How much does an asphalt driveway cost?

An asphalt driveway costs $7-$12 per square foot installed nationally in 2026. In lower-cost markets like Texas and the Southeast, expect $6-$10/sq ft. In the Northeast and West Coast, $9-$16/sq ft is more typical. For a standard 2-car driveway (800 sq ft): approximately $4,800-$9,600 installed.

Is asphalt or concrete cheaper for a driveway?

Asphalt is cheaper upfront at $7-$12/sq ft vs $8-$18/sq ft for concrete. For 800 sq ft: asphalt saves $500-$3,000 at installation. Over 30 years, total cost of ownership is often similar once you factor in asphalt sealing and resurfacing.

How much does a gravel driveway cost?

A gravel driveway costs $2-$6 per square foot installed nationally. A 2-car driveway (800 sq ft): approximately $960-$4,800 installed. Gravel is the lowest upfront cost option but requires regrading every 2-3 years.

What factors affect driveway installation cost?

Beyond material and size: site slope and grading (+$500-$2,000), existing driveway removal (+$1-$3/sq ft), sub-base preparation (+$1-$3/sq ft), drainage work (+$500-$3,000), and regional labor rates (vary 30-50%). Always get at least 3 written quotes.

Driveway Cost Calculator – How Much Does a Driveway Cost?

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Standard: 4 in asphalt/gravel, 4–6 in concrete.

Driveway Planning Checklist

Site prep, base layer requirements, drainage, contractor questions, and curing steps before your project starts.

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Planning use only. See Methodology and Data Sources. View all project checklists →

Driveway Cost Guide — Asphalt, Concrete & Gravel (2026)

This calculator estimates driveway material costs and provides an estimated installed price range based on your dimensions. Enter your driveway size to see material costs for all three options side by side, so you can compare asphalt vs concrete vs gravel before getting contractor quotes.

Driveway Cost Per Square Foot (2026)

Material	Materials only	Installed (incl. labor)	Lifespan
Asphalt	$3–$5/sq ft	$7–$12/sq ft	15–30 years
Concrete	$4–$7/sq ft	$8–$18/sq ft	30–50 years
Gravel	$1–$3/sq ft	$2–$6/sq ft	Indefinite (with maintenance)
Pavers	$8–$15/sq ft	$15–$30/sq ft	25–50 years

Installed prices include typical labor and base prep. Excludes old driveway removal, permits, and site-specific conditions.

Driveway Cost by Size

Driveway size	Area	Asphalt (installed)	Concrete (installed)	Gravel (installed)
Single-car	200 ft²	$1,400–$2,400	$1,600–$3,600	$400–$1,200
Two-car	800 ft²	$3,360–$9,600	$3,840–$14,400	$960–$4,800
Long (12×100 ft)	1,200 ft²	$5,040–$14,400	$5,760–$21,600	$1,440–$7,200
Large (20×100 ft)	2,000 ft²	$8,400–$24,000	$9,600–$36,000	$2,400–$12,000

Installed prices include typical labor, base prep, and materials. Excludes removal of existing driveway, permits, and major site grading.

What Affects Driveway Cost

Factor	Typical cost impact	Notes
Site slope / grading	+$500–$2,000	Steeper or uneven ground requires more prep
Old driveway removal	+$1–$3/sq ft	Demolition and disposal of existing material
Sub-base / base layer	+$1–$3/sq ft	Required for new driveways on soft or clay soil
Drainage work	+$500–$3,000	If runoff or water pooling is a concern
Regional labor rates	±30–50%	Northeast and West Coast run higher; South and Midwest lower
Permits	$0–$500	Rarely required for driveways but check locally

Asphalt vs Concrete vs Gravel — Full Comparison

Factor	Asphalt	Concrete	Gravel
Installed cost/sq ft	$7–$12	$8–$18	$2–$6
Lifespan	15–30 years	30–50 years	Indefinite
Maintenance	Seal every 3–5 yrs	Minimal	Regrade every 2–3 yrs
Cold climate	Excellent — flexible	Can crack in freeze-thaw	Good — drains well
Hot climate	Can soften in extreme heat	Excellent	Excellent
Best for	Budget paved, cold climates	Long lifespan, clean look	Rural, long driveways

Driveway Cost by Region — 2026 US Averages

Driveway installation costs vary more by location than most homeowners expect. Labour market tightness is the biggest driver — contractors in major Northeast and West Coast metros charge 40-60% more than those in Texas or the Southeast for the same job. Material transport distance plays a role too, particularly for concrete in rural areas. The figures below reflect typical installed prices across US regions as a planning reference.

Region	States	Asphalt (per sq ft)	Concrete (per sq ft)	Gravel (per sq ft)
Southeast	FL, GA, NC, SC, TN	$6–$10	$7–$14	$1.50–$4
South Central	TX, OK, AR, LA	$6–$10	$7–$14	$1.50–$4
Midwest	OH, MI, IL, IN, WI	$7–$11	$8–$16	$2–$5
Mid-Atlantic	PA, VA, MD, NJ	$8–$13	$9–$17	$2–$5
Mountain West	CO, AZ, NV, UT	$7–$12	$8–$16	$2–$5
Northeast	NY, MA, CT, RI	$9–$14	$10–$20	$2.50–$6
West Coast	CA, WA, OR	$10–$16	$12–$22	$3–$7

Installed prices include labor, base prep, and materials. Excludes removal of existing driveway, permits, and major site grading. Midwest highlighted as the national mid-market benchmark.

