Home Improvement Outdoors Driveways & Walkways

Is An Asphalt Driveway Right For Your Home?

Cost, types, installation and more factors to consider.

White painted mid-century home with asphalt driveway and a gravel lawn

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

An asphalt driveway will perform much like a concrete driveway but at a much lower cost. An asphalt driveway should be sealed every few years for proper maintenance, while concrete is essentially maintenance-free. Asphalt is flexible, making it ideal for colder climates.

Consider these pros and cons to help decide whether or not an asphalt driveway is a good choice for the home.

Cost

Installing a new asphalt driveway costs about $5 to $13 per square foot. This includes the average cost of labor, which ranges from $5 to $7 per hour.

Some contractors will provide budget information based on the weight of the asphalt. Typically, hot mix asphalt costs $100 to $200 per ton, while recycled asphalt may cost as little as $10 to $20 per ton.

Tip

The cost of an asphalt driveway is about $1 to $3 per square foot, making gravel an attractive option when money is a concern.

Size

On average, an asphalt driveway installation will cost about $7 to $13 per square foot.

Size Low Cost High Cost
200 square feet $1,400 $2,600
400 square feet $2,800 $5,200
600 square feet $4,200 $7,800
800 square feet $5,600 $10,400
1000 square feet $7,000 $13,000
1200 square feet $8,400 $15,600
1400 square feet $9,800 $18,200
1600 square feet $11,200 $20,800
1800 square feet $12,600 $23,400
2000 square feet $14,000 $26,000
2200 square feet $15,400 $28,600
2400 square feet $16,800 $31,200
2600 square feet $18,200 $33,800
2800 square feet $19,600 $36,400
3000 square feet $21,000 $39,000

Labor

The average cost of labor for an asphalt driveway installation ranges from $5 to $7 per square foot. Labor and machinery typically account for about 40 to 70 percent of the project cost due to the amount of time required to complete this work.

Unforeseen issues can add to this cost, so it's a good idea to set aside an additional 20 percent of the initial project budget to cover these unexpected costs.

Gradient

The gradient of the driveway refers to the slope or incline. The steeper the include, the more time and effort required to properly level the property for an asphalt driveway installation.

While this may not add to the material cost of the project, leveling or grading the area will increase the labor costs significantly. Homeowners with a steep gradient should expect to pay an additional $5 to $10 per square foot.

Depth

The deeper the driveway, the more asphalt required for the installation, leading to increased material and labor costs.

One ton of asphalt will generally cover about 30 to 80 square feet, depending on the depth. The minimum asphalt depth for a driveway is about 2 inches, but most homeowners choose a depth of up to 6 inches for improved stability and longevity.

Asphalt Driveway Materials and Finish Types

Porous Asphalt

Porous asphalt costs about $8 to $15 per square foot. This type of asphalt is ideal for areas that get a lot of rain because it is designed to minimize runoff and improve drainage.

The slight bump in cost compared to standard asphalt is due to the additional layer of crushed stone that is required for the driveway foundation, resulting in a surface that soaks up water instead of redirecting it to the gutter.

Standard Hot Mix Asphalt

Hot mix asphalt, the most common type of asphalt for a driveway, costs $7 to $13 per square foot.

It's important to include the cost of the gravel base, which ranges from $0.50 to $1 per square foot for a standard hot mix asphalt driveway.

Stamped Asphalt

Stamped or colored asphalt typically costs about $12 to $17 per square foot.

The high price for this material is due to the multi-step installation process, which includes pouring, coloring, and stamping the asphalt.

Recycled Asphalt

Recycled or reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) costs from $6.20 to $8.75 per square foot.

Homeowners who opt for recycled asphalt save money on materials, plus it's an eco-friendly alternative that encourages reuse. The downside is that not all asphalt contractors offer recycled asphalt paving materials.

New Driveway, Replacement, or Overlay?

New Asphalt Driveway

On average, a new asphalt driveway installation will cost about $7 to $13 per square foot, including the cost of materials, machinery, and labor.

With this installation option, the driveway installation crew will need to level the ground, lay a base, install the asphalt, then smooth it out before the asphalt has time to set.

Replacement Asphalt

Replacing an existing driveway will cost slightly more than installing a new driveway, at an average cost of $8 to $15 per square foot.

The reason for this higher cost is that installers must also tear up and haul away the old driveway, which costs about $1 to $2 per square foot.

Overlaying an Existing Driveway

If your existing driveway is in good condition and is not severely cracked or crumbling, hot mix asphalt can be laid directly on top of your driveway for about $3 to $7 per square foot.

Tip

With overlay asphalt, one consideration is height. Make sure that fences, garage floors, and other structures will not be affected by the higher level of the new surface.

