How much does it cost to repair a driveway?

Driveway repair cost

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. Repaving a driveway costs $5 to $13 per square foot.

Average driveway repair cost estimates

*Based on 1,192 project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Driveway repair cost by type

Repair prices vary depending on the driveway materials.

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 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 SF.

Asphalt driveway repair cost

Asphalt driveway repairs cost $250 to $800 on average. 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, while saw-cut repairs cost $4 to $12 per square foot.

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.

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.

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.

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Common concrete driveway repair costs

*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.

• Occurs when the top layer of concrete flakes away, creating a pitted surface and exposing the aggregate or rebar.
• Caused by moisture in concrete and are 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 repair cracks in a concrete driveway is $0.50 to $3 per linear foot. Minimum service fees of $100 to $250 apply to patch, seal, and fix cracks. 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.

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 of 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.

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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 depend on the extent of damage, location, landscape, sealing, and travel.

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.

Driveway landscape

Repair costs are typically higher for driveways with sharp curves or steep slopes or where large trees and obstructions prevent easy access for repair crews.

Driveway sealing

Driveway sealing costs $0.20 to $0.70 per square foot for asphalt or $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot for concrete. Professionals recommend resealing an asphalt driveway every 3 years or 3 to 9 months after any repairs, resurfacing, or repaving. Sealers protect the driveway's surface, improve it's durability, and preserve its appearance.

Travel fee

Most contractors charge a minimum fee of $100 to $250 to bring their equipment and crew to a job site.

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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.

• Age – Homeowners should 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.

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.

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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.

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Getting driveway repair price quotes

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

• Get at least three pricing 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, 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

• Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
• How do you handle damages that happen on the job?
• What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
• What does your warranty policy include?
• What is your payment schedule?

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