How much does paving an asphalt driveway cost?
How much does paving an asphalt driveway cost?
$3 – $7 cost per square foot
$1,200 – $4,000 average 2-car driveway cost
Asphalt driveway paving cost
Asphalt driveway paving costs $3 to $7 per square foot installed. The average cost to pave a blacktop driveway is $1,200 to $4,000. The average cost to repave a driveway is $3 to $10 per square foot. An asphalt overlay costs $1 to $3 per square foot.
The cost to pave a private asphalt road is $35 to $85 per linear foot. Asphalt parking lot paving costs $3 to $7 per square foot. An asphalt sidewalk costs $12 to $28 per linear foot.
| Size | Square feet | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10’x20’ Driveway (1-car) | 200 | $600 – $1,400 |
| 12’x24’ Driveway (1-car) | 288 | $850 – $2,000 |
| 20’x20’ Driveway (2-car) | 400 | $1,200 – $2,800 |
| 24’x24’ Driveway (2-car) | 576 | $1,700 – $4,000 |
| 24’x36’ Driveway (3-car) | 864 | $2,600 – $6,000 |
| 4’x50’ Sidewalk | 200 | $600 – $1,400 |
| 40’x40’ Backyard blacktop | 1,600 | $4,800 – $11,200 |
| 12’x100’ Road | 1,200 | $3,500 – $8,500 |
| 12’x500’ Road | 6,000 | $17,500 – $42,500 |
| 12’x25’ Parking space | 300 | $900 – $2,100 |
| 10-Car Parking lot | 3,000 | $9,000 – $21,000 |
| Basketball court (94’x50’) | 4,700 | $14,000 – $33,000 |
| Tennis court (78’x36’) | 2,800 | $8,500 – $20,000 |
Asphalt driveway cost calculator
Enter the length and width of your driveway in feet below to estimate the cost of an asphalt driveway.
Average cost to pave a driveway
The following table shows the average cost to pave a 2-car driveway (400 to 600 SF).
| National Average Cost | $2,400 |
| Minimum Cost | $600 |
| Maximum Cost | $6,000 |
| Average Range | $1,200 to $4,000 |
*Based on 290 project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
An asphalt driveway lasts 15 to 30 years and requires sealcoating every 3 to 5 years.
A new driveway boosts curb appeal and resale value.
A new asphalt driveway needs an asphalt layer 3" to 5" thick to last.
In comparison, a concrete driveway costs $4 to $8 per square foot and lasts 30 to 40 years.
Asphalt paving cost per square foot
Asphalt paving costs $3 to $7 per square foot on average. Asphalt materials and installation labor costs $2 to $4 per square foot, while basic excavating and installing a gravel subgrade adds $1 to $3 per square foot. Adding colors, patterns, curbs, or sidewalks cost extra.
| Factor | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Gravel subgrade installation | $1 – $3 |
| Asphalt materials and installation | $2 – $4 |
| Total cost | $3 – $7 |
Asphalt paving requirements:
Sub-surface layer of compacted gravel for drainage and support. A thicker gravel driveway base layer between the soil and the asphalt increases lifespan.
Binder course (basecoat) asphalt layer with coarse stones
Finish course (topcoat) asphalt layer with ground stones, tack-coat adhesive, and sealer
Other asphalt paving costs
| Project | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Driveway (24’x24’) | $1,700 – $4,000 |
| Private road (12’x500’) | $17,500 – $42,500 |
| Parking space (300 SF) | $900 – $2,100 |
| 10-Car parking lot | $9,000 – $21,000 |
| Curbing (40 linear feet) | $120 – $240 |
| Garden path (3’x100’) | $900 – $2,100 |
| Sidewalk or walkway (4’x50’) | $600 – $1,400 |
| Patio (10’x15’) | $450 – $1,000 |
| Playground (15’x15’) | $650 – $1,600 |
| Sport court (30’x50’) | $4,500 – $10,500 |
Cost to pave an asphalt road
The average cost to pave a private one-lane asphalt road is $35 to $85 per linear foot. Paving a two-lane (24'-wide) asphalt road costs $70 to $170 per linear foot or $370,000 to $900,000 per mile.
