How Much Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost? [2026 Data]

The average asphalt driveway cost is $5,268, but totals can range from as low as $3,129 to as high as $7,407. Most homeowners pay between $7 and $15 per square foot, including labor. The new driveway's size, depth, gradient, and finish are all factors that influence the final total. 

Costs can also vary depending on whether you're installing a completely new driveway or upgrading a current driveway with an overlay. This guide to budgeting for an asphalt driveway will give you an idea of what this project will cost you.

Cost of Asphalt Driveways by Project Type

The cost to pave a driveway depends on the complexity of the project. It's not just the labor costs that increase, either. For some projects, you'll need more gravel or crushed stone for a deeper base layer, and for others, you'll need a thicker layer of asphalt.

Here's what you can expect to pay for an asphalt driveway based on project type:

New Asphalt Driveway Cost

A new asphalt driveway, without any dramatic leveling or grading, costs $7 to $13 per square foot, including installation. That breaks down to $2 to $6 per square foot for materials and $5 to $7 per square foot for labor. Of course, you can save by buying at least a small percentage of reclaimed asphalt to lower the materials cost. 

But if you go for porous asphalt, you'll pay $3 to $8 for materials and an extra $0.50 to $1 per square foot for additional crushed stone, plus labor costs.

Replacement Asphalt Driveway Cost

Replacing an asphalt driveway costs $8 to $15 per square foot. The cost covers $1 to $2 per square foot for removal of the existing surface, $2 to $6 per square foot for materials, and additional labor costs.

Asphalt Overlay Cost

An asphalt overlay, also called a top coat, costs $3 to $7 per square foot. It’s less expensive because an overlay requires fewer materials and less labor. Instead of removing and replacing the existing surface, a thinner layer of asphalt is poured directly over the old. But an overlay won't save your driveway if it’s covered in holes and spiderweb cracks.

Cost to Install Asphalt Over a Concrete Driveway

Overlaying asphalt onto concrete costs $3 to $7 per square foot, like overlaying old asphalt. While reasonably budget-friendly, this option isn't a long-term solution as it doesn't have the same life expectancy as a new concrete or asphalt driveway. Plus, because concrete expands and contracts, cracks can appear in the asphalt top coat, so you'll need to regularly inspect and patch the driveway.

Cracks are inevitable on asphalt driveways. But a quick repair can add to your home's curb appeal.

Here are cost estimates for installing asphalt over a concrete driveway:

Driveway Size 

The bigger your asphalt driveway, the more you can expect to pay. On average, most driveways are 200 to 800 square feet, depending on if it’s a single- or double-car driveway. The square footage also increases if you have a circular driveway or a large piece of property. That means a new 200-square-foot asphalt driveway can cost $1,400 to $2,600, while an 800-square-foot one ranges between $5,600 and $10,400.

Asphalt Paving Contractor Costs

Labor costs between $5 and $7 per square foot. So, if you have an average-sized driveway of 600 square feet, expect to pay between $3,000 and $4,200 for labor. Labor will increase if you need an old driveway removed or a new one needs significant leveling and grading.

Additional Costs to Consider 

Key factors, including the type of asphalt, finish options, and excavation needs, will affect your project's final costs.

Types of Asphalt

The cost will depend on the type of asphalt driveway you choose. You can minimize costs using recycled materials or pay a little more to add some personality to your driveway, which is an investment in your home’s curb appeal.

Here's what you can expect to pay for an asphalt driveway based on type:

Recycled or Reclaimed Asphalt Cost per Square Foot

A recycled asphalt driveway costs $6.20 to $8.75 per square foot, including installation. Recycled asphalt is an eco-friendly choice that can be much more affordable than new asphalt. On average, you’ll pay $10 to $20 per ton or $0.20 to $0.75 per square foot for recycled asphalt material.

If you remove an existing driveway and your contractor can use the reclaimed asphalt, you’ll pay $1 to $2 per square foot more for labor, but you’ll also save on transport and loading costs. On an average-sized driveway, you could save up to $1,350 on material costs by using recycled asphalt instead of new asphalt.

Standard Asphalt Cost per Square Foot

A new, plain asphalt driveway costs between $7 and $13 per square foot. That includes $5 to $7 per square foot for materials and $2 and $6 per square foot for labor. You also need to consider the hardcore or gravel layer between the soil and the blacktop, which costs an additional $0.50 to $1 per square foot.

