Driveway Paving Cost Calculator
Pick your pavement type and a surface price per square foot to estimate the driveway paving cost.
What your result means
Total cost is the area times your surface price per square foot. This is the paving (surface) only, not base prep, grading, or drainage, which are separate line items. An overlay is the cheapest option if the existing base is sound; a full tear-off and replace costs more. Tear-off of an old surface adds $1 to $2 a square foot.
How to use this calculator
- Calculate driveway area.
- Pick pavement type and cost.
- Read total cost.
- Note: Paving = surface only. Base prep and grading are separate costs.
The formula
Driveway area is length times width. Multiply by the surface price per square foot. This covers the paving surface only, not base prep or grading.
Worked example
Say you're putting a 40 by 12 ft asphalt overlay at $3 a square foot. The area is 480 sq ft, so the surface runs $1,440, before base prep and grading.
Driveway paving cost (surface only, per sq ft)
| Work | Surface cost per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Asphalt overlay | $2 – $4 |
| Full asphalt replacement | $4 – $8 |
| Old surface tear-off | +$1 – $2 |
Tips & gotchas
- Paving cost is the surface course only.
- Base prep, grading, and drainage are separate line items.
- Get itemized quotes so you're comparing apples to apples.
- Tearing off the old surface adds $1 to $2 a square foot.
- An overlay is the cheapest route at $2 to $4 a square foot.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'paving' include?
The surface course only. Base prep, drainage, and grading are separate.
How much does it cost to repave a driveway?
An asphalt overlay is $2 to $4 a square foot; a full replacement is $4 to $8.
Can I overlay over old asphalt?
Yes, if the old surface is structurally sound with no major cracks.
How often should I repave?
Asphalt every 15 to 25 years, with sealcoating in between.
Is an overlay cheaper than full replacement?
Yes, about half the cost, but only if the base underneath is still good.
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Estimates only — see our full disclaimer.