Blacktop road construction costs more than driveways because roads need 5" to 11" thick asphalt.
| Length | Square footage | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Feet (one-lane) | 1,200 | $3,500 – $8,500 |
| 500 Feet (one-lane) | 6,000 | $17,500 – $42,500 |
| 1,000 Feet (one-lane) | 12,000 | $35,000 – $85,000 |
| 1 Mile (two-lane) | 126,720 | $370,000 – $900,000 |
Cost to pave an asphalt parking lot
Paving an asphalt parking lot costs $3 to $7 per square foot, not including marking, striping, curbing, or permits. Paving a 10-car asphalt parking lot costs $9,000 to $21,000 on average or $900 to $2,100 per space of 300 square feet.
Asphalt curbing
Asphalt curbing costs $3 to $6 per linear foot to install. Adding asphalt curbing to a 400-square-foot driveway costs $120 to $240.
Repairing or replacing asphalt curbs costs $8 to $15 per linear foot, depending on the thickness, style, and labor.
Asphalt sidewalk or walkway cost
An average 48"-wide asphalt walkway or sidewalk costs $12 to $28 per linear foot. Installing a paved 50-foot asphalt sidewalk costs $600 to $1,400. Sidewalk construction requires a permit costing $40 to $70 that's pulled by the contractor.
Asphalt patio cost
Paving a 10’x15’ asphalt patio costs $450 to $1,050, while paving a 20’x20’ patio costs $1,200 to $2,800 installed with a gravel base. Patios require a compacted gravel foundation for stability. These fees do not include extra charges for rounded shapes, stamped brick patterns, and special colors.
Asphalt path cost
Paving a 100-foot asphalt path costs $900 to $2,100 on average or $9 to $21 per linear foot. Garden paths are typically 30 to 36 inches wide and don’t require a gravel base. Labor costs increase for hard-to-access and curved paths with complicated designs..
Backyard blacktop for playgrounds & sport courts
Backyard asphalt paving costs $3 to $7 per square foot, depending on the size and complexity. Paving a 15’x15’ asphalt playground costs $650 to $1,600, while paving a 30’x50’ sport court costs $4,500 to $10,500 on average.
| Project | Square feet | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small playground (15’x15’) | 225 | $650 – $1,600 |
| Big playground (30’x30’) | 900 | $2,700 – $6,300 |
| Half basketball court (30’x50’) | 1,500 | $4,500 – $10,500 |
| Full basketball court (94’x50’) | 4,700 | $14,000 – $33,000 |
| Tennis court (78’x36’) | 2,800 | $8,500 – $20,000 |
*Additional costs apply for color coatings and striping.
Cost to repave driveway
The average cost to repave an asphalt driveway is $4 to $10 per square foot with a new gravel base or $3 to $7 per square foot with an existing base.
Repaving a 2-car (20’x20’) asphalt driveway costs $1,600 to $4,000 on average. Repaving includes removing and hauling away the existing asphalt.
| Factor | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Remove and haul old driveway | $1 – $3 |
| New gravel sub-grade stone base* | $1 – $3 |
| Install asphalt | $2 – $4 |
| Total cost to repave | $3 – $10 |
*A new sub-base is not always required.
Asphalt driveway replacement vs. resurfacing
Asphalt driveway resurfacing costs $1 to $3 per square foot compared to replacing at $4 to $10 per square foot. Resurfacing a 2-car (20’x20’) asphalt driveway costs $400 to $1,200, while a complete replacement costs $1,600 to $4,000 on average.
Asphalt repairs cost $2 to $5 per square foot for minor cracks and potholes in driveways less than 10 years old. Other driveway repairs cost $100 to $3,000, depending on the extent of the damage.
Asphalt resurfacing is best for driveways less than 15 to 20 years old with good foundations that have widespread yet shallow cracks.
Asphalt replacement or repaving is best for unstable driveways older than 20 to 30 years with extensive damage.
Asphalt overlay cost
An asphalt overlay costs $1 to $3 per square foot and lasts 8 to 15 years. After surface repairs, pavers apply a 1.5" to 2" thick asphalt topcoat.
An asphalt mill and overlay costs $1.25 to $3.75 per square foot. Milling removes heavily damaged pavement before applying an overlay.
A new asphalt overlay won’t last if the driveway is more than 20 years old or has foundation damage or drainage problems.
Cost to lay asphalt over concrete driveway
Laying new asphalt over a concrete driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot. Contractors fill cracks with concrete-repair caulk before paving.
