How much does it cost to repair a driveway?
How much does it cost to repair a driveway?
$100 – $400 Fix small cracks and potholes cost
$600 – $3,000 Major repairs or resurfacing cost
Driveway repair cost
Driveway repair costs $100 to $400 to fix cracks or patch potholes, or $600 to $3,000 for major repairs or resurfacing. Concrete driveway repair costs $3 to $8 per square foot. Asphalt driveway repair costs $2 to $5 per square foot.
Driveway resurfacing costs $1 to $3 per square foot for asphalt or $3 to $7 per square foot for concrete.
In comparison, repaving a new driveway costs $5 to $13 per square foot.
| Project | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Concrete driveway repairs and patching | $3 – $8 |
| Concrete driveway crack repair (per linear foot) | $0.50 – $3 |
| Concrete driveway resurfacing | $3 – $5 |
| Concrete driveway replacement | $4 – $8 |
| Concrete driveway lifting / mudjacking | $3 – $6 |
| Asphalt driveway repairs and patching | $2 – $5 |
| Asphalt driveway repairs (saw cut) | $4 – $12 |
| Asphalt driveway repairs (infrared) | $2 – $6 |
| Asphalt crack filling (per linear foot) | $0.50 – $3 |
| Asphalt driveway resurfacing | $1 – $3 |
| Asphalt driveway repaving | $3 – $7 |
| Brick driveway repair | $2 – $8 |
| Cobblestone driveway repair | $8 – $20 |
| Gravel driveway repair | $0.25 – $2.20 |
Average driveway repair cost estimates
| National average cost | $1,200 |
| Minimum cost | $100 |
| Maximum cost | $3,000 |
| Average range | $300 to $2,500 |
*Based on 1,192 project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Driveway repair cost by type
Repair prices vary depending on the driveway materials.
| Type | Average total cost |
|---|---|
| Concrete | $300 – $3,000 |
| Asphalt | $250 – $800 |
| Brick | $500 – $1,100 |
| Cobblestone | $600 – $1,200 |
| Gravel / Dirt | $50 – $450 |
| Heated | $500 – $5,900 |
Concrete driveway repair cost
Concrete driveway repairs cost $300 to $3,000 for fixing cracks, resurfacing, replacing sections, or leveling. Concrete resurfacing costs $3 to $7 per square foot.
The DIY cost to repair cracks in a concrete driveway is $5 to $10 for sealant and $8 to $12 for pre-mixed patching compound to cover 3 square feet.
Asphalt driveway repair cost
Asphalt driveway repairs cost $250 to $800 on average. Common repairs include:
Filling potholes costs $100 to $400.
Filling cracks in blacktop costs $0.50 to $3.00 per linear foot.
Hot and cold patching costs $2 to $5 per square foot.
Saw-cut repairs cost $4 to $12 per square foot.
Asphalt driveway resurfacing costs $1 to $3 per square foot but is best for pavement that is less than 15 to 20 years old with a good foundation with less than 30% surface damage.
Brick driveway repair cost
Brick pavers cost $0.50 to $1.80 per brick or $2 to $8 per square foot. One benefit of brick paver driveways is that damaged bricks can be replaced individually. Level sunken areas by removing the pavers, filling the space with sand, and compacting the sand until it's flat.
If tree roots spread underneath and lift the bricks, causing an uneven driveway surface, tree removal costs $320 to $800 on average.
Cobblestone driveway repair cost
Repairing a cobblestone driveway costs $8 to $20 per square foot to replace individual stones and $3 to $5 per square foot for sand to fill and level sunken areas.
Settling is the most common problem with cobblestone. Pros charge $6 to $12 per square foot to relevel large areas.
To minimize damage to a cobblestone driveway, use a snow shovel or plow with a poly or rubber cutting edge. Ask snowplow contractors to raise the blade to 1" before entering the driveway.
Gravel driveway repair cost
Gravel driveway repairs cost $0.50 to $2.20 per square foot for re-grading.
