Planning a new driveway or resurfacing an old one? This free asphalt driveway cost calculator gives you an instant paving estimate based on your driveway size. Enter the dimensions or total square footage, choose a price range, and see the estimated total cost, the cost per square foot, and roughly how many tons of asphalt the job needs.
Quick Answer: A new asphalt driveway typically costs $7 to $13 per square foot installed, so a standard 20 × 40 ft (800 sq ft) driveway runs about $5,600 to $10,400, with $8,000 a common mid-range figure. Cost depends on driveway size, asphalt thickness, site prep, and local labor rates. Use the calculator below for an estimate tailored to your driveway.
Choose how you want to enter your driveway. Use Dimensions if you know the length and width, or Total Area if you already have the square footage.
Enter your driveway size and price range to get an instant estimate.
The estimate assumes standard hot-mix asphalt over a prepared gravel base. Your final quote from a paving contractor will depend on local prices, site conditions, and how much prep work your driveway needs.
The calculator uses two simple steps: it works out your driveway area, then multiplies that area by a cost-per-square-foot rate to estimate the installed price.
Total Cost = Area (sq ft) × Price per sq ft
Area = Length × WidthNeed to measure an irregular driveway first? Use our square footage calculator to add up the area, then bring that number back here.
Most contractors price asphalt driveways by the square foot. The installed rate covers material, labor, base preparation, and equipment. For a typical residential job in the United States, expect these ranges:
| Price Tier | Cost / Sq Ft | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $7 – $8 | Thin overlay, minimal prep, simple flat site |
| Average | $9 – $11 | Standard 3" asphalt, proper gravel base |
| Premium | $12 – $15 | Thick asphalt, full excavation, slopes or curves |
The cost per square foot drops as the driveway gets larger, because mobilization and setup costs are spread across more area. Small driveways often carry a minimum charge that pushes the effective per-foot rate higher.
This chart shows estimated installed cost for common driveway sizes at budget, average, and premium rates. Bookmark it as a quick reference before you request quotes.
| Driveway Size | Area | Budget ($7) | Average ($10) | Premium ($13) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 car — 10 × 20 ft | 200 sq ft | $1,400 | $2,000 | $2,600 |
| 1 car long — 10 × 40 ft | 400 sq ft | $2,800 | $4,000 | $5,200 |
| 2 car — 20 × 20 ft | 400 sq ft | $2,800 | $4,000 | $5,200 |
| 2 car standard — 20 × 40 ft | 800 sq ft | $5,600 | $8,000 | $10,400 |
| 2 car wide — 24 × 40 ft | 960 sq ft | $6,720 | $9,600 | $12,480 |
| 3 car — 30 × 40 ft | 1,200 sq ft | $8,400 | $12,000 | $15,600 |
| Long rural — 12 × 100 ft | 1,200 sq ft | $8,400 | $12,000 | $15,600 |
📋 Scenario
You want a new asphalt driveway that is 40 feet long and 20 feet wide, at 3 inches thick, using an average installed rate.
Step 1 — Area: 40 × 20 = 800 sq ft
Step 2 — Cost: 800 × $10 = $8,000
Step 3 — Asphalt tonnage: 800 sq ft × 3 in thick ≈ 14.5 tons of hot-mix asphalt
To split that cost into monthly payments if you are financing the work, our mortgage calculator can model a home-improvement loan, and the percentage calculator helps you work out deposit or contingency amounts.
Two driveways of the same size can have very different price tags. The main cost drivers are:
Driveway size. The single biggest factor — more square footage means more material and labor.
Asphalt thickness. A 4-inch driveway built for trucks or RVs uses more material than a 2-inch residential surface, raising both cost and tonnage.
Site preparation. Removing an old driveway, grading a slope, or building up a weak base adds cost before any asphalt is laid.
Base and drainage. A proper compacted gravel base and good drainage extend the life of the driveway but add to the upfront price.
Location and labor. Regional labor rates, oil and asphalt material prices, and demand all move the per-square-foot cost up or down.
Shape and access. Curves, slopes, and tight access for paving equipment slow the crew down and increase labor time.
A few practical steps can lower your total cost without cutting quality:
Get at least three written quotes so you can compare the cost per square foot fairly. Schedule paving in the off-season when crews are less busy. Resurface instead of replacing if the base is still sound — an overlay costs far less than a full tear-out. Keep the shape simple, since straight edges are cheaper to pave than curves. And maintain the finished driveway with sealcoating every few years to avoid early, expensive repairs.
Ready to estimate your driveway cost?
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