphalt faster than normal, reducing your working time.

Pushing through bad conditions might save a day on the calendar. But it costs much more in repairs and callbacks down the road.

Note: Check out our asphalt paving leads guide for simple ways to attract more customers, increase conversions, and keep your paving schedule full.

How Weather Affects Your Bottom Line

Paving outside the optimal window costs money. Projects done in poor conditions need repairs sooner. Callbacks eat into profits and damage your reputation.

On the other hand, scheduling projects during peak conditions means longer-lasting results. Happy customers will likely refer more business your way.

What to Do During the Off-Season

The off-season isn't downtime. Smart contractors use the winter months to set themselves up for a profitable paving season.

• Review and update your estimates: Material costs change. Make sure your pricing reflects current rates.
• Maintain your equipment: Repair and service trucks, pavers, and rollers before the busy season hits.
• Train your crew: Use slower months for safety training and skill development.
• Build your pipeline: Reach out to past customers about upcoming projects. Send estimates for spring work.
• Organize your systems: Clean up your project files, update your CRM, and prepare your scheduling tools.

Contractors who prepare during winter hit the ground running when temperatures rise.

Note: Explore the best asphalt paving software for contractors and field teams to find the top tools for managing estimates, crew schedules, and projects more efficiently.

Planning Tips for Paving Contractors

• Start booking in early spring: Even if you can't pave yet, use March and April to schedule estimates, finalize contracts, and order materials.
• Build weather delays into your timeline: Rain happens. Snow lingers. Giving yourself buffer time keeps customers happy and reduces stress.
• Track local forecasts closely: A warm week in April might let you start early. A cold snap in September might mean wrapping up sooner than planned.
• Communicate with customers: Let property owners know why timing matters. When they understand the reasons, they're typically more patient with scheduling.
• Schedule your biggest projects mid-season: Save June, July, and August for your largest jobs. These months offer the most consistent conditions.
• Don't overbook: It's tempting to stack projects during peak season. But rushing leads to mistakes. Quality work builds long-term profitability.

Note: Learn about asphalt paving tips for building long-lasting pavements along with proven techniques for site prep, mix selection, compaction, and quality control that help prevent cracks and extend pavement life.

Common Mistakes Contractors Make During Paving Season

Even experienced contractors fall into these traps:

• Starting too early: That first warm week in March feels like a green light. But one cold night can ruin fresh asphalt. Wait until conditions are stable.
• Ignoring ground temperature: Air temp gets all the attention. But if the ground is still cold, your asphalt won't bond properly.
• Paving too late in the day: Starting a pour at 4 p.m. in October is risky. The asphalt won't have enough warm daylight hours to compact properly.
• Skipping base preparation: A weak base fails no matter when you pave. Don't let seasonal pressure rush you past this critical step.
• Poor communication with customers: When you delay due to the weather, explain why. Customers appreciate contractors who prioritize quality over speed.

Note: Learn why it’s a great time to start an asphalt business in our asphalt business guide. It covers profits, demand, and startup essentials.

Make the Most of Your Paving Season

Every region has its own rhythm. Southern crews enjoy longer windows but deal with summer heat. Northern contractors have shorter seasons but ideal summer conditions.

The key is knowing your region's patterns and planning accordingly. Start early, book smart, and deliver quality work during the best weather windows.

Your customers invest a lot in their pavement. Paving at the right time protects that investment and builds your reputation as a contractor who does things right.

Stay Organized When Paving Season Picks Up

Now you know when paving season starts in your region. Use your off-season to get organized. OneCrew gives paving contractors one place to manage everything.

We built OneCrew specifically for paving contractors. Our platform helps you run your whole business, from the first customer call to the final payment.

You get control over the details that make or break your margins:

• Set accurate prices that help you win profitable work, not low-value jobs
• Track real costs on every project to spot problems before they eat your profits
• Schedule crews and equipment from one system that everyone can access
• Send professional proposals that help you compete with established contractors
• Get paid faster with invoicing that keeps cash flowing

Paving season waits for no one. The contractors who prepare now will win more jobs and work more efficiently when temperatures rise.

Book a demo to see how OneCrew helps top paving contractors stay ahead during their busiest months.

FAQs

1. What temperature is too cold for asphalt paving?

Asphalt should not be paved when air temperatures drop below 50°F. Ground temperature is equally important to monitor. Cold conditions cause the asphalt to harden too quickly. This prevents proper compaction and leads to premature cracking and pavement failure.

2. Can you pave asphalt in the rain?

No, you cannot pave asphalt in the rain. Water prevents proper bonding between asphalt layers and cools the mix too rapidly. Wait at least 24 hours after heavy rainfall to ensure the base has dried completely before beginning any paving work.

3. What is the best month to pave asphalt?

The best months to pave asphalt are June, July, and August in most U.S. regions. These summer months offer the most consistent warm temperatures, longer daylight hours, and dry weather conditions. This combination gives asphalt the ideal environment to compact properly and achieve maximum durability.

4. How long does asphalt need to set before rain?

Fresh asphalt needs at least 24 hours to set before exposure to rain. In cooler temperatures, allow 48 to 72 hours for the surface to harden. This compacting time helps the asphalt resist water damage and prevents premature deterioration.

5. Why do paving contractors stop working in winter?

Paving contractors stop working in winter because cold temperatures and frozen ground make proper compaction nearly impossible. Asphalt laid during winter months cracks faster, requires more frequent repairs, and has a significantly shorter lifespan than pavement installed during warmer seasons.