Asphalt driveway service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Professional asphalt driveway removal costs between $4,375 and $5,125, and your driveway size and thickness set the total.
Your asphalt depth and gravel base affect labor, and narrow driveways or steep yards raise equipment access difficulty.
Budget for your replacement with new installation, sealing at $400 to $1,500, drainage upgrades, or a driveway apron.
Hiring a local asphalt company ensures safe demolition and protects your curbs, utilities, and landscaping from damage during the removal process.
Ultimately, the level of complexity involved in removing asphalt on your property will determine the cost of this project.
Most asphalt companies charge by square foot for driveway removal. With costs averaging $3 to $7 per square foot, homeowners can pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
| Driveway Dimensions | Size (Square Feet) | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| 10x12 | 120 | $360–$850 |
| 20x20 | 400 | $1,200–$2,800 |
| 30x30 | 900 | $2,250–$4,500 |
Depending on how thick the gravel base that supports your existing asphalt driveway is, a contractor may adjust your price to account for the difference in effort needed. In general, asphalt paving should be 3 inches to 4 inches thick with a 4-inch to 6-inch base of gravel. If your paving is shallower, you may see the price of asphalt removal go down.
| Asphalt Thickness (Inches) | Removal Cost by Square Footage |
|---|---|
| 3-4 | $1.50–$3.50 |
| 4-6 | $3–$7 |
| 7-8 | $4.50–$5.50 |
| 8-10 | $6–$9 |
While most contractors charge by square foot, labor often accounts for up to 40% of total asphalt removal cost. On average, asphalt contractors charge $16 to $38 per hour. An asphalt company near you can provide a quote that takes into account the number of hours needed to remove your asphalt driveway based on its size and orientation.
Prep work is minimal for removing an asphalt driveway, so these costs are typically built into an estimate. However, you may need more extensive prep work if you need to remove plants or landscaping before a driveway can be removed. If you need to hire a professional landscaper to help prepare the area, expect to pay between $50 and $100 per hour.
Asphalt removal companies utilize heavy machinery to break up and remove asphalt. If you have a narrow driveway or steep yard, pavement pros will spend more time and effort at your property. Additionally, carrying asphalt away can be more difficult if you have a yard that's hard to access. In general, you can expect contractors to charge 5% to 10% more when a driveway is difficult to access.
In general, contractors in urban areas charge more for asphalt driveway removal due to the complexity of using heavy machinery and hauling away asphalt in congested areas. While rural homeowners can expect to pay $4,000 to $4,300 on average, urban homeowners could pay up to $5,100 to remove a driveway of the same size.
Once an asphalt driveway has been removed, a homeowner must decide what to do with the space that's left.
If the reason for removing an existing asphalt driveway is to replace it with another option, homeowners will need to factor in the cost of adding a new driveway. When keeping with the same material, the typical new asphalt driveway cost ranges from $3,124 to $7,377. If you're able to reuse any of the asphalt from your old driveway, you may be able to save $500 to $700 in materials. Here's what you'll pay for other options:
Concrete driveway: $2,700-$14,500
Gravel driveway: $500-$3,500
Paver driveway: $6,000-$18,000
On average, sealing a new driveway costs $400 to $1,500. The cost to seal concrete driveway specifically ranges from $1.25 to $1.50 per square foot. Depending on the driveway material you've selected for your next driveway, resealing may need to be done every two to five years.
Hiring a local asphalt driveway removal pro costs more upfront, but you benefit from proper demolition techniques, safe debris handling, and efficient site preparation. Pros bring the right equipment—such as skid steers, jackhammers, and dump trailers—and the experience needed to remove asphalt without damaging underlying structures or surrounding landscaping.
Removing an asphalt driveway involves heavy machinery, disposal requirements, and proper grading to prepare the site for whatever comes next. Here are some of the top reasons to work with a pro:
Professionals know how to break up and remove asphalt efficiently while avoiding damage to curbs, edging, utilities, or nearby structures.
They handle the transportation and disposal of asphalt in accordance with local regulations, which can be difficult and expensive for homeowners to manage on their own.
Hiring a pro reduces the risk of uneven excavation, leftover debris, or improper grading that could cause drainage issues or complications for the new driveway.
Many contractors can bundle services such as grading, base preparation, or installing a new driveway surface, helping streamline the entire project.
If you want to take on some tasks yourself, here are a few DIY steps that can help reduce time and labor costs:
Clear vehicles, landscaping items, and outdoor décor from the driveway area to provide easy access for equipment.
Mark any underground utilities or sprinkler lines, even if you’re not removing the asphalt yourself, to help the professional plan safely.
If allowed locally, you can break up and remove small sections of damaged asphalt ahead of time, reducing the amount of labor required during the full removal.
As you reimagine your driveway, you may decide that it's time to add in some extra features while the ground is already exposed. Here are the common add-on features homeowners choose when removing asphalt.
Adding a driveway apron: $1,300–$7,800
Weed removal: $35–$400
Adding drainage: $2,119–$7,114
Excavating to expanding driveway: $1,660–$6,716
Here are some ways to bring down the cost of removing an asphalt driveway:
If you're able to keep your existing driveway pad to use as a foundation for your next driveway, this can shave between $1,600 and $1,800 from your project.
When getting quotes, focus on companies that use excavators instead of manually removing asphalt. This more efficient method can dramatically reduce the time it takes to complete the project.
If you'll be immediately installing a new driveway after your asphalt driveway is removed, try to use the same company for both to get a discount.
Let your pro know the size and thickness of the asphalt area so they can plan the right equipment and disposal needs.
Describe any underlying issues you’ve noticed—like drainage problems, soft spots, or cracks—that may affect removal or replacement options.
Ask whether you need to prep the area beforehand, such as moving vehicles, clearing debris, or marking underground utilities.
Confirm whether unexpected costs could arise from issues like hidden base damage, difficult access for machinery, or higher disposal fees.
If you’re considering follow-up work—like installing new pavement, grading, or adding drainage—ask whether it’s efficient to bundle those services with the removal.
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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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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Archie did a good job cleaning up the driveway before he laid down the sealer. It looks good. He was gracious and even helped me bring up my groceries. His rate was comparable to another company who came out to give me a quote and he talked to me personally rather than just text me a quote...
Pro Seal Roofing & PavingD1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLCFirst of all, the gentleman I dealt with (Cam?) was very responsive to my many questions and concerns throughout the project, which is a huge plus to me. From the first time I met him for the estimate all the way til the completion of the job, he and his crew were professional and respectful....
All Star Paving and SealingWe had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesWorking with Peter and his crew was a breeze. They were exceptionally polite and did a neat job to repair and seal our driveway. I will definitely talk to them first for additional work.
Central PavingWe hired Jim to replace our hardwood floors with new hardwood. He and his helper Jerry did a fantastic job. Their work ethic is impeccable!! We would highly recommend McColl Floors!
The preformed a really good job the staff is incredible never been so happy with my home, A brand new driveway is like a face lift!!
Pristine PavingCalled Mark on a Thursday morning. Not really knowing if he could help me or not. I was having driveway, flooding issues due to a clogged channel drain and I was trying to figure out what direction to take. Heavy rains had come on Monday and again on Thursday leading to flooding in my garage...
Mark Rodgers ConstructionHad already met with 2 other contractors before Blue Ring, and Blue Ring's price quote for the work was better than either of the other 2, and the came out the next morning and cleaned up a very large fallen tree branch from a storm that was blocking my driveway. Work was completed in...
Blue Ring Residential Services, LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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