Resurfacing with a 3" layer of pea gravel costs $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot on average.
Filling small holes and ruts with new gravel costs $2 to $8 per bag to cover up to 2 cubic feet.
Raking gravel into place several times a year prevents new potholes and ruts from forming.
Heated driveway repair cost
Heated driveway repairs cost $525 to $3,400 to replace the controller, sensor, or electric element. Repairing radiant heating tubes costs $4 to $12 per square foot, including cutting a hole in the driveway and repaving it afterward.
Boiler replacement costs $1,200 to $5,900 for hydronic systems.
Renting a troubleshooting kit to locate the problem yourself costs $300 for five days plus a $1,600 refundable deposit.
Most heated driveway repairs do not require tearing up the entire driveway. Professionals use special equipment to pinpoint the problem's location. Only small holes in the surface are necessary to repair the system.
Common concrete driveway repair costs
| Repair | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Resurfacing concrete | $3 – $5 per square foot |
| Spalling / scaling concrete | $3 – $5 per square foot |
| Filling or sealing cracks | $0.50 – $3 per linear foot |
| Patching potholes | $100 – $400 |
| Settling / sinking / buckling repair | $600 – $1,200 |
| Painting or staining | $2 – $4 per square foot |
| Repaving or replacement | $5 – $13 per square foot |
*Minimum service fees of $100 to $250 apply.
Spalling / scaling repair cost
Concrete spalling repair costs $3 to $5 per square foot or $1,800 to $4,200 for a two-car (600 SF) driveway. Spalling driveway pavers and brickwork costs $0.25 to $4 per brick to repair.
Spalling occurs when the top layer of concrete flakes away, creating a pitted surface and exposing the aggregate or rebar.
Spalling is caused by moisture in concrete and is most common in cold climates with freeze-thaw cycles.
Rock salt and de-icing chemicals worsen the problem.
Driveway settling / sinking / buckling repair cost
Driveway leveling costs $600 to $1,200 to lift a small sinking section or $1,400 to $2,700 to level an entire driveway. Filling and leveling small surface areas costs $2 to $5 per square foot.
Sinking, settling, and buckling are caused by water damage, tree roots, and foundation problems.
Cost to repair cracks in a driveway
The average cost to patch, seal, and fix cracks in a concrete driveway is $0.50 to $3 per linear foot. Minimum service fees of $100 to $250 apply.
Driveway crack filler costs $5 to $10 per bottle to repair 24 linear feet of cracks less than a 1/4" wide yourself.
Cracks wider or deeper than 1/4" typically indicate larger structural issues. Have a structural engineer inspect the driveway to determine the underlying cause before making repairs. Structural engineers charge $100 to $220 per hour.
Average cost to repair a pothole
Filling or repairing potholes costs $100 to $400 on average, depending on the size, depth, extent of the damage, and repair method. Patching costs $25 to $40 per pothole plus $100 to $250 to bring the equipment and crew to the job site.
Driveway fading color repair cost
Staining or painting a concrete driveway to repair fading color costs $2 to $4 per square foot. Fading color typically doesn't indicate a problem. Sealing asphalt every 3 years protects the surface and minimizes fading.
For discolored driveways without cracks, pressure washing costs $0.25 to $0.35 per square foot and improves the driveway's appearance.
Crumbling driveway repair cost
Repairing a crumbling driveway costs $3 to $8 per square foot for asphalt or concrete. Crumbling typically occurs on the pavement edges or near the apron where concrete and asphalt are weakest. Driveway edging costs $1 to $2 per linear foot and reduces crumbling.
Driveways crumbling in several spots signify foundation problems, and replacing the entire driveway may be necessary.
Repaving a driveway
The average cost to repave a driveway is $4 to $13 per square foot or $1,600 to $6,400. Repaving consists of removing the old driveway, repairing the subbase, and repaving with new concrete or asphalt. Consider resurfacing for driveways under 20 years old with minor cracks or spalling.