Maintenance and Repair

An asphalt driveway needs repair and regular maintenance, including sealing the driveway every three to five years, cleaning the driveway at least twice a year, and patching any cracks or fissures as soon as possible.

Fixing Cracks

For small cracks, use a rubberized asphalt-emulsion crack filler. You can apply it with a caulking gun or putty knife.

For larger cracks up to two inches large, fill the gap up with small, crushed, angular gravel, then fill with a cold-patch asphalt repair compound, such as blacktop.

Applying Sealant

Sealant provides a layer of protection to avoid cracking and environmental damage. Asphalt sealing typically costs $1.25 to $1.50 per square foot.

Asphalt sealant is a thin layer of coal tar emulsion brushed on top of an existing surface. Experienced DIYers can reseal an asphalt driveway as a DIY project over a weekend and save about $1.15 per square foot.

Weathering

Asphalt driveways typically last up to 20 years, depending on the quality of the installation, the severity of the climate, the usage, and how well they are maintained.

Asphalt tends to fare well in harsh winter conditions and can withstand salt and ice melt. In summer, the black tar-like component of asphalt can soften and even become sticky in sweltering weather. Wash the driveway about twice a year to clean away any dirt, dust, oils, and grime.

DIY vs. Professional Driveway Installation

Asphalt driveway installation should be done by an asphalt contractor. Professionals can easily install new asphalt at a rapid pace and to a higher quality. Depending on the size of the driveway, they might even be able to do it one day.

Instead of trying to tackle this job on your own, hire a professional asphalt installation crew.

Best Time to Install an Asphalt Driveway

Hot mix asphalt paving is dependent on warmer temperatures for workable conditions. This means that spring and summer are the best seasons for installing an asphalt driveway. Winter and fall are poor options for this project because the cold air temperature reduces the amount of time the installation crew has to smooth the asphalt across the driveway before it sets.

The thicker the asphalt, the longer it will take to set, so crews may be able to get away with installing the driveway later in the year if the asphalt is six or more inches deep. Generally, for thin applications of asphalt (around 1 1/2 inches), you will want to wait until the temperatures are at 70 F or higher. Between 50 F and 60 F, you will need to consult with your contractor. The hot-mix is still workable during this timeframe, but time is limited.

Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveway

Asphalt and concrete are the two most common surfaces used for residential driveways. Other options include loose gravel or shell, brick, grass, or pavers. Since asphalt and concrete are the two primarily used materials, here are some of the significant differences between them:

  • Cracks: Asphalt crack repairs are not as unsightly as concrete. DIY repairs to concrete involve sealing cracks with caulk and filling holes with patching material, and those repairs are quite visible. Although concrete tends to be more durable, it is more sensitive to cold weather and cracks easier than asphalt.
  • Longevity: Concrete outlasts asphalt—at least twice as long (in places with moderate climate). The average lifespan of an asphalt driveway is 15 to 20 years. Concrete can go about 30 to 40 years. Asphalt will need resealing every three to five years, while concrete will never require sealing.
  • Heat generator: Because of its lighter color, concrete stays cooler in summer than asphalt, while the black tar in asphalt will heat up and even get gooey with intense sun. The dark surface absorbs the sun’s radiation, storing it there for hours and adding to the heat index.
  • More variation: Asphalt has one look: blacktop. Meanwhile, concrete offers more variety. It can be stamped to look like stone or brick, tinted or stained with a range of colors, and even embellished with decorative inlays (all at an added cost).
  • Environmental factors: Concrete cracks easier than asphalt in cold weather, and it can get damaged by deicers like salt or ice melt substances. However, plants and tree roots seem to do more damage to asphalt than concrete.

Get quotes from a few contractors and compare them, and check references and liability insurance. Most companies will offer a warranty on their work. Find out what guarantee they provide if something cracks or malfunctions. 

FAQ
  • How to decide between porous, hot mix, or recycled asphalt?

    Hot mix asphalt is generally considered the best option for driveways due to the reasonable cost, durability, and longevity, but it does not allow for water drainage. Porous asphalt is more expensive than hot mix asphalt but water can drain directly through the asphalt. Recycled asphalt is an option for reusing old asphalt.

  • What’s the benefit of a thicker asphalt driveway?

    The main benefits of a thicker asphalt driveway are improved stability and longevity. At the very least, the asphalt depth for a driveway is 2 inches. Thicker asphalt driveways up to 6 inches are recommended for better performance and a longer lifespan.

  • Is a concrete or asphalt driveway more expensive?

    A concrete driveway is typically more expensive than an asphalt driveway. Concrete materials are more expensive, plus the finishing process is more labor intensive, than asphalt materials.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Learn How Much It Costs to Install Asphalt Paving. HomeAdvisor.

  2. How Much Does It Cost to Install an Asphalt Driveway? Angi.

  3. How Much Does It Cost to Seal an Asphalt Driveway? Angi.