Porous Asphalt Cost per Square Foot

Porous asphalt costs between $3 and $8 per square foot and lets water drain easily instead of running into the gutters or your lawn. It effectively minimizes runoff, so you can save on leveling and grading, which is not as necessary with a porous driveway. Remember that you'll also need an extra layer of crushed stone beneath the blacktop for better drainage.

Stamped or Colored Asphalt Cost per Square Foot

A stamped driveway or one made using colored asphalt material costs $10 to $17 per square foot, including installation. Materials for this type of asphalt cost $2 to $6 per square foot, while labor costs $8 to $11 per square foot. The average 600-square-foot driveway costs between $6,000 and $10,200.

These driveway types give you a custom, high-end look that stands out from normal blacktop surfaces. Stamped or colored asphalt can also give your home extra curb appeal, making it a good investment if you plan to sell your home in the future.

Heated Blacktop Cost per Square Foot

Materials for a heated blacktop driveway cost $12 to $25 per square foot, which includes $7 to $13 per square foot for the asphalt driveway and $5 to $12 per square foot for the heating system installed below the asphalt. So, if you have a standard 600-square-foot driveway, a heated driveway costs between $7,200 and $15,000 to install, including the heating system.

Excavation and Grading Costs

Before an area can be paved, it must be leveled so the new driveway is smooth and drains easily. Trees and bushes must be excavated, costing $1,500 to $5,100. Grading and leveling costs an additional $5 to $10 per square foot. Expect to pay more if you’re paving a steeper driveway due to the additional work required to make the paved surface safe. If you have a steep gradient, speak to a driveway pro about your best options.

Location

The location of the area you plan to pave can be a big factor in overall cost. For example, a driveway on an incline will cost more than one on a flat surface. You’ll also pay more to pave a larger area, so the further your garage is from the road, the higher your costs.

Here's what you can expect to pay for an asphalt driveway based on U.S. location:

Maintenance

A new asphalt driveway has specific maintenance needs that can increase costs. Asphalt sealing should be done six months after installation to protect the driveway from cracking and other environmental damage. This service costs $3 to $7 per square foot every three to five years.

Asphalt Depth

Asphalt driveways must be at least 2 inches thick, which gives you about 80 square feet of coverage per ton. For a more robust driveway with greater durability and longevity, your contractor may recommend a depth of 4 or 6 inches, which reduces the coverage per ton and increases the amount you'll spend on materials.

Type of Finish

Plain asphalt costs considerably less than stamped or dyed finishes. Again, the installation cost will increase if you live in a cold climate and want a heated driveway.

Foundation Type and Condition

If the driveway and foundation are still reasonably solid, you can save money by adding a top coat instead of replacing the whole driveway surface. But if your driveway is over 20 years old or the foundation is beyond repair, expect to pay more than the cost of a standard installation. Your contractor will need to dig out the old driveway and foundation before adding a new one. 

Why You Should Hire a Driveway Pro

Installing an asphalt driveway on your own costs about $7 per square foot, but we highly recommend working with an experienced and well-reviewed driveway paving contractor near you. Labor may double the cost to install an asphalt driveway, but it saves you a lot of time and grueling labor—and ensures the job is done right, and to code, the first time.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a driveway pro

Hiring a driveway pro may make your asphalt driveway installation costs significantly higher, but it’s well worth the cost because:

• Driveway installation requires highly specialized tools you likely would never use again. If you need to purchase or rent tools like a jackhammer or roller, those costs will eat into your labor savings.

• Driveway paving pros have specialized knowledge, like the best time to repave the driveway to proper asphalt curing times.

• If you try to pave the driveway itself—and do it at the wrong time or don’t allot the right amount of time for the asphalt to cure—the asphalt may only last a year or two before it needs to be redone.

• Paving a driveway requires a lot of time and back-breaking manual labor.

• Driveway pros can obtain the proper construction permits and will ensure all work is up to code.

If you want to DIY a task

If you think you’re up for learning how to pave a driveway with asphalt, you can save a lot of money on labor. Again, most homeowners should not attempt this. But you may be able to save some labor costs by:

• Purchasing the materials yourself

• Applying for the permit on your own

• Sealing the driveway yourself once the pro has paved it

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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