How Much Does Asphalt Removal Cost? [2026 Data]

Asphalt Removal Cost Factors

Ultimately, the level of complexity involved in removing asphalt on your property will determine the cost of this project.

Driveway Size

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.

Asphalt Depth

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.

Labor

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

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.

Accessibility

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.

Location

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.

Asphalt Driveway Removal Ongoing Costs

Once an asphalt driveway has been removed, a homeowner must decide what to do with the space that's left.

Installing a New Driveway

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

Driveway Sealing

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.

Why You Should Hire a Pro for Asphalt Driveway Removal

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.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire an asphalt driveway removal pro

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 DIY parts of the 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.

Cost of Common Asphalt Removal Add-Ons

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

Ways You Can Save Money While Removing an Asphalt Driveway

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.

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 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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