Written by

Sarah Noel

October 6, 2023

Edited by

Kristen Cramer

Fact-checked by

Tom Grupa

Asphalt repair cost

Asphalt repairs cost $250 to $800 on average. Filling potholes costs $100 to $400. Blacktop driveway repair costs $250 to $800 on average. Repairing an asphalt driveway, road, or parking lot costs $2 to $5 per square foot for hot-patch repairs. Asphalt crack filling costs $0.50 to $3.00 per linear foot.

• Untreated potholes lead to faster pavement deterioration.

• Asphalt repair costs depend on the size, depth, and repair method.

• Minimum call-out fees of $100 to $250 apply to all asphalt repairs.

• Sealcoating the asphalt driveway after repairs gives a longer-lasting finish.

Asphalt repair cost per square foot

Hot asphalt repair costs $2 to $5 per square foot on average. Asphalt crack repair costs $0.50 to $3.00 per linear foot. Depending on the repair method, asphalt repairs cost $2 to $12 per square foot. An additional service fee of $100 to $250 applies to all asphalt repairs.

Cost to fill a pothole

Filling or repairing potholes costs $100 to $400 on average, depending on the size, depth, extent of the damage, and repair method. Pothole patching costs $25 to $40 per pothole plus $100 to $250 for bringing out the machinery and crew.

Pothole prevention and treatment tips:

• Potholes start with moisture getting into the cracks.

• Repair cracks immediately before they deteriorate into potholes.

• Resurfacing is a better option for driveways with many potholes.

Asphalt crack filling or sealing cost

Asphalt crack filling or sealing costs $0.50 to $3.00 per square foot, depending on the paving condition and prep work. Active cracks of 1/8 to 3/4 inches need sealer with rubberized asphalt. Asphalt contractors fill larger, stable cracks with asphalt emulsion.

• Cracking is a sign of sub-base failure or poor drainage.

• Crack filling is a short-term solution, lasting 1 to 2 years.

• Crack sealing repairs last 3 to 8 years.

• Crack sealing prevents water and debris from entering the cracks.

• A $100 to $250 minimum service fee applies.

Asphalt patching cost

Asphalt patching costs $50 to $300 on average, depending on the size and repair method. The cheapest way to repair an asphalt driveway is with cold-mix asphalt, which costs $2 to $4 per square foot. Hot-mix asphalt repairs are more permanent and always require professional installation.

Cold-patch asphalt price

Cold patch asphalt repairs cost $2 to $4 per square foot installed. It is a less-effective and temporary fix, often used in the winter when the temperature is too cold for hot-mix asphalt. Some cold-patch materials take longer to cure than hot asphalt.

Hot-patch asphalt cost

Hot-patch asphalt surface repairs cost $2 to $5 per square foot, depending on the replacement size. Contractors fill the damaged area with new hot asphalt and compact it into place. Hot-mix surface patches typically replace 2 inches of asphalt but last only 1 to 2 years.

Do not do quick hot-asphalt surface patches if:

• Alligator cracks surround the hole.

• The damage goes down to the gravel driveway foundation.

• The existing asphalt driveway also has drainage problems or an un-level surface.

Cost to saw cut asphalt

Saw-cut asphalt repairs cost $4 to $12 per square foot, depending on the damage's depth and call-out fees. Contractors saw out deteriorated, old asphalt and fill the area with a new gravel base and hot-mix asphalt. After compacting, a binding tack coat seals joints to prevent water intrusion.

• Best method for full-depth asphalt replacement

• Ideal repair technique for alligator-cracked pavement

• Provides a clean-looking patched area

Infrared asphalt repair

Infrared asphalt repair costs $2 to $6 per square foot, depending on the patch size. Infrared heating loosens the old surface so that pavers can add new asphalt and rejuvenators. After reheating and compacting, the new asphalt patch is seamlessly level with the surrounding asphalt.

Pros and cons of infrared asphalt repairs:

• More cost-effective than full asphalt replacement.

• This permanent solution prevents future water intrusion.

• Unlike hot asphalt, infrared repairing works all year round.

• Repairing a patch takes 15 to 30 min on average.

• The new surface is drivable almost immediately.

• Infrared methods can only replace asphalt up to 3 inches deep.

• This technique does not fix crocodile cracks.

Cost factors for asphalt repairs

Asphalt driveways are cheaper to fix than concrete driveways. Additional cost factors that influence the asphalt repair cost:

• Surface – A sloped surface requires more grading.

• Accessibility – Expect greater costs for hard-to-access areas.

• Asphalt condition – Heavily damaged asphalt requires top layer resurfacing or replacement.

• Permits – Repaving work requires permits that cost $50 to $150 based on city or municipality regulations.

• Hot asphalt transportation costs – Homeowners living more than 15 to 20 miles away from hot-asphalt plants have additional driver-delivery fees of $40 to $65 per hour.

• Excavation – Earthwork or excavation costs $1 to $5 per square foot.

• Minimum service fee – Costs typically start at $100 to $250, which includes small repairs. More prominent companies have higher minimum prices.

• Colored or stamped asphalt – Extra materials and labor costs of $2 to $5 per square foot apply to install asphalt with matching colors or designs.