Resurfacing concrete with asphalt is cheaper than replacing concrete. However, special preparation is required to stabilize the concrete and prevent cracks.
Installers cut out and patch potholes first with stabilized base asphalt.
Contractors spread self-adhesive fabric over the expansion joints.
The entire concrete surface gets a layer of geotextile paving fabric to secure it.
Contractors spread 3 to 4 inches of hot-mix asphalt and compact it.
Without stabilizing the concrete’s expansion joints and verifying the foundation's strength, the concrete will likely shift in the winter and crack the asphalt overlay above.
Cost to remove an asphalt driveway
The average cost to remove an asphalt driveway is $1 to $3 per square foot, depending on the thickness. This price includes demolishing and hauling away old asphalt. The gravel sub-base may stay in place after removing the old asphalt if it's in good condition.
Asphalt driveway base
Installing a new gravel sub-base for a driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot on average. The asphalt driveway base material is 4 to 8 inches of gravel. Contractors either fill and grade the existing foundation or completely replace it, depending on the condition.
Blacktop driveway cost factors
A new blacktop driveway costs $3 to $7 per square foot on average. Cost factors that affect the total estimate include the:
Driveway size, shape, design, and accessibility
Asphalt quality, thickness, and current cost
Rock base foundation requirements (below the asphalt)
Grading and excavation preparation
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Excavating difficult terrain | $1 – $3 per square foot |
| Leveling land costs | $1 to $2 per square foot |
| Stamped or colored asphalt (total) | $5 – $15 per square foot |
| Heated driveway (total) | $12 – $28 per square foot |
| Tree removal | $180 – $700 each |
| Tree stump removal | $50 – $300 each |
| Widen driveway | $3 – $7 per square foot |
| Driveway permit | $50 – $150 |
| Trench or channel drain | $400 – $2,400 per driveway |
*Permits are typically required for all areas near public roads. Consult with your HOA about fees and restrictions.
Cost to install stamped or colored asphalt
Colored or stamped asphalt costs $5 to $15 per square foot or $2,400 to $6,000 for a new or replacement 20'x20' driveway. Resurfacing the top layer instead costs $3 to $8 per square foot. Decorative patterns are sealcoated, which colors and protects the surface.
| Application | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Resurfacing | $3 – $8 |
| Paving new | $5 – $12 |
| Replacement | $6 – $15 |
Heated asphalt driveway cost
A heated driveway costs $12 to $28 per square foot installed, depending on if the system is electric or hydronic. An average 2-car heated driveway with asphalt repaving costs $6,900 to $16,000. Heating an asphalt driveway prevents ice and snow accumulation.
Cost to widen asphalt driveway
The average cost to widen an asphalt driveway is $3 to $7 per square foot. Expanding a single-car asphalt driveway to a double-car costs $600 to $1,400 on average. These prices include excavation, preparing the sub-base, and paving.
Asphalt driveway costs near you
Asphalt paving prices are higher in large urban areas with a higher cost of living.
| State | Average cost |
|---|---|
| California | $1,300 – $4,600 |
| Colorado | $1,200 – $4,300 |
| Connecticut | $1,300 – $4,600 |
| Florida | $1,100 – $4,000 |
| Georgia | $1,100 – $4,000 |
| Illinois | $1,200 – $4,400 |
| Massachusetts | $1,400 – $4,700 |
| Michigan | $1,200 – $4,200 |
| New Hampshire | $1,200 – $4,200 |
| New York | $1,400 – $4,700 |
| North Carolina | $1,100 – $4,000 |
| Ohio | $1,200 – $4,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,200 – $4,200 |
| Texas | $1,200 – $4,400 |
*Based on total costs of paving a new 400-square-foot asphalt driveway.
Asphalt material cost
Asphalt prices are $40 to $80 per ton, plus $4 to $9 per ton for delivery. One ton of asphalt covers 30 to 80 square feet, depending on the thickness. The average residential driveway requires 7.5 to 18 tons of asphalt. Asphalt aggregate with more gravel and stone increases strength and durability.
Asphalt driveway thickness
A new residential driveway needs 3 to 5 inches of asphalt over 4 to 8 inches of rock-base foundation to withstand temperature changes and last 20+ years.
