How Much Does It Cost to Install an Asphalt Driveway?
3 pros!
It costs around $5,000 on average to haul away an old asphalt driveway and replace it with a new one. This is based on several factors.
Replacing or repairing an asphalt driveway can add to your home’s curb appeal and improve its resale value. Although asphalt driveways don’t typically last as long as their concrete counterpart, they’re one of the most cost-effective options.
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“Typical life expectancy of an asphalt driveway is 15 years,” says Ron Reibling, owner of Aurora Asphalt & Sealcoating in Champlin, Minnesota. “It really depends whether it’s maintained properly by sealcoating and crack filling. Without proper maintenance, the oils in the asphalt will oxidize out and lead to premature cracking from brittleness.”
In cases where the driveway is old and crumbling, it may be a better idea to hire a driveway contractor to replace it than to repair it. Many contractors say asphalt driveways need to be replaced between 15 and 25 years if properly maintained.
Cost to Install an Asphalt Driveway
Tyrone Ward, owner of TMW Enterprises Paving & Maintenance in Bensenville, Illinois, recommends getting three estimates because “prices are all over the map.”
Denise Cooper, owner of John Cooper Paving and Sealing in Abington, Massachusetts, says the average price of a new asphalt driveway, including ripping out and hauling away the old one, ranges from $4,000 to $5,000.
Angie’s List members recently reported paying an average of $5,308, with a pricing range between $4,500 and $6,100. The average cost of a concrete driveway, by comparison, is almost $7,400. Other sources estimate the cost to install an asphalt driveway to be between $2,300 and $10,300.
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Homeowners typically pay per square foot. Reibling adds the average cost per square foot is between $3.50 and $4.50. Some asphalt contractors may charge by the ton, with the cost ranging from $100 to $150 per ton.
Reibling, meanwhile, has a minimum charge of $2,800 for smaller driveway because the same amount of equipment needs to be brought to the job, regardless of its size. So, a 500-square-foot driveway may cost the same as a 700-square-foot driveway.
“The only difference is the extra material cost,” he says. “After the size is determined, the estimator will determine if there are any drainage issues that need to be corrected, as well as any areas in the driveway that might have subgrade issues. Those are all factors when determining the final cost.”
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Asphalt Paving?
Asphalt repairs cost anywhere from $20 to $6,000 or more. Most homeowners spend $900 to $3,100 for repairs. This doesn't account for driveway paving and sealing.
Adam Joseph, owner of All State Paving in Hanover, Maryland, says an option instead of driveway replacement is repaving or overlaying the existing driveway around the 15-year mark.
“This is a new layer of asphalt over the existing,” he says. “Most importantly, it’s catching the asphalt at a point in time where it can be saved without totally replacing.”
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This service costs about $1.75 to $2.25 per square foot, he says.
“If a driveway is left to fail and not sealed or overlaid, then it will need replaced,” Joseph says.
Cooper says a common driveway repair is when a sinkhole forms. Sinkholes are caused when the ground underneath the driveway starts to break down.
“The best way to repair it is to saw cut the area, remove broken down asphalt, lay and compact new gravel and lay down and compact asphalt on top of that,” she says.
Cooper says repairs can cost between $700 and $1,100, depending on the size and scope.
Asphalt Driveway Cost Factors
Aside from the size of a driveway, several other factors determine the price.
“Mostly size is the factor,” Ward says. “But building codes for base thickness has changed since the late 1970s, so on really old driveways, sometimes we have to dig the entire base out of place and put in all new gravel before paving.”
Driveways on a slope or ones with odd shapes or lengths can add to the cost, contractors say. For example, an asphalt driveway that runs a quarter-mile long can cost up to $50,000, according to CostHelper.
Homeowners can expect to pay up to $50 an hour to have a company remove small trees near the area, $70 for each stump removed and $200 to $400 for heavy machinery and skilled laborers to clear and prep a new driveway base.
“Each job is different,” Joseph says. “A difficult layout or existing drainage problems may cause price increases because it may take longer to complete.”
While asphalt driveways are more affordable than other options such as concrete, the total cost that you will incur for a new driveway will depend on multiple factors. Some of these include:
Cost of Materials
The material costs incurred for asphalt driveways can vary depending on the location where they are sold. You should also keep in mind factors such as shipping costs and fuel surcharges.
A typical asphalt driveway will require, at a minimum, two base coats. One coat will go on the bottom to form the underlying surface, and another will be present at the top. The quality of a base coat varies according to the material used and the time spent by the contractor in laying the coating. Applying the base coats can cost between $1-$3 per square foot.
