How Much Does Driveway Repair Cost in 2024?

Driveway Repair Cost Factors

There are quite a few cost factors that will determine how much you need to pay for driveway repairs, such as the size, shape, and extent of the damage. Here’s what you need to know.

Size

A larger driveway will naturally cost more to repair. Concrete driveway repairs cost between $3 and $8 per square foot, and asphalt driveways cost about $2 to $5 per square foot to repair. 

Resurfacing is another common driveway repair, and prices vary depending on whether you have an asphalt or concrete driveway. Asphalt driveway resurfacing costs $1 to $3 per square foot while resurfacing for a concrete driveway costs about $3 to $7 per square foot. 

Because the length of driveways isn’t standardized, you’ll have to look at the size of your particular driveway (and note the type) to accurately estimate the cost of repairs.

Shape

Though most driveways are simple rectangular shapes, custom driveways might have curves, bends, or circles. Depending on the type of issue you’re dealing with, repairing irregularly shaped driveways may increase the amount of necessary labor, raising the cost of repairing a driveway.

Landscaping

If your driveway is surrounded by steep slopes, sharp curbs, or large trees or boulders, it may present additional challenges to your driveway contractors. This can add to the labor costs of driveway repair, further increasing the budget.

Damage Extent

Naturally, repairing a few small cracks or holes in your driveway will cost far less than remediating large, spiderweb cracks or severe potholes. Also, these more severe types of damage often indicate a structural issue with the driveway, meaning they’ll probably reappear before too long. The general rule of thumb is to resurface or replace the driveway if more than 25% of the total surface area is damaged.

Driveway Sealing

Sealing protects the surface of your driveway, improving its durability and keeping it looking new. Sealing a driveway costs an extra $1 to $2 per square foot for asphalt driveways, and around $1 to $3 per square foot for concrete.

Labor

Labor is a major factor in the cost of driveway repair. The larger or more time-consuming your driveway repair job is, the more you can expect to pay. Asphalt contractors typically charge between $50 and $150 per hour, while concrete installation professionals usually charge between $2 to $4 per square foot. Labor costs are usually charged per project, but these numbers should give you an idea of what to expect.

Driveway Repair Cost by Type

There are several types of driveways, each of which has its own unique advantages. Of course, each type of driveway has its own set of potential issues, which means you’ll need to understand the costs of repairing different types of driveways.

Concrete

Concrete is a common choice for driveways thanks to its durability and relatively low cost. Most concrete driveway repairs cost between $300 and $3,000, such as fixing cracks, patching holes, replacing sections, leveling the driveway, or resurfacing the whole area. Resurfacing a concrete driveway usually costs $3 to $7 per square foot.

Asphalt

Asphalt is another popular option for driveways, and it’s much less expensive to repair than other types. Most asphalt driveway repairs cost $250 to $800, on average. Filling potholes will usually cost $100 to $400, repairing cracks is about $0.50 to $3 per linear foot, patching costs between $2 and $5 per square foot, and saw-cut repairs cost about $4 to $12 per square foot. If you need to resurface an asphalt driveway, you can expect to pay $1 to $3 per square foot.

Brick

Brick pavers are less common for driveways, but they have one big advantage: Damaged bricks can be individually replaced, greatly reducing the cost of repairing a driveway. A brick paver driveway costs $2 to $8 per square foot to repair. Each individual brick paver costs $0.50 to $1.80, which makes it inexpensive to repair sections that are cracked or fix parts of your driveway that have begun to sink. One disadvantage of brick driveways is that they are more easily damaged by tree roots growing beneath them—you’ll have to pay $320 to $800 per tree for the average tree removal project.

Cobblestone

Like brick driveways, cobblestone can be replaced in small sections to reduce the cost of driveway repair. Cobblestone driveways cost about $8 to $20 per square foot to repair, plus $3 to $5 per square foot to fill and level any areas that have begun to sink. To re-level a large area of a cobblestone driveway, expect to pay a pro about $6 to $12 per square foot.

Gravel/Dirt

Gravel and dirt driveways are by far the least expensive option, and since there’s no stone, brick, or concrete to break, repairs are far less common. One repair that you may need to do is regrading the driveway, which costs about $0.50 to $2.20 per square foot. 

Other common repairs include resurfacing and filling holes or ruts. Resurfacing a gravel driveway costs about $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot, assuming a three-inch deep layer of pea gravel. If you’re looking to fill holes or ruts, you’ll be buying gravel by the bag—about $2 to $8 per bag, which covers two cubic feet.

