How Much Does It Cost to Pave a Driveway?
Part of Landscaping & Aggregate
Quick answer
Paving a driveway runs about $2–$4 per square foot for gravel, $7–$13 for asphalt, $8–$18 for poured concrete, and $15–$30 for pavers — installed (US national average, June 2026). A typical 600 ft² (2-car) driveway is roughly $1,500 in gravel, $4,200–$7,800 in asphalt, or $4,800–$10,800 in concrete.
Driveway paving is priced per square foot of surface, and the material you choose swings the total more than anything else. Below are installed costs (material plus labor) for the four common driveway surfaces.
Installed cost per square foot by material
| Surface | Installed cost per ft² | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel | $2–$4 | 10+ yrs (re-top as needed) |
| Asphalt | $7–$13 | 15–20 yrs |
| Poured concrete | $8–$18 | 30–40 yrs |
| Pavers | $15–$30 | 40+ yrs |
Typical total by driveway size
| Driveway | Size | Asphalt | Concrete |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car | 12 × 24 ft (≈300 ft²) | $2,100–$3,900 | $2,400–$5,400 |
| 2-car | 24 × 24 ft (≈600 ft²) | $4,200–$7,800 | $4,800–$10,800 |
| 2-car + parking | 24 × 36 ft (≈850 ft²) | $6,000–$11,000 | $6,800–$15,300 |
What drives the price
- Base prep: soft or sloped sites need more excavation and gravel base.
- Tear-out: removing an old slab or asphalt adds $1–$3 per ft².
- Thickness: a driveway rated for trucks is thicker (and dearer) than one for cars.
- Finish: stamped or colored concrete and patterned pavers cost more than plain.
Size your material first — the paver calculator for a paver driveway, or the gravel/crusher-run calculators for a gravel one — then multiply by a per-ft² figure above. Source: US national average installed-cost references. Last verified: June 2026.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to pave a driveway?
Gravel is cheapest by far, about $2–$4 per square foot installed, and you can DIY it for the cost of the stone. Asphalt is the cheapest hard, smooth surface at roughly $7–$13 per square foot.
Is asphalt or concrete cheaper for a driveway?
Asphalt is usually cheaper to install ($7–$13/ft² vs $8–$18 for concrete) but needs sealing and resurfacing over time. Concrete costs more upfront and lasts longer with less maintenance.
How much does it cost to pave a 2-car driveway?
A typical 600 ft² two-car driveway runs about $4,200–$7,800 in asphalt or $4,800–$10,800 in concrete installed. Gravel is around $1,200–$2,400.