How much does it cost to pave a driveway?
Paving a driveway costs roughly $1–$30 per square foot installed — an enormous range, because it depends almost entirely on the material. Gravel is cheapest, then asphalt, then concrete, with pavers at the top. For a typical two-car driveway (about 400–600 sq ft), most homeowners spend $3,000–$10,000.
Cost by driveway material
Material is the biggest decision you'll make. Installed cost per square foot, with typical lifespan:
| Material | Installed / sq ft | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel | $1–$5 | Indefinite with upkeep |
| Asphalt | $7–$15 | 15–25 yrs |
| Concrete (plain) | $8–$18 | 30–40 yrs |
| Stamped / colored concrete | $12–$28 | 30–40 yrs |
| Pavers | $15–$30 | 30–50 yrs |
Cost by driveway size
The two most common hard surfaces are asphalt and concrete. Here's what they run by size (gravel would be far less, pavers considerably more):
| Driveway size | Asphalt ($7–$15/sq ft) | Concrete ($8–$18/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-car — 200 sq ft | $1,400–$3,000 | $1,600–$3,600 |
| 2-car — 400 sq ft | $2,800–$6,000 | $3,200–$7,200 |
| 2-car long — 600 sq ft | $4,200–$9,000 | $4,800–$10,800 |
| Large — 1,000 sq ft | $7,000–$15,000 | $8,000–$18,000 |
Estimate your material by surface
Size up the job with the right calculator: asphalt, concrete, gravel, or pavers — each gives quantities and an editable cost.
Open the Asphalt CalculatorWhere the money goes
The visible surface is only part of the bill. A driveway that lasts is built on what's underneath:
- Excavation & grading. Removing soil and shaping the slope for drainage.
- Base. A compacted crushed-stone sub-base — skimp here and any surface cracks or sinks early.
- The surface. The asphalt, concrete, gravel, or pavers themselves.
- Old driveway removal. Tear-out and disposal of the existing surface, if any.
- Drainage & edging. Culverts, channel drains, or paver edge restraints where needed.
What changes the price
- Thickness. A driveway that will see heavy vehicles needs a thicker surface and base than a car-only one.
- Slope & drainage. Steep or poorly draining sites need more grading and water management.
- Decorative finishes. Stamping, coloring, or paver patterns add a lot over a plain pour.
- Access & region. Tight access, long hauls, and local labor rates all move the number.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
A gravel driveway is a realistic DIY job — the work is excavation, a good compacted base, and spreading stone. Pavers are DIY-possible but very labor-intensive. Asphalt and concrete are best left to pros: hot-mix asphalt has to be laid and rolled fast, and a concrete driveway is a large, time-sensitive pour where finishing and control joints make or break the result. For those two, the savings rarely justify the risk of a surface that fails early. Whatever the surface, the compacted base is what determines how long it lasts — see our methodology for how we build these ranges.