Heated

Unlike other driveway types, heated driveway costs are all about repairs to the heating system. Thankfully, you don’t have to tear up the entire driveway to address issues with the system—your driveway repair pro will use special equipment to find the source of the problem and drill a small hole to access the necessary areas. 

Common repairs for a heated driveway include fixing or replacing the controller, sensor, or electric element. This usually costs $525 to $3,400. If you need to fix the radiant heating tubes, this will cost $4 to $12 per square foot. If you have a hydronic system and need to replace the boiler, you’ll pay between $1,200 and $5,900. 

Driveway Repair Cost by Concern

There are a few different types of problems you might encounter with your driveway. Different types of repairs can vary significantly in price. 

Spalling/Scaling Concrete

Spalling refers to the top layer of concrete being eroded away, leaving a pitted surface and possibly exposing the rebar or aggregate beneath. Spalling is mainly caused by moisture in the concrete—it’s an especially large problem in climates with frequent freezing and thawing cycles. Repairing concrete spalling costs about $3 to $5 per square foot.

Filling and Sealing Cracks

Patching, sealing, and repairing cracks in a concrete driveway costs about $0.50 to $3 per linear foot, though most repair jobs will cost a minimum of $100 to $250. If your driveway has cracks wider or deeper than 1/4 inch, it’s usually a sign of more severe structural issues, and a simple repair job might not be enough to stabilize the driveway.

Fixing Potholes

Potholes are mainly caused by heavy rainfall over time, causing large holes to develop in your concrete or asphalt driveway. Depending on the size and depth of the pothole, repairing them will cost about $100 to $400.

Repairing Setting, Sinking, or Buckling

Sinking, settling, and buckling are major driveway issues caused mainly by water damage, foundation issues, or tree roots growing beneath your driveway. If you just have a small section that’s beginning to sink, it costs between $600 and $1,200 to lift and level it. If you need to level the entire driveway, it will cost between $1,400 and $2,700. If you have to lift and level very small areas, it might be charged per square foot—this usually costs $2 to $5 per square foot.

Painting/Staining

If your driveway’s color is fading, you may want to have it painted or re-stained. A fading driveway isn’t necessarily a structural issue like cracks or potholes, but it can take away from the curb appeal of your home and reduce your house’s value. Staining or painting a concrete driveway usually costs $2 to $4 per square foot.

Repaving/Replacement

Repaving a driveway is the most extensive repair since you’re essentially redoing the entire project. The cost to repave a driveway can be significant—between $4 and $13 per square foot. This cost includes the price to remove your old driveway, repair the subbase, and cover it with new concrete or asphalt.  

Driveway Repair vs. Replacement

Driveway repair can get expensive depending on the type of driveway you have and the issues you’re experiencing. If you’re dealing with small cracks and potholes, you should be able to safely repair the issue for a few hundred dollars. The same goes for spalling on the surface of a concrete driveway, minor surface buckling, or simple discoloration. 

If your driveway is more than 20 years old, it might be time to consider replacing it altogether. You should also think about a new driveway if you’re dealing with large cracks (more than 1/4 inch deep or wide), crumbling edges, or severe sinking or buckling. Also, if more than 25% to 30% of the driveway surface is visibly damaged, it’s usually a sign that it’s time to repave the entire area, rather than attempt to repair it. While a new driveway costs as much as $6,400, it’s worth the investment rather than spending money on repairing a failing driveway.

Does Driveway Repair Increase Home Value?

A well-maintained driveway can significantly improve home value For one thing, a driveway is a big part of your home’s curb appeal, meaning a driveway that isn’t faded and full of cracks and potholes will immediately be more aesthetically pleasing. Plus, a new driveway lasts around 20 to 25 years with proper maintenance. Potential buyers will know they won’t have to shell out for driveway replacement or major driveway repairs in the near future. Some estimates say a new concrete or asphalt driveway can add as much as $10,000 in home value, making it a wise investment for anyone looking to sell their home.

Budgeting for Driveway Repairs

Driveway repairs can add up quickly, but they don’t have to break the bank. Here are a few ways to reduce the cost of repairing your driveway:

• Plan landscaping around the driveway to ensure its longevity—avoid planting large trees too close (as roots can grow underneath and cause damage), and plan for proper water drainage to reduce standing water on the driveway.

• Seal your driveway every three years to protect the surface from damage.

• Seal small cracks and potholes as soon as you notice them, preventing them from growing and becoming a more expensive issue later on.

• Consider teaming up with your neighbors to get a bulk quote from a local paving professional, as this can often greatly reduce the cost of driveway repair.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real 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.