How Much Does It Cost to Pave a Driveway?
The national average cost to pave a driveway currently ranges from $5.45 to $12.10 per square foot. The concrete material and driveway size will affect this price, as well as whether or not installation is required for your project location in terms of the time frame it takes place over (i e: quickly vs slowly).
The more costly materials can cost as much as $31 per square foot, while cheaper ones are only priced competitively with each other, usually ranging from about $1.50 to $7.25 to install.
Driveway Paving Prices in Your Area
| California | $3,600 – $8,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,200 – $7,470 |
| Florida | $2,900 – $6,550 |
| Arizona | $2,970 – $6,542 |
| Texas | $3,100 – $6,100 |
| Tennessee | $3,500 – $5,230 |
Deciding to install a new driveway can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it’s essential to know the costs associated with each type of driveway. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll walk you through the factors that influence the total cost of paving a driveway, including labor costs, square feet, and the various types of driveways.
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Assessing your existing driveway:
Before you can start planning for a new driveway, it’s crucial to evaluate the condition of your old driveway. If it’s in good shape, you may not need to replace it. However, if it’s damaged or deteriorated, you’ll need to consider the additional cost of removing and disposing of the existing driveway materials.
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Types of driveways and their costs:
When it comes to choosing the best option for your driveway, you need to consider the paving materials and their costs. Here are some popular choices:
a) Gravel driveways: Gravel driveways are an affordable option, typically costing $2 to $3 per square foot. They are relatively easy to install and maintain, making them a popular choice for many homeowners. However, they may not be suitable for colder climates, as snow removal can be challenging.
b) New asphalt driveway: Asphalt driveways are another popular choice, especially in colder climates where they can withstand freezing temperatures. The cost of a new asphalt driveway can range from $3 to $6 per square foot, depending on the thickness and grade of the asphalt.
c) Concrete driveways: Concrete driveways costs are higher than gravel or asphalt, typically ranging from $5 to $10 per square foot. They are a durable option and can last for decades with proper maintenance. Concrete driveways are more suitable for warmer climates, as they can crack under extreme cold.
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Labor costs:
In addition to the cost of the paving materials, you’ll also need to factor in labor costs. These can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the contractor you choose. On average, labor costs can range from $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. It’s essential to get quotes from multiple contractors to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
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Additional costs:
When budgeting for a new driveway, it’s important to consider any additional costs that may arise. For example, if your driveway has a steep slope or needs significant grading work, this can increase the total cost. Additionally, if you’re looking to add features such as borders, drainage systems, or decorative elements, these will also add to the overall expense.
Paving a new driveway is a significant investment, and understanding the costs associated with each type of driveway is crucial in making the best choice for your home. Be sure to take into account the labor costs, square footage, and any additional costs to ensure you make an informed decision. Whether you opt for a gravel driveway, new asphalt driveway, or concrete, each material has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
A new driveway will not only make your entryway more attractive but will also add value to your home and make winters much more manageable. Whether you are looking to have a new driveway installed or repair seasonal damage, asphalt and concrete are two great choices for your new driveways. To learn more about the cost to pave a driveway, check out this helpful guide!
COMPARE PAVING QUOTESBenefits of Installing or Repairing a New Driveway: Why It’s Worth the Investment
A new driveway can significantly enhance your home’s curb appeal and provide a smooth surface for your vehicles. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of installing or repairing a new driveway, taking into account factors such as labor costs, square feet, and the advantages of using durable materials like plain concrete.
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Increased Home Value:
A well-maintained and attractive driveway can boost your home’s value, making it more appealing to potential buyers. By investing in a new driveway or repairing your existing one, you’re not only improving your home’s appearance but also increasing its resale value.
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Enhanced Curb Appeal:
A new driveway instantly improves the overall appearance of your home. Whether you choose plain concrete or other durable materials, a fresh and well-designed driveway can make a significant impact on your property’s curb appeal.
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Improved Functionality:
A two-car driveway provides ample space for parking multiple vehicles and ensures easy access to your home. By installing or repairing your driveway, you’ll enjoy the convenience and functionality of a smooth, well-paved surface.
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Better Durability with Durable Materials:
Driveways made from durable materials like plain concrete are built to last. With regular maintenance, a concrete driveway can withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy vehicle use for decades. By investing in a high-quality driveway material, you’ll save money in the long run by avoiding frequent repairs and replacements.
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Lower Labor Costs and Square Feet Expenses:
Repairing small cracks and performing regular maintenance on your driveway can help you avoid costly and extensive repairs in the future. By addressing issues as they arise, you can save on labor costs and the expense of a complete driveway replacement.
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Enhanced Safety:
A well-maintained driveway with no cracks or potholes reduces the risk of accidents and injuries. By installing or repairing your driveway, you’re creating a safer environment for you and your family, as well as visitors to your home.