Factors affecting driveway repair prices
Contractors price driveway repairs by the square foot to patch holes and by the linear foot to repair cracks. Costs factors include:
Extent of damage – Small cracks and holes cost less to repair. If there are spiderweb cracks or large holes, there are likely underlying structural issues that will cause the same problems to recur after repairs. If more than 25% of the driveway is damaged, resurfacing or replacement is more cost-effective.
Landscape – Repair costs are higher for driveways with sharp curves or steep slopes or where large trees and obstructions prevent easy access for repair crews.
Sealing – Driveway sealing costs $1 to $2 per square foot for asphalt or $1 to $3 per square foot for concrete. Sealing protects the driveway's surface, improves its durability, and preserves its appearance.
Travel fees – Most contractors charge a minimum fee of $100 to $250 to bring their equipment and crew to a job site.
Driveway replacement vs. repair
Consider the driveway's age and the extent of damage before repairing. Small, shallow cracks and potholes are good candidates for repair or resurfacing. Replacement is a better option for driveways over 20 years old or with multiple large cracks, buckling, or drainage issues.
| Repair or resurface | Replace |
|---|---|
|
|
Age – Consider replacing asphalt driveways older than 15 to 20 years and concrete driveways older than 25 years. After so many years, the foundation begins to deteriorate, and problems are more likely to recur even after repairs.
Size and number of cracks and holes – If less than 25% of the driveway needs repairs, fill the cracks and patch small holes to extend the driveway's life. Consider repaving if there are cracks over a 1/4" wide, deep holes, structural issues, or if more than 25% of the driveway is damaged.
Drainage problems – If there is standing water on the driveway, consult a professional to evaluate the drainage design before making repairs. Driveway replacement may be necessary to fix severe drainage issues.
Keeping a maintenance schedule – Sealing the driveway every 3 years and filling cracks and potholes immediately when they appear prevents damage from spreading, prolongs the driveway's life, and increases curb appeal.
Driveway resurfacing
Driveway resurfacing costs $1 to $3 per square foot for asphalt or $3 to $7 per square foot for concrete. Resurfacing involves scraping off the driveway's top layer and overlaying it with new concrete or asphalt. An overlay gives the look of a new driveway at a lower cost.
| Material | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Asphalt | $1 – $3 |
| Concrete | $3 – $5 |
Can you pour new concrete over old concrete?
If the existing concrete has only minor cracks or spalling and the base is structurally sound, you can pour new concrete over an existing slab. If the concrete is heaving or has major cracks, removing and replacing the old slab is better than pouring new concrete on top.
DIY driveway repair
DIY driveway repairs may temporarily fix minor cracks and small holes. Most cracks and potholes will continue to spread over time as water seeps in. Hire a professional to fill large potholes or repair cracks wider than 1/4 inch.
Driveway repair kit
DIY driveway repair kits cost $5 to $10 for crack filler or $8 to $30 for ready-mix patching compounds. Handheld trowels and squeegees for working with concrete and asphalt cost $10 to $30.
Home Depot, Lowes, and Amazon sell driveway repair materials to fix small cracks and potholes.
How to fix a driveway
Fix driveway cracks less than 1/4 inch wide with concrete or asphalt filler or sealant available at most hardware stores.
Repair surface damage and fill small potholes with ready-mix patching compounds.
Large cracks and holes require professional repair, resurfacing, or driveway replacement.
Getting driveway repair price quotes
Before hiring a driveway repair contractor or concrete driveway contractor near you and signing a contract, be sure to:
Get at least three estimates to compare.
Let professionals know you’re getting bids from multiple contractors so they offer you their best competitive price.
Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide and Google.
Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for 5+ years.
Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Ask for a written contract and warranty.
Get a full breakdown of all costs involved.
Avoid making large payments up front. Come up with a payment schedule instead.
Questions to ask
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
How long have you been repairing driveways?
Do you recommend repairing or replacing my driveway, and why?
What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
How long will the repairs extend my driveway's life?
How soon will I be able to park on my driveway?
What does your warranty policy include?
What is your payment schedule?