Driveway costs vary significantly by material, size, site conditions, and regional labor rates. Here’s a practical overview of what to expect in many regions in 2026 — and what questions ensure you’re comparing quotes on an equivalent basis.
“The honest answer to ‘how much does a driveway cost?’ Is: it depends almost entirely on the base. The asphalt or concrete is a relatively fixed cost per square foot. The base — how deep it needs to be, what the subgrade condition is, whether the existing material needs to be removed and disposed of — is where the real variation is. That’s why quotes for the ‘same’ driveway can differ by 40%.”
— Yusuf Abara, licensed paving contractor and civil construction specialist with 19 years of experience in residential and commercial asphalt and concrete installation in the local area
Table of Contents
Asphalt Driveway Costs (your region, 2026)
| Project type | Typical installed range |
|---|---|
| Single car (20′ x 20′, 400 sq ft) | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Double car (20′ x 40′, 800 sq ft) | $7,000 – $14,000 |
| Large driveway (1,200 sq ft) | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Per square foot (supply and install) | $8 – $16 |
These ranges assume new installation with proper base preparation (6–8″ compacted granular) and single-lift asphalt (3″ compacted HL3). Double-lift asphalt adds approximately $1–$2 per square foot.
Removal of existing asphalt: Add $2–$4 per square foot for removal and disposal.
Driveway sealing only (existing asphalt): $0.30 – $0.80 per square foot for a quality sealing job.
Concrete Driveway Costs (your region, 2026)
| Project type | Typical installed range |
|---|---|
| Single car (400 sq ft) | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Double car (800 sq ft) | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| Large driveway (1,200 sq ft) | $18,000 – $32,000 |
| Per square foot (standard broom finish) | $12 – $22 |
| Per square foot (exposed aggregate) | $16 – $28 |
| Per square foot (stamped concrete) | $20 – $40+ |
These ranges include base preparation, concrete at 4″ thickness (32 MPa air-entrained), welded wire mesh reinforcement, broom finish, and control joints.
Removal of existing concrete: Add $3–$6 per square foot — concrete is heavier and more expensive to dispose of than asphalt.
What Drives Driveway Costs Up
Base depth requirements. Heavy vehicle access (RVs, boats, trucks) requires deeper base — potentially doubling the base material cost.
Removal of existing material. Removing and disposing of an existing driveway adds $1,500–$6,000 depending on material and size.
Subgrade conditions. Poor native soil (clay, organic material) requires additional subgrade preparation — geotextile fabric, extra base depth, or subgrade stabilization.
Site access. Restricted access for trucks and equipment adds labor cost.
Decorative finishes. Exposed aggregate and stamped concrete add $5–$15+ per square foot over plain broom finish.
Drainage infrastructure. Catch basins, trench drains, or underground discharge pipes add $1,000–$5,000.
The Driveway Sealing Scam
One of the most common consumer fraud patterns in many regions is door-to-door driveway sealing. The typical scenario: a crew arrives unsolicited, offers a “deal” on leftover sealing material, and applies a thin, low-quality product that peels within a season. The price is usually $200–$600 for a job that a legitimate contractor would charge $400–$1,500 for — but the legitimate contractor’s job lasts 3–5 years while the door-to-door job lasts one season.
Never accept a door-to-door driveway sealing offer. Obtain written quotes from established local contractors with verifiable reviews.
Getting Comparable Quotes
Always confirm that quotes specify the same base depth and material before comparing prices. A $6,000 asphalt driveway quote with 8″ of granular base is not comparable to a $4,500 quote with 4″ of base — even for the same driveway dimensions.
For a full breakdown: Questions to Ask When Getting a Driveway Quote
Related Questions
- Questions to Ask a Concrete or Asphalt Driveway Contractor Before You Hire One
- Questions to Ask a Driveway Contractor About Base Preparation and Drainage
- Questions to Ask When Getting a Driveway Quote
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