
Asphalt paving costs $3 to $7 per square foot with installation for a driveway, or $1,200 to $6,000 total. The asphalt costs $2 to $4 per square foot, and the excavation and gravel subgrade adds $1 to $3 per square foot. Adding a pattern, color, curb, or sidewalk costs extra.
In comparison, a tar and chip driveway costs $2 to $5 per square foot installed. Tar and chip driveways are made by layering crushed stone and asphalt.
Asphalt paving is a mixture made mostly of gravel, sand, and liquid asphalt. Paving contractors can use any of the following materials to pave a driveway or patio:
A paved driveway adds value and curb appeal to a home, with an average 50% to 75% return on investment. Homes with neat, uniform paving are more attractive to buyers and more likely to sell well.
Asphalt paving lasts 15 to 30 years, depending on the climate, maintenance, traffic, and material quality. Asphalt weakens faster when water freezes and thaws inside the pavement's cracks.
Asphalt driveways require good drainage but tend to last longer in cool Northern regions. Concrete, on the other hand, resists water damage better than asphalt but is much harder to repair when it does break.
Asphalt paving takes 2 to 3 days to dry, depending on the weather and humidity levels. Avoid driving on new asphalt during that time to avoid tire marks and damage.
You should replace your driveway if the cost of repairs would exceed the cost of new paving, or if:
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