Texas and Florida are two of the most competitive driveway markets in the country. Both states have high contractor density, lower labor costs than coastal metros, and strong asphalt availability from regional suppliers. A standard two-car asphalt driveway that might cost $8,000-$10,000 installed in Boston or San Francisco typically runs $5,000-$7,000 in Houston or Tampa. The Southeast generally follows a similar pattern, with good competition, reasonable material costs, and mild enough winters that asphalt holds up well without the freeze-thaw cycling that affects northern states.

Driveway cost in major US cities (800 sq ft, two-car)

City	Asphalt installed	Concrete installed	Gravel installed
Houston, TX	$4,800–$7,200	$5,600–$10,400	$1,200–$3,200
Dallas, TX	$4,800–$7,500	$5,600–$10,800	$1,200–$3,200
Atlanta, GA	$5,200–$8,000	$6,000–$11,200	$1,200–$3,200
Charlotte, NC	$5,200–$7,600	$5,800–$10,400	$1,200–$3,200
Columbus, OH	$5,600–$8,400	$6,400–$12,000	$1,600–$4,000
Phoenix, AZ	$5,600–$8,800	$6,400–$11,200	$1,600–$4,000
Chicago, IL	$6,400–$9,600	$7,200–$13,600	$1,600–$4,000
Philadelphia, PA	$6,400–$9,600	$7,200–$13,600	$1,600–$4,000
New York, NY	$7,200–$11,200	$8,000–$16,000	$2,000–$4,800
Los Angeles, CA	$8,000–$12,800	$9,600–$17,600	$2,400–$5,600

Based on a standard 20×40 ft (800 sq ft) two-car driveway at typical regional contractor rates. Columbus, OH shown as the national mid-market reference. Get local contractor quotes to confirm pricing in your area.

Tips to get accurate contractor quotes

Get at least 3 written quotes — prices vary 30–50% between contractors for the same job
Ask each quote to specify: material, depth, base layer, grading, and what removal is included
Schedule during off-peak seasons (late fall, early spring) for better rates and availability
Ask about recycled asphalt millings as a base layer — often cheaper and performs well
Confirm whether the price includes sealing (asphalt) or any finishing work (concrete)

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical 2-car driveway (20×40 ft, 800 sq ft) costs: asphalt $3,360–$9,600, concrete $3,840–$14,400, gravel $960–$4,800 installed in 2026. Regional variation is significant — Texas and Southeast markets run 20–30% below Northeast and West Coast. Use the calculator above and the city pricing table for a location-specific estimate.

Asphalt driveways cost $7–$12 per sq ft installed nationally in 2026. In lower-cost markets like Texas and the Southeast: $6–$10/sq ft. In the Northeast: $9–$14/sq ft. A standard 2-car driveway (800 sq ft) runs $4,800–$9,600 depending on region and site conditions.

Concrete driveways cost $8–$18 per sq ft installed nationally. In Texas and the Southeast: $7–$14/sq ft. In the Northeast: $10–$20/sq ft. West Coast: $12–$22/sq ft. A 2-car driveway (800 sq ft) runs $5,600–$14,400. Decorative or stamped finishes add $5–$15/sq ft on top.

Asphalt is cheaper upfront at $7–$12/sq ft vs $8–$18/sq ft for concrete. For 800 sq ft: asphalt saves $500–$3,000 at installation. However, asphalt needs sealing every 3–5 years and resurfacing every 15–20 years. Over 30 years, total cost of ownership is often similar. Choose asphalt if budget is the priority. Choose concrete for a longer-lasting, lower-maintenance surface.

Gravel driveways cost $2–$6 per sq ft installed — the most affordable option. A 2-car driveway (800 sq ft): approximately $960–$4,800 installed. Requires regrading every 2–3 years ($200–$600 per visit). Best value for rural properties or long driveways where paving costs would be high.

Key factors beyond material and size: site slope (+$500–$2,000), old driveway removal (+$1–$3/sq ft), sub-base preparation (+$1–$3/sq ft on soft soil), drainage work (+$500–$3,000), and regional labor rates (vary 30–50%). See the regional pricing tables above for location-specific estimates.

Accuracy & Review

Reviewed by: Dave Whitaker

Dave is a second-generation paving contractor specialising in asphalt compaction, lift thickness, and milling yields for driveways and small parking lots. He reviewed the assumptions, calculation logic, and practical estimating guidance used in this calculator.

Last updated: Feb 12, 2026

See: Methodology · Data Sources · Review Board

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Disclaimer: Estimates are for general planning only. Actual costs vary based on site conditions, local labor rates, material pricing, and contractor availability. Regional and city pricing figures are indicative only. Always verify with a licensed contractor before committing to a project.

See Methodology and Data Sources for details.