How much does a driveway cost?

New driveway cost

A new driveway costs $3 to $12 per square foot on average. The average cost to build a driveway is $1,700 to $6,900 for materials and installation. Driveway prices depend on the size, the material put in (concrete, asphalt, gravel, etc.), and if it's a new install or replacement.

Driveway cost calculator

Enter the length and width of the driveway in feet below to estimate the cost.

*Based on 1,564 project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

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Cost to build a driveway by type

The cost to build a driveway ranges from $600 to $18,000, depending on the material. The cheapest driveways cost $1 to $3 per square foot for gravel, while standard concrete and asphalt driveways cost $3 to $8 per square foot.

*Based on a 600 square foot driveway.

Concrete driveway

Installing a concrete driveway costs $2,400 to $4,800 on average or $4 to $8 per square foot for plain gray concrete. Adding decorative colors, borders, stamped patterns, and finishes costs $8 to $18 per square foot. Concrete lasts 30 to 40 years and handles hot climates better than asphalt.

Asphalt / blacktop driveway

Asphalt driveway paving costs $3 to $7 per square foot or $1,800 to $4,200 on average for a 600 square foot two-car driveway. Blacktop lasts 15 to 30 years and withstands freezing temperatures better than concrete but requires sealing every 3 to 5 years.

Gravel driveway

Gravel driveways cost $1 to $3 per square foot or $600 to $1,800 for a two-car driveway. Gravel is the cheapest driveway surface and lasts up to 100 years with a stable foundation and proper maintenance.

Well-built gravel driveways require light raking and new gravel once or twice a year. Gravel prices range from $10 to $50 per ton, depending on the stone size and type.

Chip seal driveway

Chip seal driveways cost $1,200 to $3,000 or $2 to $5 per square foot. Chip seal, also called tar and chip, lasts 7 to 10 years. Tar and chip driveways have the durability of blacktop, come in various colors, and feature layers of stone aggregate spread over hot liquid asphalt.

Heated driveway

Radiant heated driveways cost $12 to $28 per square foot installed or $7,200 to $16,800 for a two-car driveway. Heated driveways can be topped with asphalt, concrete, or pavers and cost $120 to $600 per winter to operate.

Snow melting driveway mats cost $1,600 each to cover the tire track area only and can be rolled up by homeowners and stored the rest of the year.

Concrete, brick, or cobblestone paver driveway

Driveway pavers cost $10 to $30 per square foot on average installed or $6,000 to $18,000 for a two-car driveway. High-end concrete block, paving stones, or brick paver driveways cost $25 to $50 per square foot. Driveway pavers last 25 to 75 years, depending on maintenance and weather.

Permeable pavement

• Permeable pavers cost $8 to $30 per square foot installed or $4,800 to $18,000 on average.
• Porous asphalt costs $7 to $13 per square foot.
• Pervious concrete costs $8 to $16 per square foot and drains faster than porous asphalt or permeable pavers.

Grass driveway cost

Grass driveway pavers cost $4 to $12 per square foot or $2,400 to $7,200 on average, depending on if it's concrete or plastic. Grass block pavers – also known as grow-through or turf block pavers – allow water to sink into the grid system while grass grows through the holes.

Sod installation costs $0.90 to $1.80 per square foot for a plain grass parking area and is only recommended for places that get minimal traffic.

Exposed aggregate / pebble driveway

Exposed aggregate or pebble finish driveways cost $5 to $11 per square foot or $3,000 to $6,600 on average. Exposed aggregate features stones mixed into concrete or seeded on the surface. Natural aggregates provide a textured, nonskid surface in various colors, including pastels, earth tones, and deep reds and blues.

Rubber driveway cost

Rubber driveways cost $6 to $11 per square foot or $3,600 to $6,600 and are made of eco-friendly recycled rubber poured over existing concrete or asphalt. Rubber driveways are durable, weather-resistant, easy to clean and maintain, and can be customized with different colors and patterns.

Circular driveway cost

Circular driveways cost 10% to 20% more than straight driveways because building a curved shape requires more labor and installation time. Wrap-around driveways take up more yard space but add curb appeal and provide a way for vehicles to enter and exit easily.

