Asphalt driveway cost by size
Estimates from this page's default prices for 3 in of compacted hot mix asphalt on 6 in of gravel base, average site prep and no old driveway to remove. Change the defaults above to match quotes or plant prices near you.
| Driveway | Asphalt | Installed | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 × 20 ft (1-car) | 4.6 tons | $3,050–$4,550 | $15.79 |
| 20 × 20 ft (2-car) | 7.6 tons | $4,100–$6,150 | $12.85 |
| 24 × 24 ft | 11 tons | $5,250–$7,900 | $11.43 |
| 12 × 50 ft | 11.4 tons | $5,450–$8,150 | $11.34 |
| 25 × 40 ft (1,000 sq ft) | 19 tons | $8,200–$12,300 | $10.25 |
| 30 × 50 ft (1,500 sq ft) | 28.5 tons | $11,600–$17,400 | $9.67 |
How much does it cost to pave a driveway?
With these defaults, paving a typical 2-car driveway with asphalt comes to about $4,100–$6,150. Asphalt and gravel come to about $1,609 of that. The rest is the contractor's markup, labor, and the roller and other equipment. Hot mix has to be spread and rolled while it's hot, so paving is rarely a DIY job. Many paving companies have a minimum job size, so a small driveway can cost more per square foot than this.
Asphalt driveway cost per square foot
In the table above, an asphalt driveway 3 in thick comes to about $9.67–$15.79 per square foot installed, falling as the driveway gets bigger. A thinner 2 in layer brings it to about $11.11 per sq ft for a 20 × 20 and about $7.92 for 1,500 sq ft. Reusing a sound existing base, with no new gravel, brings a 20 × 20 down to about $9.96 per sq ft.
Asphalt vs concrete driveway cost
With our concrete driveway cost estimator's defaults (4 in with rebar on 4 in of gravel), a 20 × 20 concrete driveway comes to about $3,550–$5,350, against $4,100–$6,150 in asphalt here. A 12 × 50 driveway is about $5,000–$7,550 in concrete and $5,450–$8,150 in asphalt. With these defaults asphalt comes out higher, mostly because paving equipment and setup cost the same on a small job. The gap varies a lot by region and season, so get quotes for both. Sealing asphalt every few years is part of its cost.
Removal and sealing
Removing an old asphalt driveway defaults to $2 per sq ft here, which brings a 20 × 20 job to about $4,750–$7,150. A first sealcoat at $0.25 per sq ft brings it to about $4,200–$6,300. New asphalt usually needs to cure for months before it's sealed, so that's often a separate visit.
What changes the price
- Size: the equipment and setup cost the same for any job, so big driveways cost less per square foot.
- Thickness: each inch of asphalt adds about a third to the tons for a 3 in driveway.
- Base: a new driveway needs excavation and a full gravel base. A resurfacing job over a sound base costs much less.
- Asphalt prices: plants price hot mix by the ton, and it moves with oil prices. Ask your plant.
- The apron and permit: work at the street often needs a permit. Check with your town.
How this estimate works
Asphalt tons are length × width × compacted thickness × 145 lb per cubic foot plus 5%, ordered in half tons at $110 a ton plus $150 trucking, as in our asphalt calculator. The gravel base is crusher run at 1.5 tons per cubic yard plus 15% for compaction, $38 a ton and $85 delivery.
The contractor's markup on materials is 20%. Labor is 2 hours plus 1.2 hours per ton to place and roll the asphalt, plus 1.5 hours per 100 sq ft to grade and compact the base. Labor is charged at $120 an hour, a billed rate that includes the contractor's overhead and profit, not a crew wage. Paving equipment, trucks and setup are a flat $1,200 per job. The range is the result minus 20% to plus 20%. Change any of these above.
Homewyse puts an asphalt (asphaltic concrete) driveway at $12.46–$15.23 per sq ft installed (Homewyse, May 2026), including light grading and a gravel base but not excavation or removal of an old driveway. This estimate's default 20 × 20 driveway, with 6 in of gravel base and no removal, comes to about $12.85 per sq ft.
Getting quotes
Compare quotes on compacted thickness (not loose), base depth, how the edges are finished, removal of the old surface and drainage. Ask whether sealing is included and when. If a quote is far below this estimate, ask what's left out.
Questions
How much does a 20x20 asphalt driveway cost?
With this page's defaults, a 20 × 20 ft asphalt driveway, 3 in thick on 6 in of gravel, comes to about $4,100–$6,150 installed, or about $12.85 per sq ft. It takes about 7.6 tons of asphalt.
How much is asphalt per square foot?
Installed, about $9.67–$15.79 per square foot for a 3 in driveway with these defaults, depending on size. Big driveways and thinner layers cost less per square foot.
Is asphalt cheaper than concrete?
Not with these defaults. A 20 × 20 driveway is about $4,100–$6,150 in asphalt and $3,550–$5,350 in concrete, because paving equipment and setup weigh heavily on a small job. Prices vary by region, so get quotes for both.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
Residential driveways are commonly 2–3 in of compacted asphalt over a gravel base. Heavier traffic and soft soil call for more.