To finish off the appearance of the driveway, a top coat and sealant will be necessary. The top coat is what will be viewable by everyone and will come in contact with cars and people. A sealant may also be necessary to apply on the top surface of the asphalt to prevent damage. Top coats and sealants typically cost between $1-$2.50 per square foot.
Installation
The equipment, materials, and processes that will be needed during installation will also influence the cost of an asphalt driveway. At the beginning of the installation, contractors may need to ensure that the driveway is slightly sloping so that drainage can be effective. A foundation that is composed of gravel is typically installed between the asphalt layer and the underlying surface. This can cost $1-$2.50 per square foot. The landscaping work needed will typically add to the installation and labor costs.
In addition, if you’re installing a new driveway where there was no previous one in place, the site may need to be excavated and cleared in preparation for the new paving.
Maintenance
Asphalt driveways typically last for about 20 years and need a touch-up/maintenance on a regular basis (3-5 years). You’re likely to be faced with the decision of replacing the current driveway to install a new one, or simply resurfacing the existing driveway.
Resurfacing is typically more cost-effective and it averages around $1.75- $2.25 per square foot to complete. For new asphalt driveway installations, the cost lies between $3-$4 per square foot.
Some common maintenance tips:
- Patch any cracks or holes in asphalt drives prior to sealcoating.
- Avoid gas and oil spills, as they can leave hard-to-remove stains, especially on concrete.
- Rock salt is also damaging to driveways, especially newer ones, and can lead to cracking.
How Much Does Asphalt Parking Lot Repair Cost?
Fixing potholes with a contractor costs $2 to $2.50 per square foot for repairs up to two inches thick. Pros estimate crack repairs using linear feet at an average of $1 to $3 per foot. Prices usually include labor. The cost varies based on size, labor and patching method. Ask your pro to detail the costs in their quote.
A contractor might suggest resurfacing a larger area if there's too much damage. This is typically $2 to $2.50 per square foot for a two-inch layer. Get a few quotes to find the best price.
Hire a smaller company for jobs with a few cracks or potholes. Bigger businesses might require a minimum of a few tons to accept a job. Ask contractors up front if they require minimum purchases.
Asphalt parking lots expand in heat and contract in cold weather. This and heavy traffic cause damage. They can last about 20 years. It might need repairs as early as 10 or 11 years. Look for cracks or depressions to save on major fixes.
How Much Does Asphalt Patching Cost?
Asphalt patching costs $100 to $300 to cover typical cracks. Keep in mind that quarter-inch shallow cracks are easily repairable. However, large cracks can be a sign of bigger problems.
Wide or connected cracks called "alligator cracks" can mean sub-base damage. When this is the case, you might need reconstruction or replacement. These are more extensive procedures. Contact a professional about patches on more severe cracks.
How Much Does Pothole Repair Cost?
Pothole repair runs $100 to $300, assuming a four-inch depth and around 25 to 80 square feet. Small contracting companies with less overhead are more likely to tackle jobs like this. Bigger companies usually work on jobs totalling $1,000 or more with more square feet.
The price to fix potholes depends on how many there are, asphalt market price and fuel needed to haul it. Double check prices in your area before making the decision to repair.
How Much Does Infrared Repair Cost?
Infrared repair can be up to 50 percent less per square foot than traditional methods. It recycles the original pavement and requires less manpower. The process heats existing asphalt to about 325 degrees F, making it workable to easily fix holes and smooth the surface finish.
Infrared repairs can take as little as 4 minutes per square foot. This is a tempting fix. But, it has limits and specific applications. Get a pro on-site to evaluate and find out if it's right for your project.
How Much Does Hot-Mix Repair Cost?
Hot-mix repair is costs between $100 to $500. It means excavating damaged areas, compacting or adding base rock and filling the hole with hot-mix asphalt. The project total will depend on the size of the hole.
How Much Does Cold Patch Repair Cost?
Some people fix issues themselves. For instance, cracks less than a quarter-inch wide or potholes two square feet or smaller. They often use cold asphalt aggregate or cold patch found in stores. A 50-pound bag of aggregate can cost as little as $10. Small potholes are candidates for DIY. The materials can run you $10 to $50 depending on job size.
“If it’s something very small, very minor, then you could use cold mix on it," says Harry Gorman, owner of Rocky Mountain Asphalt Service of Denver, Colorado. But if you’re getting into anything that would take over a couple hundred pounds of asphalt, then I would definitely switch to hot mix, 100 percent.”
