How Much Does a New Driveway Cost?

Driveway Cost Factors

Size

The length, width, and thickness of your driveway are major factors when calculating costs. Concrete driveways are typically 4 inches thick, while asphalt driveways measure around 2 to 3 inches thick. If you have heavier vehicles, you may need to make your driveway thicker to accommodate them. Larger driveways take more labor and materials, increasing the overall price.

Labor

Labor usually makes up about 50% of driveway installation costs. For a concrete driveway, labor costs an average of $2 to $3 per square foot. Meanwhile, labor for an asphalt driveway costs about $5 to $7 per square foot. The total price of labor largely depends on the driveway material.

Material

For materials alone, you'll likely spend $1,700 to $7,000, making up around 50% of your project cost and impacting how much design and labor are needed. A basic blacktop or asphalt averages around $3 to $7 per square foot, while on the higher-end if you want a heated driveway or pavers, you'll pay $12 to $18 per square foot.

Design and Shape

The design and shape of a driveway significantly affect its cost, increasing it by 10% to 30%. You can choose a different shape than a typical rectangle or square, such as an L-shape, S-shape, or half-circle. Curved designs cost more since a contractor has to specifically build the forms. Driveway shapes improve the curb appeal of a home and allow multiple points of entry to your property. 

Demo and Removal

The national average cost to demolish and remove a concrete driveway is between $250 and $3,000 or $2 to $6 per square foot. Meanwhile, the national average cost to remove an asphalt driveway ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, or $1 to $3 per square foot. 

The removal costs depend on factors including the size of your driveway, where it’s located, and the accessibility of your driveway. Driveway demolition and removal always include debris disposal and returning the site to grade.

Permits

Permits usually cost an average of $50 to $200 for new driveway installations. Depending on where you live, your city or county may waive the fee if there is a driveway apron that connects the home to a public street. 

Additional Features

There are other costs to consider when including additional features to your driveway. 

Driveway culverts cost an average of $1,500 to $5,000 and the final cost depends on the complexity of the job. Culverts drain water away from your home and create a crossing from the street to your property.

The landscaping design of your driveway also affects the cost significantly. Driveway pavers range between $10 and $50 per square foot, costing around $6,100 to $30,400 for a standard 16-by-38-foot surface area. That price also depends on the materials and location and can increase to $80 per square foot. 

Cost to Build a Driveway by Material

The cost to build a driveway depends primarily on the materials. Higher totals usually relate to the price of supplies and don't necessarily mean it will last longer.

Concrete Driveway

Installing a concrete driveway costs $1,800 to $6,000. You can expect to pay $8 to $18 per square foot, depending on customizations like different colors. It is the most popular material because it can last up to 40 years and has little need for maintenance. Just plan to occasionally repair cracks or remove stains from oil and gas.

A stained driveway costs about $6 to $12 per square foot. This gives driveways a unique look by giving it depth and texture. To achieve this, the stain is added to the concrete while it is still wet. Once the concrete dries, contractors give a stained driveway a polished or matte finish.

A stamped driveway ranges from $8 to $15 per square foot. This gives your driveway a stone or wooden look by stamping wet concrete in a pattern you select. There are many design options for stamped driveways that replicate popular materials including cobblestone, brick, slate, and flagstone. 

Asphalt/Blacktop Driveway

The price to install an asphalt driveway ranges from $3,000 to $6,600, or $7 to $13 per square foot. Many homeowners prefer this material because it handles freezing temperatures and high heat better than concrete.

Asphalt lasts 15 to 20 years, about half as long as concrete. But it takes less time to settle in and dry, usually hours instead of days.

Chip Seal 

A chip seal driveway costs $700 to $3,100, which breaks down to about $5 to $10 per square foot. This surface, also called “tar and chip,” mixes hot asphalt and crushed stones. It’s popular for homeowners who want the appearance and durability of blacktop but have a smaller budget.

You can expect chip seal to last 10 years, significantly less time than asphalt or concrete. It’s also easy to damage with a snowplow.

Heated Driveway

Heated driveways cost $1,300 to $7,500. It's $12 to $25 per square foot and includes installation and a new surface on top. They can be essential to homeowners who live in northern areas with a lot of snowfall and don't want to spend time shoveling.

Heated driveways work with a variety of surfaces:

• Concrete

• Asphalt

• Chip seal

• Pavers

It depends on the product and the manufacturer, so be sure to ask when you get an estimate.

Gravel 

The cost to install a gravel driveway averages $1,500. At $1 to $2 per square foot, it is the least expensive material. It is popular in rural areas and can be composed of rock, sand, and clay.