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Driveway installation cost factors

Driveway installation costs $3 to $12 per square foot on average, depending on the driveway size, site conditions, and material selected:

• Driveway size, material, and thickness have the most significant impact on the total project cost.
• Labor typically makes up 50% of the total project cost.
• Designs with stamped patterns, colored stains, finishes, or stencils add $2 to $15 per square foot.
• Borders featuring stone or brick pavers cost $10 to $25 per square foot.
• Adding rebar or wire mesh to concrete for strength costs $1 to $3 per square foot.
• Excavation costs $1 to $5 per square foot to remove plants, soil, and small trees from the driveway site.
• Grading and site prep costs $5 to $8 per square foot and ensures the sub-base is stable, and the driveway allows water to drain correctly. Costs increase for heavily sloped sites.
• A new drainage system costs $400 to $2,400 to add trenches or channels along the driveway.
• Location affects material and labor prices. Installation costs more in major cities with a higher cost of living.
• Accessibility and terrain also affect the price. Driveways with landscape obstructions that make it difficult to maneuver heavy equipment cost more to install.
• Adding an automatic driveway gate costs $2,000 to $5,000 on average to install.

Driveway cost per square foot

*Based on the $3 to $12 per square foot average range.

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Cost to replace or redo a driveway

Driveway replacement costs $4 to $15 per square foot, including $1 to $3 per square foot to remove the old driveway and haul away the debris. The cost to redo a driveway depends on the material, site conditions, and whether the existing subbase is reusable.

*Based on a 600 square foot driveway.

Cost to widen driveway

Widening a driveway costs $3 to $12 per square foot, depending on the materials. Adding 200 square feet of driveway surface costs $600 to $2,400 on average. Minimum and maximum driveway widths may be subject to local zoning regulations.

Driveway extension cost

The cost to extend a driveway runs $3 to $12 per square foot, depending on materials and site conditions. A driveway extension may require additional excavation, a new drainage system, and a new paved apron where the driveway meets the public street.

Driveway resurfacing

Asphalt driveway resurfacing costs $1 to $3 per square foot. Concrete resurfacing costs $3 to $7 per square foot. Resurfacing involves removing the driveway's damaged top layer and overlaying it with new concrete or asphalt, which gives the look of a new driveway at a lower cost.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest type of driveway?

The cheapest driveway material is gravel at $1 to $3 per square foot using aggregate made of crushed shells, crushed concrete or asphalt, or pea gravel. Tar and chip seal driveways are the second cheapest at $2 to $5 per square foot.

How long does a driveway last?

Asphalt driveways last 15 to 30 years, and concrete driveways last 30 to 40 years on average, depending on the climate and usage. Brick and stone pavers last 25 to 50 years. A cobblestone or gravel driveway lasts up to 100 years if well-maintained.

How long before you can drive on a new driveway?

Asphalt driveways take 48 to 72 hours minimum to cure. Concrete driveways take 7 to 10 days before the concrete cures enough to drive or park a passenger car on it. You can drive on a new gravel or paver driveway immediately after installation is complete.

When to seal a new driveway?

Asphalt driveways require sealing every 3 to 5 years and 3 to 9 months after any repairs, resurfacing, or repaving. Asphalt driveway sealing costs $100 to $190, depending on the number of coats. Concrete driveways don't require sealing, but sealers protect the surface from moisture and stains.

Do I need a permit to redo my driveway?

A driveway permit costs $50 to $200, depending on location. Most cities require permits for new driveway installations and replacements but not for repairs. Some municipalities waive the permit fee if there is already a paved apron connecting the property to a public street.

Does a new driveway add value to a house?

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.

How much does it cost to repair a driveway?

Driveway repair costs $100 to $400 to fix cracks and patch potholes or $600 to $3,000 for major repairs or resurfacing. Asphalt driveway repair costs $2 to $5 per square foot on average. Concrete driveway repair costs $3 to $8 per square foot to fix crumbling or spalling.

DIY driveway cost

While small driveway repairs may be suitable DIY projects, new driveway installation often involves heavy industrial machinery and requires specific skills and experience. Most installations require a team of two or more people working together. Hire a professional contractor for the best results.

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Getting driveway quotes

Before hiring a driveway installer and signing a contract, be sure to:

• Look for contractors experienced in installing the driveway material you selected. Most contractors specialize in only one surface material.
• Ensure the estimate includes the subgrade and base, thickness of the pavement, overall cost by line-item, and payment schedule.
• Get at least three quotes to compare. Most installers require an onsite visit to provide an accurate estimate.
• Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for longer than five 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 upfront. Come up with a payment schedule for the work completed.

Questions to ask driveway contractors

• Can you provide me examples or addresses of your previous driveway paving jobs?
• Will you be using control joints or wooden expansion joints to minimize concrete cracking?
• Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
• Does the estimate include all materials and labor fees? What additional costs can I expect?
• What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
• How do you handle damages that happen on the job?
• What does your warranty policy include?
• What is your payment schedule?

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