How Much Does It Cost to Repave a Driveway in 2024?

Average Cost to Repave a Driveway

Driveway Repaving Cost Factors

The steepness of your property and any required landscaping means more labor to prepare your driveway, increasing the total cost of your driveway repaving project.

Steepness

Repaving a driveway in a steep yard requires excavating and grading before paving can start. Excavating and grading a residential driveway typically costs $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the length of the driveway and the steepness of the property.

Landscaping

If you’re repaving an existing driveway, you may not have to worry about budgeting for landscaping. However, if you’re adding a new driveway, changing or widening the route, or repaving to compensate for structural issues, landscaping may be required before driveway construction can start.

Labor

Labor costs depend primarily on the size of your driveway and the paving material you choose. Longer driveways take more time to install, which drives up the total cost of your project.

Materials like gravel are quick and easy to install, making them a budget-friendly option in terms of labor and material costs. Labor costs for gravel range from $3 to $7 per square foot, compared to $18 to $35 per square foot for a paver stone driveway.

Labor costs may also vary depending on where you live. Cities with a high cost of living typically have higher labor costs.

Additional Driveway Repaving Cost Factors

In addition to the labor and materials required to repave a driveway, it’s important to budget for demolition, permits, and extra features.

Add-Ons and Features

Repaving a driveway is a good opportunity to add additional features to improve the comfort or functionality of your yard. A heated driveway costs an average of $12 to $28 per square foot and can reduce the burden of maintenance in cold climates. If you live in an area with high levels of precipitation, a trench or channel drain can reduce the risk of pooling water or flooding. Improved drainage features typically cost $400 to $2,400 per driveway.

Demolition

If you currently have a driveway, you’ll have to budget for demolition and removal before the new driveway paving project can begin. Breaking up and removing an existing driveway typically costs $1 to $4 per square foot in labor costs.

Permits

Depending on where you live, you may need a permit before you can begin driveway construction. These range from $50 to $200 on average. Your local regulation office can advise you on permit prices and when to buy your permit.

Driveway Repaving Cost by Material

Paving material is one of the biggest cost factors. In addition to the cost of the materials, some types also require more labor to install.

Concrete

Concrete driveways are popular due to their versatility, durability, and long lifespan. Concrete driveways cost $4 to $8 per square foot for materials and offer the option to stamp or stain to create a unique aesthetic (although these details come at an extra price on top of the base cost). 

Concrete requires minimal maintenance and can last 30 to 40 years in the right climate. It’s a popular paving choice for warm climates but is less suited to cold areas as concrete can crack when frozen.

Asphalt

Asphalt offers a strong cold-climate alternative to concrete. Although it has a slightly shorter lifespan—usually about 20 years—it can withstand freezing temperatures without cracking. Asphalt isn’t recommended for hot climates because it can soften in high temperatures. Asphalt driveways average $1 to $5 per square foot for materials, making them an affordable, low-maintenance option.

Gravel

Gravel driveways are one of the most affordable paving options, at $1 to $3 per square foot. They’re quick and easy to install, and their budget-friendly nature makes them a great fit for long driveways. Gravel isn't vulnerable to climate, so it can be used in any temperature.

Although gravel driveways cost less upfront than other options, homeowners must periodically add new gravel every few years. Gravel driveways are slightly rougher on vehicles compared to concrete or asphalt and provide a more rustic look.

Rubber

Recycled rubber can be added onto a concrete or asphalt base as a smooth, forgiving addition to a paved driveway. It’s especially popular for homeowners who enjoy spending time outdoors or using their driveway for sports or other activities. Rubber paving typically lasts about 15 years and costs $5 to $10 per square foot.

Rubber driveways don’t allow water to flow through, so it’s important that your driveway is properly angled to prevent flooding or pooling.

Paving Stones

Paving stones create a beautiful, unique driveway that lasts 50 to 100 years. Repairs are often easier and more affordable than other driveways because individual bricks or paving stones can be replaced quickly. Paver driveways cost $7 to $20 per square foot for materials and typically have a higher labor cost due to a longer installation time.

Driveway Repaving Cost by Square Foot

Square footage is one of the biggest factors when calculating driveway repaving costs. Long driveways require more time and materials to complete. Depending on materials and labor costs, repaving a driveway costs anywhere from $3 to $15 per square foot. 

Most two-car driveways average about 600 square feet. In addition to the price per square foot of your chosen material, longer driveways may also have higher costs for landscaping and other prep work.

Driveway Repaving vs. Resurfacing

If your driveway is cracked or showing other signs of damage, it may be time to consider repairs. Driveway repairs cost around $1,800, compared to an average of $5,000 for the cost to build a driveway, so it’s often worth exploring repair options.

There are two common methods to fix a driveway—repaving and resurfacing.

Repaving involves completely removing the old driveway material and replacing it. This is a good choice for driveways with major structural damage such as deep cracks that penetrate the base material, or older driveways that have been repaired or resurfaced multiple times. Repaving is also an option if you want to completely change the look of your driveway—for example, going from asphalt to paver stones.

Resurfacing is a budget-friendly solution for structurally sound driveways with surface damage. It involves removing only the top layer of the driveway, which requires less labor and materials than a full repaving job. Most resurfacing costs $1 to $10 per square foot or $400 to $4,000 for the average 20-by-20-foot driveway.

Does Repaving a Driveway Increase Home Value?

Repaving your driveway can improve the functionality and curb appeal of your home, which may help increase its value. The added value depends on the type of driveway material. If concrete and asphalt driveways are common in your neighborhood, adding this type of driveway can help support resale prices. Paver stone driveways are among the most durable and appealing designs, but they come with the highest upfront cost. It’s also important to consider maintenance needs—low-maintenance driveways may be more inviting to some potential buyers.

Budgeting for Repaving a Driveway

Repaving a driveway requires professional expertise and equipment, but there are several steps you can take to keep the project on budget:

• Consider the climate when choosing your materials. While an asphalt driveway may have a lower cost upfront, it can soften in hot climates and cause problems. Similarly, concrete has a long lifespan but breaks down in cold areas. Choosing the right material can save you repair costs in the long run, even if it costs more upfront.

• Keep up with driveway maintenance. Sealing an asphalt driveway every two to three years prolongs its lifespan and reduces the likelihood of costly repairs.

• Book during the off-season. Driveway maintenance and installation tends to be busiest in early spring, so plan ahead and consider installation in the fall.

• Consider tackling smaller tasks yourself. While excavation, grading, and asphalt installation are jobs for the pros, tasks like adding a driveway sealant can be managed if you’re comfortable with DIY.

• Ask about resurfacing vs. repaving. If your driveway is still structurally sound and you don’t need to make major changes, resurfacing can revitalize your driveway at a lower cost.

• Contact several contractors. Get in touch with multiple paving companies in your area to compare quotes.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.