While laying rocks or a mixture makes installation quick and easy, gravel requires regular maintenance. It lasts about 100 years with good upkeep and periodic addition of new gravel because it doesn't crack, sink or soften – just moves.

Brick or Cobblestone

The price to install driveway pavers ranges from $6,000 to $30,000, at a rate of $10 to $50 per square foot. The total is higher than concrete because of material choices and installation, which takes longer.

Pavers come in a variety of textures and colors, so you can choose styles to match your home perfectly. If they break, crack or shift, you may need to replace them.

Rubber

Installing a poured-in-place rubber driveway costs $3,000 to $15,000, ranging from $10 to $25 per square foot. This material provides a durable surface that is long-lasting, easy to repair, and safe for children.

Unlike most driveway options, rubber is non-porous, which means water doesn't drain through it. Make sure you grade the area properly and install an effective drainage system, to lower your risk of flooding.

Grass

Grass driveway prices range from $3,000 to $9,000 or $10 to $15 per square foot, depending on size and materials. The pro installs interlocking pavers made of plastic or concrete, with gaps for soil, seeds, and drainage.

Grass pavers look great, especially when you stagger them with other materials like stamped concrete or bricks. Keep in mind that you’ll need to water and trim it at least once a week during the summer.

Replacing vs. Resurfacing a Driveway

Average Cost to Replace or Redo a Driveway

Replacing a driveway costs $4,300 plus $1 to $2 per square foot to remove the old one. This process involves:

• Breaking up the old material.

• Hauling it away.

• Minor grading of the area.

• Installation of the new driveway.

• You may pay more if you’re making major changes to its location or shape, or changing its grade.

Resurfacing

Resurfacing runs $1 to $20 per square foot, depending on the material. The price to resurface an asphalt driveway ranges from $1,800 to $4,200. By comparison, concrete resurfacing costs $1,800 to $3,000.

Resurfacing involves removing the damaged top layer of the driveway and replacement with asphalt, concrete, or another material. This is a popular alternative to repaving when minor repairs won’t be enough.

Cost to Widen or Extend Your Driveway

Cost to Widen Driveway

Widening your driveway costs $2 to $15 per square foot, depending on materials and the condition of the land. For example, adding 200 square feet to the surface runs $400 to $3,000.

If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need to add the price to excavate land, which ranges from $1,500 to $5,300.

Driveway Extension Cost

The cost to extend your driveway runs $2 to $15 per square foot, but you should also keep these factors in mind:

• Permits, which range from $50 to $500.

• City rules concerning driveway length.

• Whether you’ll need to replace sidewalks or curbs afterward.

What Is a Sign My Driveway Needs Replacing?

Your driveway may need to be replaced if it has major potholes and noticeable cracks wider than one-quarter inch. Other signs also include drainage issues, an age of more than20 years, and many areas that need independent repairs. 

DIY Driveway Installation vs. Hire a Pro

It’s better to leave driveway installation to a driveway paving professional. This type of project requires a lot of labor and equipment, including a dump truck, skid steer, roller, and plate compactor. If you DIY this project, you may end up paying around the same amount as you would hiring a contractor due to debris disposal costs. There’s also a risk of causing house foundation problems if installation is done incorrectly. 

FAQs

Which is cheaper: a concrete or asphalt driveway?

Concrete is typically more expensive than asphalt at $8 to $18 per square foot and lasts twice as long. Meanwhile, asphalt costs $7 to $13 per square foot.

Does a paved driveway add value?

A paved driveway increases the value of your home by $5,000 to $7,000, depending on the size of your driveway. It adds curb appeal and can shorten the amount of time it’s on the market if you’re selling your home.

How much does it cost to repair a driveway?

The typical cost to repair a driveway ranges from $850 to $2,600. Some modifications can go for as little as $300 or as much as $4,500, depending on material and the total square footage of the damaged area. 

When is the best time to install a driveway?

Late spring until early fall is the ideal time for driveway installation. The warm days and cool nights during this time make it optimal for most materials to set. Installing your driveway at the right time makes it more durable and longer-lasting. 

How should I maintain my driveway?

To maintain your driveway, seal concrete every year and asphalt every few years to keep water from penetrating and cracking the surface. If there are developing cracks or noticeable deterioration, seal your driveway sooner to prevent deterioration. 

How long does it take to build a driveway?

Concrete driveways usually take one to three days, while asphalt driveways take about two days. The length of time also depends on the size and complexity of the driveway. Additional factors like landscaping and designs may add to the total time it takes to finish the project. 

How long will a driveway last?

Driveways last an average of 30 years and require regular upkeep. While asphalt and concrete need yearly or monthly maintenance, gravel driveways require maintenance once or twice a year.