What Are Asphalt Repair Cost Factors?
How will the fix be made? What’s the scope of your project? Also consider:
- Accessibility: Backyard tennis courts or private trails are difficult for trucks to reach. This can increase labor rates.
- Size: Most repairs are charged by linear or square foot. The price per unit should drop as area increases. Parking lots are typically priced less per square foot than small basketball courts.
- Condition: Dirt and growth will take time and labor to clean and prepare.
- Slope: Sloped surfaces run an extra $1 per square foot or more than flat areas.
- Required permits: County and city governments have permit requirements. Most minor repairs don't need them. But, larger jobs can spend hundreds on permits.
- Extras: Adding drains, permanent basketball-hoop poles and grates adds to labor.
What is Asphalt Driveway Sealing
Driveway sealing helps lengthen the life of an asphalt driveway. A sealer won't improve damaged asphalt. However, it protects it from heat and UV damage. It also seals tiny pores that water seep into. Driveway sealing costs about $200 to $500.
Repair, Replace or Repave?
“Cracks and minor holes, that’s repairable, but when you get large areas of the driveway that are completely buckled, and they have kind of grown into large, large holes, then that’s when you want to replace it,” says Gorman of Rocky Mountain Asphalt Service.
Also, as asphalt ages, it requires more attention. Eventually, you'll want to consider your options.
- Repair: $2-$3 per square foot. You should get at least 20 years from asphalt. If it’s under that with minor damage, small fixes make sense.
- Repave: $2.25 per square foot. This is a middle-ground option for more damaged asphalt. Contractors can grade the top layer from existing blacktop and add another layer. This isn’t as good as replacing for a long-term solution. However, it's less expensive and can last years.
- Replace: $3-$4 per square foot. After a certain point, you’ll need to replace the old and damaged surface. Get one quote on repair and one on replacement to find out which is best.
How Much Does DIY Asphalt Pavement Repair Cost?
DIY normally uses cold patch repair at $10 to $50 for materials. This is easy to buy and use, but it rarely lasts more than a year. Professional work is more durable. Cold patch is best used as a stop-gap while you wait for a more permanent fix.
Before you DIY, think about how long it will take to learn and do the job. Make sure you really are saving money. For most jobs, it will be best to call a professional.
How to DIY Repair Asphalt Driveway Cracks
Before fixing an asphalt driveway crack, prepare the area you plan to repair. You don't want to make the crack any deeper, but you do want to clean up the edges so you can be sure that you fill in the crack completely.
- Start by using a chisel to remove any jagged pieces at the edge of the crack - create as smooth a line as possible from one end of the crack to the other.
- Then take a brush to the crack to remove all the large pieces of debris.
- Use compressed air to force out the remaining fine particles, leaving a completely clean crack.
- Repairing small asphalt cracks is much like repairing small cracks in concrete, except you'll use an asphalt-based crack filler. Be sure that the asphalt area is completely dry before you begin, then just fill in the crack using a caulking gun and even out the area using a trowel.
- For larger asphalt repairs, you will use the cold patch mentioned above. First fill in the crack with crushed gravel until the crack is only two inches deep. Then pour in cold patch asphalt repair compound. Use a metal tamper to even out the area then apply more compound if needed, and repeat until you've completely filled in the crack.
How Much Does a Recycled Asphalt Driveway Cost?
The average price for a fully recycled asphalt driveway is $1,325 - expect to pay between $500 and $2,500. Many times homeowners never realize this cost savings since most recycled asphalt is used a base or in existing new hot mixes and the service pro passes along the savings without communication. Contractors save 75 to 80 percent when using recycled asphalt, going from $80 per ton down to $20 per ton.
Should You Use Recycled Asphalt?
Even asphalt, of all things, has a green side. Although asphalt itself isn’t environmentally friendly, it’s frequently recycled, reducing the amount of asphalt waste. According to the Federal Highway Administration, asphalt is the most recycled material in the country.
A certain percentage of recycled asphalt can be combined with newer asphalt and is commonly used by municipalities as part of a base or subbase material on highways and roads. Many residential driveway contractors also use recycled asphalt as a base layer before adding the new asphalt on top.
Recycled asphalt is also used on parking lots, gravel road rehabilitation and bike paths, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, “[Recycled asphalt product] RAP is now routinely accepted in asphalt paving mixtures as an aggregate substitute and as a portion of the binder in nearly all 50 states. Recently developed technology has even made it possible to recycle 90 to 100 percent RAP [recycled asphalt product] in hot mix.”