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Easier Maintenance:
Investing in a new driveway or repairing your existing one ensures that it remains in excellent condition for longer. With regular maintenance, you can prevent small cracks from becoming larger issues and keep your driveway looking its best.
COMPARE PAVING QUOTESWhich Is Cheaper, Concrete or Asphalt Driveway?
The cost of laying asphalt is about two to five dollars per square foot, meaning a 450 square foot driveway would cost you as much as $2,400. This is much cheaper than cement, which could cost as much as $5,590 to cover the same area.
COMPARE PAVING QUOTESAre 2 Inches of Asphalt Enough For A Driveway?
Asphalt driveways are some of the most common that you will see homeowners choose. Typically, two to three inches of asphalt is all that is needed for a residential driveway. The asphalt is laid over several inches of gravel and forms a three-inch layer.
What Is The Cost to Resurface an Asphalt Driveway?
One downside is that asphalt driveways need to be repaired every two to five years due to wear and tear. A contractor can remove the damaged top section and reapply a new coat for between one and three dollars per square foot, or $490 to $1,450 for a 450 square foot driveway. In general, expect to pay around $1.78 per square foot to resurface an asphalt driveway.
What Is The Cost to Reseal an Asphalt Driveway?
For a 500 foot driveway, you could be looking at between $90 and $135. For a 1,000 square foot driveway, concrete contractors typically charge between $250 and $290 for seal coating.
What Is the Cost to Pave a Driveway in Asphalt?
Asphalt driveways are some of the most common that you will see homeowners choose. Typically, the asphalt is laid over several inches of gravel and forms a three-inch layer. The cost of laying asphalt is about two to $5 per square foot, meaning a 450 square foot driveway would cost you as much as $2,350.
One downside is that asphalt driveways need to be repaired every two to five years due to wear and tear. A contractor can remove the damaged top section and reapply a new coat for between one and $3.04 per square foot.
Asphalt Paving Cost Per Square Foot
| Driveway Material | Cost Per Square Foot |
| Asphalt | $4.10 – $10.22 |
| Gravel | $0.73 – $1.53 |
| Installation Cost | $5.26 – $7.30 |
Asphalt Prices By Material
| Cold Mix Concrete | $11 – $60 per bag |
| Hot Mix Concrete | $104 – $250 per ton |
| Recycled Concrete | $10.75 – $24 per ton |
| Porous Concrete | $9 – $16 per square foot |
Consider the climate where you live before you decide to go with asphalt for your driveway. If you live somewhere with high summer temperatures, the asphalt can become sticky and melt. When winter comes and brings lower temperatures, the thermal cycle can cause damage to the asphalt.
What Is the Cost to Install a Poured or Slab Concrete Driveway?
A poured concrete driveway involves four-inch slabs being installed over crushed stone, with rebar added for extra strength. You could even have stamped concrete installed, which lets you add a variety of colors, patterns, and textures to your driveway.
The cost of a regular poured concrete driveway is between three and $13 dollars per square foot. Stamped concrete costs between twelve and $18 per square foot, making it much more expensive.
While concrete costs more to install, it is far more durable than asphalt. If the surface becomes cracked or chipped, you can have the driveway repaired for between two and $8 per square foot.
Premade concrete pavers are the most expensive option at ten to $32 per square foot. However, they offer you the most options for style and design. Pavers also provide you with a wide range of sizes and colors, even resembling natural stone if you wish.
Concrete pavers are also installed over a bed of crushed stone, but with the addition of a layer of bedding sand. One advantage of pavers over poured concrete is the ease of repair. Unlike slab concrete damaged sections can be easily removed and replaced without redoing the whole driveway.
COMPARE PAVING QUOTESDriveway Costs and Scams to Look Out For
The three main expenses that you will incur when having a new driveway installed are the installation, the cost of materials, and any maintenance. Your contractor will need to make sure the building site is prepared and ready for work to begin.
Several other factors can influence the cost to pave a driveway. If your home is from the 1970’s or earlier, your existing base might have to be removed due to changes in building code. If the driveway is being installed on a slope or in an odd shape, that could run up the costs as well.
If there are tree stumps or shrubs that are in the way, you will have to pay to have them removed before work can begin. If the base needs to be repaired or replaced, it will require a crew of laborers and heavy machinery to do the job. If your contractor finds any problems with drainage issues or has issues laying the driveway out, this will cost you more money.
You should also beware of a widespread scam that involves asphalt driveway repairs. This scam usually takes the form of a fake salesman offering to repave your driveway and absconding with your money.
There are several things to look out for, such as an insistence on being paid in cash. You will also be pressured to make a quick decision and will not be given a written estimate for the repair work.