Asphalt driveway repair cost

Depending on the driveway’s age and the level of damages, asphalt driveway repairs include either patching, resurfacing, or repaving. A paving contractor should inspect the asphalt pavement and foundation conditions to provide the best solution.

Asphalt apron repair cost

Asphalt garage apron repair costs $2 to $5 per square foot to fill and level the sunken pavement. Replacing a 2-car (10’x20’) garage or driveway apron costs $800 to $2,000 on average or $4 to $10 per square foot and is a more permanent solution.

Local building codes regulate asphalt driveway apron repairs where the driveway meets the road or public sidewalks. Check with the city building department to get the necessary permits that cost an additional $40 to $70.

Asphalt driveway sinking

Repairing a sinking asphalt driveway costs $2 to $5 per square foot to fill and level small surface areas. Replacing sunken sections costs $4 to $10 per square foot for driveways with foundation issues. Hire an asphalt repair specialist to diagnose the problem.

Common causes for a sinking driveway:

• Improperly compacted foundation

• Erosion and water-drainage problems

• Decomposing debris underground

• Uneven foundation settling with homes 1 to 3 years old

• Broken utility lines under the driveway foundation

Asphalt sealing cost

Asphalt sealing costs $1 to $2 per square foot with installation or $400 to $800 total on average for 400 square feet. Professional pavers recommend sealing an asphalt driveway 3 to 9 months after any repairs, resurfacing, or repaving. While sealcoating does not fix cracks, it does protect the asphalt surface to help extend its lifespan.

The benefits of asphalt sealant include:

• Adding UV protection that strengthens the asphalt binders

• Waterproofing the surface to stop freeze-and-thaw cycle cracking

• Protecting asphalt against light wear and tear for 3 to 5 years

• Restoring the look of new asphalt

Asphalt overlay or resurfacing

Asphalt resurfacing costs $1 to $3 per square foot and boosts curb appeal. An asphalt overlay includes patching cracks and adding a 1.5 to 2.0-inch top layer of hot asphalt on the existing asphalt. Sometimes contractors also mill off the old asphalt surface if it has heavy damages.

Resurface and install a new layer of asphalt when:

• The pavement requires repairs every year.

• The asphalt is less than 15 to 20 years old.

• Less than 25 to 30% of the surface area has damages.

• Cracks are less than 2 inches deep.

• The driveway base is still stable and level.

• Rainwater drainage around the driveway is not a problem.

Full replacement or repaving

Removing and replacing a 2-car asphalt driveway costs $2,300 to $5,750 on average or $4 to $10 per square foot. Signs like spreading alligator cracks indicate that a new paving foundation is necessary to prevent further damages. The asphalt needs replacement to stabilize pavement above settling soil.

Replace an asphalt driveway when:

• Cracks cover 60 to 70% or more of the pavement surface.

• The driveway has multiple potholes.

• Pavement cracks are 1 to 2+ inches deep.

• The driveway is older than 20 to 30 years.

• Homeowners have chronic drainage problems around the driveway.

• The surface of the pavement has buckled.

DIY asphalt repair

Homeowners can handle do-it-yourself asphalt driveway repair work for small cracks and potholes with asphalt cold-patch compounds. A 50-lb. bag of asphalt costs $8 to $20 on average. However, this patching method is a temporary solution that only lasts for about 1 year.

How to repair an asphalt driveway

Fill cracks bigger than 1/2 inch wide or potholes with cold-patch asphalt compound. Cold-patch asphalt prices are $8 to $20 per 50-lb. bag. Each bag covers 5 to 7 square feet at a 1-inch depth. Cold-mix asphalt is available at home improvement stores.

Follow these steps to patch asphalt driveway cracks:

1. Clean the pothole of loose dirt and debris.

2. Fill and level the cold-patch material into the hole with a shovel.

3. Overfill by 1/2 inch and flatten the material down with a hand tamper.

4. Drive over the patched surface to compact it down completely.

5. Fill the hole with more cold-patch as necessary and continue compacting until it’s level with the pavement.

Hiring an asphalt repair company

If the asphalt surface is no longer level and has extensive cracks or holes, hire an asphalt paving professional.

Hire an asphalt repair contractor or smaller company for minor asphalt repairs. Larger asphalt companies typically do resurfacing or repaving jobs only.

• Compare three estimates from different paving contractors.

• Beware of companies that pave by hand instead of with paving machines.

• Choose a certified company affiliated with the state’s Department of Transportation asphalt training programs, the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT), or similar road-construction education programs.

• Select contractors with a minimum of 1 to 2 years of experience.

• Review their feedback on HomeGuide and Google.

• Request copies of the contract, detailed estimate, and warranty before construction.

• Don’t pay in full before the work begins. Instead, negotiate a payment schedule upon reaching project milestones.

Questions to ask

• How many asphalt driveways have you repaired?

• What materials do you use as a base to stabilize the new surface?

• Does this estimate include all the material and labor fees?

• What additional fees do you typically charge for a repair like this?

• Will you need more space around the driveway for paving equipment?

• How long do I have to wait before driving on the repaired asphalt?

• Can I see before and after photos of your past repairs?

• How do you manage unexpected project delays?

• Can I see your company’s business license, insurance, and bond guarantees?

• If the repair affects city property like sidewalks, will you pull the permits?

• Do you offer a warranty on your work?