Benefits of Recycled Asphalt
When old asphalt is extracted, the slabs are taken to asphalt recycling plants where they are grounded down and made available to reuse.
John Korpaczewski, owner of J. Korpaczewski & Son Asphalt in Biddeford, Maine, says his company runs it through a paving machine and uses it as a base coat before laying new asphalt over it.
“Our company feels that recycled asphalt is an excellent quality foundation for a driveway, and it’s good for the environment,” Korpaczewski says. “Years ago, used asphalt went into a landfill, and now it’s recycled.”
Dominic Stanley, owner of Dominic’s Paving in Frederick, Maryland, adds recycled asphalt includes a lower initial cost, superior performance because of an increased density as well as environmental benefits.
“No reclaimed asphalt goes to the landfills,” he says.
It’s estimated that recycling prevents nearly 75 million tons of asphalt from going to landfills.
Recycled asphalt also provides a significant cost savings to local governments. According to AsphaltRecycling.com, the potential savings is $30 to $80 a ton. The site offers an example of a contractor saving $60 a ton through recycling. If that contractor recycled 50 tons a day for 30 day, their company would have a savings or profit of $90,000.
AsphaltRecyling also reports that recycling asphalt reduces mining, quarrying and oil consumption, as well as cutting down on materials and resources needed to produce virgin asphalt, which is scarce in some areas of the country, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
The National Asphalt Paving Association estimates 1.65 million tons of recycled asphalt product [RAP] was used in 2013 in the U.S., saving taxpayers more than $2 billion.
Using Recycled Asphalt
Ron Reibling, owner of Aurora Asphalt & Concrete in Champlin, Minnesota, says it’s standard industry procedure for companies to use recycled asphalt as a base for residential jobs.
Tyrone Ward, owner of T.M.W Enterprises Paving & Maintenance in Bensenville, Illinois, says all asphalt in Chicago contains about 12 to 14 percent recycled asphalt for driveways and parking lots.
“When we tear out an asphalt driveway, we take it to the gravel pit to dump it,” Reibling says. “They crush it up and turn it into base material, which we in turn purchase and put down under the new asphalt driveway.”
Stanley adds that about 20 percent of new, hot mix asphalt is recycled asphalt.
“But I have heard of a new technology which allows 100 percent recyclability, which would be advantageous in remote areas,” he says. “A homeowner might have a very large private road or driveway that would cost a small fortune to build as a standard [asphalt] road. But it’s more cost-effective when recycled asphalt is used. Advances in asphalt production have progressed rapidly over the last 20 years.”
Though most asphalt contractors use recycled materials in some form or another, many choose not to or don’t have the necessary equipment to work with recycled asphalt. Talk with your driveway contractor about the materials he or she uses.
Hiring Tips for Driveway Installation
1. Invest in a quality stone base. Asphalt with a firm base is just as strong as concrete and will hold up very well over time. Ask for an 8-inch stone base with 2.5 inches of blacktop rather than a 2-inch stone base with 4 inches of blacktop. Asphalt needs an adequate base of 8 inches because: asphalt needs more support than concrete and the freeze-thaw cycle during winter will not crack asphalt that has a significant stone base. Also a good stone base provides adequate load-bearing qualities and proper water drainage.
2. Consider paving with a coat of binder or modified binder. Binder is a rough and durable grade of blacktop with 1-inch stones rather than the typical 3/8-inch stones. Using binder might add tremendous strength to your driveway. Modified binder is a good option if you want a cost-friendly paving job and you have an adequate 8-inch stone base. Modified binder sheds most rainwater and doesn’t need a wearing course — the very top, surface layer of asphalt — to seal it. It is often cheaper and sometimes better than a wearing course.
3. Check out the driveway contractor. Verify the contractor is insured and check out the contractor’s previous jobs - ask for photos of previous work done. See if they show any signs of problems. Hire an asphalt driveway contractor that has modern equipment and an experienced crew. Equipment manufacturers have greatly modernized construction equipment. This benefits the contractor and the customer because the contractor is more efficient and the homeowner benefits financially. More importantly, the customer will often get a higher quality job when the contractor uses modern equipment. Experience with compaction techniques, mat quality and proper joint construction will also make a difference in the quality and longevity of your driveway.
4. Get the job details in a written estimate. In order to obtain an accurate estimate, have a sketch of the home and the desired driveway footprint. Walk the site with the paving contractor and have him/her mark where the paved driveway is to lay.