Some companies recommend a 2" thickness to save $0.50 to $1 per square foot but won't provide a warranty due to deterioration risks.
| Application | Asphalt thickness (inches) |
|---|---|
| Overlay / resurfacing | 1.5 – 2 |
| Sidewalk / walkway | 2 |
| Residential driveway paving | 3 – 5 |
| Commercial parking lots / roads | 5 – 11 |
In climates with extreme winters, consult a soil engineer from a paving company for personalized asphalt-thickness and paving material recommendations.
Is 2 inches of asphalt enough for a driveway?
Using 1.5 to 2 inches of asphalt is enough when resurfacing an existing driveway. Using only 2 inches of asphalt for a new driveway significantly reduces the driveway's life and damages more easily with temperature swings. A new residential driveway needs 3 to 5 inches of asphalt for regular cars.
Asphalt driveway cost vs. concrete
| Factor | Asphalt | Concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Cost* | $3 – $7 per square foot | $4 – $8 per square foot |
| Lifespan | 15 – 30 years | 30 – 40 years |
| Curing time | 1 – 3 days | 7 – 30 days |
| Maintenance |
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| Suitable locations |
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Is asphalt cheaper or more expensive than concrete?
An asphalt driveway is cheaper than concrete, at $3 to $7 per square foot. In comparison, a concrete driveway costs $4 to $8 per square foot with installation. Concrete materials are more expensive than asphalt.
A tar and chip driveway costs $2 to $5 per square foot but only lasts 7 to 10 years.
Asphalt driveway FAQs
How long does an asphalt driveway last?
An asphalt driveway lasts 15 to 30 years. The life expectancy depends on the climate, traffic level, asphalt grade, installation quality, foundation base type, soil type and drainage, and proper maintenance. Asphalt deteriorates fastest when water freezes and thaws inside the pavement's cracks.
To extend the driveway's lifespan:
Install proper drainage.
Let new asphalt cure for 48 to 72 hours minimum.
Seal every 3 to 5 years and repair asphalt cracks and holes quickly.
Don't drive on the edges.
Does a paved driveway increase property value?
Adding a paved driveway increases a home's value and curb appeal. If most homes in the neighborhood have gravel driveways, a paved driveway sets a house apart, increasing its value. If other homes have paved driveways, replacing a gravel driveway with concrete or asphalt increases the value.
DIY asphalt driveway cost
Asphalt paving is not a DIY project due to the safety hazards and permit requirements. Hiring a pro guarantees a long-lasting asphalt driveway.
DIY asphalt paving risks:
The heavy machinery needed includes a skid-steer loader, dump truck, industrial roller, and a plate compactor. Some require a commercial driver’s license and training to rent.
Soil engineers recommend the right asphalt thickness and base type for each property. Installing the wrong thickness or base results in a weak driveway that cracks easily.
Without a professional to check the driveway slope and drainage before paving, rainwater erodes the foundation.
Without knowing the location of underground electrical wires and plumbing, expensive damage to city utilities is likely.
The only DIY asphalt projects suitable for homeowners are patching holes, cracks, and sealcoating.
Hiring blacktop driveway contractors
Before hiring asphalt paving contractors, be sure to:
Compare at least three estimates to compare. Take pictures of your existing driveway and estimate the total square footage up front to send to pros.
Read the company's reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Only work with contractors who have at least 5+ years of experience.
Avoid companies offering discounts by selling old, leftover asphalt.
Look for companies certified with the state’s Department of Transportation asphalt training programs, the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT), or similar programs.
Discuss your sub-base foundation options. Make sure the company compacts a 4-inch base with a vibratory roller before paving.
Ask for copies of the contract, detailed estimate, and warranty upfront.
Do not pay in full before construction starts. Always negotiate a payment schedule.
Getting driveway paving quotes
Ask the following questions when getting driveway paving quotes:
Does this paving quote include all paving materials and labor fees? What additional costs can I expect?
How will you handle the cleanup, and does it cost extra?
How many years have you been paving driveways?
Can I see your company’s business license, insurance, and bond guarantees?
What kind of asphalt do you use, and how long should it last?
Does your work include sealant?
Can you provide a construction schedule for removing debris, grading, spreading a base, paving the asphalt, and compacting?
How many workers will come, and who supervises the crew?
Do you mark the underground utilities before construction starts?
How will the contractors protect my surrounding landscaping?
How much space is needed for paving equipment and large trucks?
Can I see photos of your past work?
How do you handle unexpected project delays?
What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
What does your warranty include?