How much does paving an asphalt driveway cost?

How much does paving an asphalt driveway cost?

How much does paving an asphalt driveway cost?

$3 – $7cost per square foot
$1,200 – $4,000average 2-car driveway cost

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$3 – $7 cost per square foot

$1,200 – $4,000 average 2-car driveway cost


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Sarah Noel
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Sarah Noel
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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.

Asphalt driveway paving cost - chart
Asphalt driveway paving cost - chart
Asphalt driveway paving cost
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.

New circular asphalt driveway paving residential house
New circular asphalt driveway paving residential house

Average cost to pave a driveway

The following table shows the average cost to pave a 2-car driveway (400 to 600 SF).

Average cost to pave a driveway - chart
Average cost to pave a driveway - chart
Average cost to pave a driveway
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.

Repaving a long asphalt driveway
Repaving a long asphalt driveway

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.

Asphalt paving cost per square foot - chart
Asphalt paving cost per square foot - chart
Asphalt paving cost per square foot
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

Find top-rated asphalt driveway contractors near you.

Other asphalt paving costs

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.

Cost to pave an asphalt road - chart
Cost to pave an asphalt road - chart
Asphalt road paving cost
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

Contractors paving private asphalt road
Contractors paving private asphalt road

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.

Backyard blacktop paving cost
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.

30x30 backyard basketball court constructed with asphalt millings
30x30 backyard basketball court constructed with asphalt millings

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.

Cost to repave driveway per square foot - chart
Cost to repave driveway per square foot - chart
Cost to repave driveway
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.

Residential 2-car asphalt driveway resurfacing - before and after
Residential 2-car asphalt driveway resurfacing - before and after
  • 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.

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.

  1. Installers cut out and patch potholes first with stabilized base asphalt.

  2. Contractors spread self-adhesive fabric over the expansion joints.

  3. The entire concrete surface gets a layer of geotextile paving fabric to secure it.

  4. Contractors spread 3 to 4 inches of hot-mix asphalt and compact it.

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

Blacktop driveway cost estimator
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.

2-car asphalt driveway paving for residential house
2-car asphalt driveway paving for residential house
Compare prices and reviews from local asphalt pros.

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.

Colored or stamped asphalt cost
Application Average cost per square foot
Resurfacing $3 – $8
Paving new $5 – $12
Replacement $6 – $15

Heated asphalt driveway cost

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.

Asphalt driveway costs near me
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.

Asphalt driveway thickness
Application Asphalt thickness (inches)
Overlay / resurfacing 1.5 – 2
Sidewalk / walkway 2
Residential driveway paving 3 – 5
Commercial parking lots / roads 5 – 11

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

Concrete vs. asphalt driveway cost - chart
Concrete vs. asphalt driveway cost - chart
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
  • Reseal every 3 to 5 years
  • Cracks are easy to fix
  • Occasional degreasing
  • Optional sealing
  • Breaks easier
  • Harder and more expensive to repair
Suitable locations
  • Last longer in cooler Northern regions
  • Requires good drainage
  • Endures hot climates and coastal regions best
  • Resists water damage better than asphalt

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.

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.

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?