Another giveaway is that the salesman will claim to have leftover material from another job so that they can give you a lower price. Any professional contractor knows how to calculate the materials needed for a job and rarely buys more than required.
A New Driveway Will Improve Your Home’s Value and Make Your Life Easier
The cost to pave a driveway is far less than the benefits your home will receive. By installing a new driveway, you will increase the value of your home and improve your curb appeal immensely.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO PAVE A DRIVEWAY NEAR YOU?
COMPARE PAVING QUOTESA beautiful driveway can make a house stand out among the rest in its neighborhood. We all know how important it is to have an eye-catching exterior, so why not enhance that with some paving? The cost of pavements varies depending on various factors but we’ll give you one hint: It’s not just about getting any old surface down there.
DURABILITY
Consider the cost when choosing which material to use for your driveway. You’ll want an option that is durable but also affordable so it doesn’t break the bank, and concrete seems like a great idea since you can get tons of colors/finishes with just one coat. However don’t overlook asphalt shingle roofs (which offer more durability), gravel paving stones, or pavers made from recycled materials in hot climates where temperatures may exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout most months).
Paving a driveway is not cheap. You can expect to pay an average price of $2,560 – which includes materials and installation but does not include labor from reputable concrete companies that do the job well in order for you to have something worthwhile lasting years down the line.
DRIVEWAY SIZE
To find out how much it will cost to pave a driveway, you need first to decide what type of material and size is best for your needs. The location in which the job takes place can also affect pricing as well as labor rates per square foot or inch with some materials being more expensive than others based on their bulkiness.
Paving a driveway is one of the most important decisions you will make in regard to your home. The type and style that’s picked out for this project can have an impact on what materials are used, which may then lead to pricing differences depending upon preference or budget requirements. The material choice should match with exterior aesthetic preferences while still being durable enough so as not to produce any cracks during regular use.
DRIVEWAY SHAPE
The cost of paving a driveway can vary depending on its shape. A roundabout pattern requires more labor and materials compared to the standard rectangular format, but if you’re looking for an expensive finish or thick layerings this may be worth it; otherwise, stick with 3-4 inches in most cases. A lot goes into making sure that your home looks great – from landscaping around gardens & lawns all throughout springtime bulbs blooming until they finally rest winter’s snowflakes come fall–but one thing we know is constant: our driveways need maintenance just like any other part of the house!
COMPARE PAVING QUOTESCompare the cost to pave a driveway in Houston.
Compare the cost to pave a driveway in Philadelphia.
Compare the cost to pave a driveway in Phoenix.
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Thank you for the info. I need a good company to do my driveway. Anyone got any suggestons? I live in Springfield Tn.
Hi, and thanks for the information. We operate a company in Fort Lauderdale and love reading about other views and options within our industry. We live in a climate that just gets battered by the elements so learning about new tricks of the trade is always our goal. Thanks Again!
Thank you so much for sharing a great post. Recently, I was planning to install my Driveway by a contractor. However, I was not much aware of the cost. Your post was beneficial and covered everything. Keep up the excellent work.
It’s good to know that you should consider things that might get in the way of paving. My husband and I are wanting to get a driveway paved for our home in a couple of weeks, and we wanted to get an idea of what will affect the cost. We’ll make sure to keep these tips in mind once we find a paving contractor that can help us.
It’s cool that you mention that asphalt is a very affordable paving material for driveways. I want to get a driveway for my new house without spending a lot of money, so I’m considering having an asphalt one installed. I’m going to search for a good asphalt paving business in my area that can build a driveway for me.
Thanks for explaining how an asphalt driveway is much cheaper than a cement one when paying per square foot. I want to get a new driveway before my in-laws come into town next month. I think I’ll get an asphalt one because of how much cheaper they are.
You said that a clean driveway helps with curb appeal. This is great to know because I want to sell my home. I will look for a paving contractor near me to help fix this.
I am wondering if the brickwork I have installed on both sides of my driveway can be left in place while re-doing the asphalt ? It is real brick, not pavers that surround the asphalt and was quite expensive to install.
My neighbor’s driveway has a lot of cracks which creates a lot of puddles in his entrance. I like how you said that concrete is more durable than other materials such as asphalt. I will share this article with him so that he can think about contacting a concrete contractor to fix his driveway.
Paving might be a cheaper option up front, but concrete lasts for much longer. There are so many reasons to get either one of the options… in my opinion it depends the most on where your house is located and how long your driveway is. Just a thought
I liked that you explained that you should consider the factors that will affect the cost of your concrete. I have a sister that needs help with finding a concrete contractor. I will make sure that she does research online.
My wife and I really want to start renovating things around our home and property like the driveway so we can bring the home into the modern age. I never knew that there were so many city codes surrounding your driveway like how wide it can be among other things. I’ll talk to my contractor so we are on the same page and still comply with all the regulations that are in place.