The average cost to pave a 400 square-foot driveway with asphalt is $1,150. Most asphalt paving jobs typically range from about $1,050 to $1,200. The total cost of the project will depend on the size of the area you’re paving, the extent of the required site preparation and local material and labor costs.

Asphalt is one of the most popular paving choices for a new driveway, walkway, parking lot or blacktop court, as it’s resilient, long-lasting and versatile. It’s also one of the most economical paving materials, costing an average of $2.80 per square foot, including labor, for an asphalt driveway. Concrete, another popular cost-effective driveway material, can be two times the price of asphalt

• How much does asphalt paving cost?
• What factors can affect the cost of asphalt?
• What is the maintenance of an asphalt driveway?
• How long does asphalt last?
• How does asphalt compare to concrete?

Preparing a site for asphalt could involve removing an existing pavement, removing plants and bushes that may be in the path of the driveway, grading the site and compacting the subgrade. A foundation of crushed aggregate 4 to 8 inches deep is then installed, creating a stable and well-draining base for the asphalt. A 2- to 4-inch layer of hot asphalt — a mix of aggregate and asphalt cement, a petroleum product — is applied and then compacted on top.

Adding an asphalt driveway can be a big home improvement job. It’s a project that is best done by skilled professionals, including an asphalt contractor. Besides paving the driveway with asphalt, contractors can also prep for the project, laying down the gravel base needed for the driveway and helping navigate the permit process, if needed. For more extensive excavation projects, including grading and proper drainage upgrades, you will want to work with an engineer or other specialist.

Meyers Landscape Services · More Info

While a number of factors can affect the cost of a new asphalt driveway, an experienced paving contractor will be able to provide you with a more precise cost estimate based on your plot and project needs. The following are common factors that can impact project cost.

• Size of the driveway: Size will play a major role in the overall cost of your driveway. Material is a factor in the project’s cost, in addition to labor and equipment costs. Asphalt prices can fluctuate, and material costs on top of the driveway’s size can add up. You can make a rough calculation for overall cost by multiplying the square footage of your driveway by the national average price per square foot, $2.80.
• Site excavation and engineering: If no driveway exists, the site will need to be prepared for driveway paving. For example, trees may need to be removed, grading may need to be handled and drainage may need to be dealt with. For some of these changes, additional professionals will need to be hired and costs will go up.
• Permitting: Permitting may or may not be required, depending on the project and where you live. Check your local building codes or work with a knowledgeable contractor, who should be able to inform you of your paving requirements.
• Local costs: Local material and labor costs can vary, depending on where you live. For example, where contractors are in higher demand, they may charge more. If the material needs to travel farther to reach its destination, this may add to the cost.
• Special finishes: Specialty finishes, sealants or topcoats can impact the cost.

More: How to Give Your Driveway More Curb Appeal

Asphalt is not maintenance-free, and proper maintenance can enhance the driveway’s overall aesthetics and increase its longevity.

• Clean the driveway every six months to a year, using a stiff broom or a hose to remove dirt and debris.
• Apply a new seal coat to the driveway every two to five years, which will help maintain the appearance of the asphalt and also help it maintain its water resistance. This is a project you can do with or without the help of a professional, but if you’re inexperienced it’s always best to hire a pro. Applying a single coat of sealer will cost an average of 75 cents per square foot.
• Repair holes and asphalt cracks as they appear, with an asphalt sealant or a repair material. These can appear as signs of age and wear and tear, but they can also be a sign of water seepage. Filling them as soon as you can will help prevent more water from seeping into the driveway and compromising its integrity. Asphalt crack repair can cost an average of $2.25 per linear foot.

Van Zelst Inc · More Info

Asphalt can last up to 20 years before needing to be replaced or resurfaced, depending on how well it was installed, where it is and how well it’s maintained. It can last less or longer, depending on those factors. Though concrete can last longer, up to 30 years, it will need to be replaced after it has worn out. Asphalt, on the other hand, can be resurfaced.

Resurface versus replace versus reseal:

• Reseal an asphalt driveway, which involves pouring and squeegeeing thin layers of a seal coat, over the entire driveway every couple of years. It will help enhance the aesthetics of the driveway and protect it against water penetration, increasing its longevity. This can be done with or without a professional. To have asphalt professionally resealed can cost 75 cents per square foot.
• Resurface an asphalt driveway if the top layer has deteriorated or there are cracks that have been sealed, but the base layer is still sound and the driveway is still draining properly. This project involves adding a new layer of asphalt (about 1 ½ inches thick) over the existing driveway and can cost an average of $1.60 per square foot. It’s more affordable than replacing the driveway entirely.
• Replace the asphalt entirely when the base layer is also deteriorating and drainage is failing. This involves pulling up the asphalt and foundation underneath.

Learn more: How to Reseal Your Asphalt Driveway

• Asphalt is more affordable than concrete to install, costing roughly half of what it costs to install a concrete driveway.
• A concrete driveway may last longer than asphalt, with concrete lasting about 30 years and asphalt lasting about 20 years.
• An asphalt driveway requires semiregular maintenance, including resealing and resurfacing. Concrete is pretty maintenance-free.
• Asphalt can fold more without cracking, making it a good material choice in regions with more extreme climate shifts. In hot climates asphalt can get really hot, and in snowy climates asphalt can melt snow more quickly and make it easier to plow.
• Asphalt hides gas and oil drips better than concrete does.
• Asphalt cures almost immediately, whereas concrete takes several days to cure before you can drive on it.
• Concrete offers more design options.
• Asphalt can be resurfaced once it starts to show signs of age, but a concrete driveway would need to be replaced. A driveway can be paved with asphalt on top of concrete.

Contact an asphalt paving professional to get your project started

Note: Costs are estimated at the U.S. national level. Variations depend on factors such as the quality of materials, type of products installed and labor costs. The typical range is assumed to be between the 20th and 80th percentiles. The high-end and low-end costs are the maximum and minimum, respectively. Costs assume that the homeowner manages the project and hires subcontractors as needed. They include a subcontractor markup of 10% for materials and labor. Costs can be higher if a general contractor is managing the project. All numbers are rounded.

Source: 2019 Houzz Remodel Costs Database