5. Talk to your contractor about an accessible area for materials. Ask about clean-up.
6. Talk to the contractor about installing proper slopes and drainage. Otherwise, you may end up with water pooling on the finished driveway, or draining into your garage or home.
7. If there are any municipal pipes that need to be raised to the finished height of the driveway, find out if the paving contractors’ quotes include performing this task.
8. Driveway specifications may be subjected to certain community rules. To avoid wasting time and money, check if building a concrete driveway will result in any violation.
9. As the crew begins work, there will be some dust, dirt and noise from the equipment. Keep all windows and doors closed during construction.
10. Lead times can be up to several weeks, so plan appropriately when talking with contractors.
11. Don’t leave your car in the garage that day!
Common Asphalt Scams to Avoid
The scam goes something like this.
You get a knock on the door or approached in the front yard by someone claiming to be an asphalt contractor with leftover material from a nearby job.
They deliver a high-pressure sales pitch and offer to pave your driveway for a ridiculously low price — low enough that you take the bait and pay up front.
After the work is completed — if the company even finishes the job — the alleged contractor demands more money, sometimes hundreds or thousands more. Or, the alleged contractor leaves you with a shoddy driveway constructed with a cheap, inferior product.
If you find yourself in this predicament, you’ve been scammed. As often is the case, if the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Driveway scams are popular during the summer in many regions of the country.
“Beware of door knockers,” says Denise Cooper, owner of John Cooper Paving & Sealing in Abington, Massachusetts. “If someone comes to your door and offers to do your driveway for a good price, it’s almost always a scam.”
Types of Asphalt Driveway Scams
Ron Reibling, owner of Aurora Asphalt & Concrete in Champlin, Minnesota, says door-to-door asphalt scams are the most common. In such cases, the alleged contractor says he or she has extra asphalt from a previous job.
“An asphalt contractor would never have enough extra asphalt in the truck to pave a [second] complete driveway,” Reibling says. “They may have a small amount, but never enough for an entire driveway.”
Reibling says driveways also need, at a minimum, a few days to settle after the old driveway is removed.
Reibling adds that many of these unscrupulous contractors move around from city to city.
“They travel around pulling this scam in different states and are never seen again after they leave your neighborhood,” he says.
Many of the so-called contractors ask for money up front and either don’t finish the project, do substandard work or no work at all.
In some cases, the work may initially look good but, after a short time, the driveway starts to wear or fade because of inferior materials used.
According to the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, these types of crews often work without a written contract and sometimes only accept cash. If they do accept checks, they usually cash them immediately.
There have even been some cases reported where a scammer will pave a driveway without even asking the homeowner and demand money for the work.
Tyrone Ward, owner of TMW Enterprises Paving & Maintenance in Bensenville, Illinois, says many scammers also have no idea what local codes are regarding the required thickness of a driveway.
“Some guys say they’re going to install 4-plus inches and never do, so check with the village codes regarding what should be installed,” Ward says.
How to Avoid Asphalt Scams
One of the best ways to avoid a scam is by making sure the company is legit.
“Just be sure you are hiring a licensed contractor,” says Adam Joseph, owner of All State Paving in Hanover, Maryland. “We have a Maryland Home Improvement Commission that issues licenses.”
The Iowa Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General recommends attaining multiple written estimates, asking to see licenses and permits and checking if the contractor is bonded.
“Never pay in full until the work is completed, limit what you pay in advance, do not pay in cash and get a receipt for your payment,” according to consumer information from the state of Iowa.
Cooper says it never hurts to take a little time before hiring someone to work on your driveway.“A person should always do their research and go with a reputable company,” she says. “By doing this, they ensure that any issues with the install get fixed. When you buy from a door knocker, there is no one to reach out to, and you get stuck with the costs of repairs and any replacements if the job was done badly.”
Conclusion
An asphalt driveway cost lies anywhere between $4,500-$5,500, with a cost per square foot of between $3 to $4. This covers the cost of installing a brand new asphalt driveway on your property.
Installing or renovating an existing driveway is a great way of improving the look of your home and boosting curb appeal. Attractive driveways are also the first thing that potential buyers notice when they express interest in purchasing a home.
Asphalt driveways are a cost-effective option for making your driveway look clean and new. Asphalt handles changes in temperature very well (even better than concrete), and it gives a neat and carpeted appearance to your driveway.
Now that you know the cost and prices, the hiring processshould involve three estimates from different driveway companies. Find your local Angie's List of Driveway pros here to find three or four high-quality companies or immediately contact 3 driveway companies here if you are ready for estimates without doing more homework.
