Asphalt is the budget-friendly driveway: cheaper to install than concrete and quick to pave. A new asphalt driveway costs $3,000 to $7,000 in 2026, or about $3 to $7 per square foot — and resurfacing an existing one costs far less.
What you’re paying for
The asphalt itself is only part of the bill. You’re paying for excavation, a graded gravel base, paving and compaction, and a first sealcoat. The base is the part that decides whether the driveway lasts 20 years or cracks in five.
New, resurface, or sealcoat
These are three different jobs at three different prices. Sealcoating ($0.15–$0.50/sq ft) is routine maintenance. Resurfacing ($1–$3/sq ft) lays a new top over a sound base. A new driveway ($3–$7/sq ft) tears out and rebuilds.
Asphalt vs. concrete
Asphalt wins on upfront cost; concrete wins on lifespan and low upkeep. Asphalt needs resealing every couple of years, but it’s more forgiving of freeze-thaw cracking and cheaper to repair.
How to save on an asphalt driveway
- Resurface instead of replace if the base is still solid.
- Seal on schedule (every 2–3 years) to avoid an early tear-out.
- Pave in warm weather — asphalt lays and compacts better.
- Get the base right the first time; it’s the cheapest insurance against cracks.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Excavation & grading | $600 – $1,800 | – |
| Gravel base | $500 – $1,500 | – |
| Asphalt material & paving | $1,200 – $3,000 | – |
| Labor & compaction | $700 – $1,500 | – |
| Sealcoat (first coat) | $100 – $300 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sealcoating | $0.15 – $0.50 / sq ft | Maintenance, every 2–3 years |
| Resurface / overlay | $1 – $3 / sq ft | New top layer over a sound base |
| New asphalt driveway | $3 – $7 / sq ft | – |
| Heated / premium base | $8 – $15 / sq ft | – |
What affects the price
- Size & shape Priced per square foot, so a long or wide driveway costs more; curves and tight access slow paving.
- Base preparation A proper gravel base, graded for drainage, is what keeps asphalt from cracking — and a big part of the cost.
- New vs. resurface Laying a fresh top layer over a solid base costs a fraction of a full tear-out and replacement.
- Thickness A thicker asphalt layer (and stronger base) costs more but holds up to heavy vehicles.
- Old driveway removal Tearing out and hauling away old asphalt or concrete adds labor and disposal fees.
Asphalt driveway cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical asphalt driveway job costs about $3,500 to $8,200 in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $2,600 to $6,000 (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,600 – $6,100 |
| Alaska | $3,400 – $8,000 |
| Arizona | $2,900 – $6,700 |
| Arkansas | $2,600 – $6,000 |
| California | $3,400 – $7,800 |
| Colorado | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Connecticut | $3,200 – $7,500 |
| Delaware | $2,900 – $6,900 |
| District of Columbia | $3,200 – $7,600 |
| Florida | $2,700 – $6,400 |
| Georgia | $2,800 – $6,400 |
| Hawaii | $3,500 – $8,200 |
| Idaho | $2,800 – $6,600 |
| Illinois | $3,400 – $8,000 |
| Indiana | $3,000 – $7,100 |
| Iowa | $2,900 – $6,800 |
| Kansas | $2,900 – $6,700 |
| Kentucky | $2,800 – $6,500 |
| Louisiana | $2,700 – $6,300 |
| Maine | $2,900 – $6,900 |
| Maryland | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Massachusetts | $3,400 – $8,000 |
| Michigan | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Minnesota | $3,300 – $7,600 |
| Mississippi | $2,600 – $6,100 |
| Missouri | $3,100 – $7,100 |
| Montana | $2,900 – $6,900 |
| Nebraska | $2,800 – $6,600 |
| Nevada | $3,100 – $7,200 |
| New Hampshire | $3,000 – $6,900 |
| New Jersey | $3,400 – $8,000 |
| New Mexico | $2,800 – $6,400 |
| New York | $3,300 – $7,700 |
| North Carolina | $2,700 – $6,300 |
| North Dakota | $3,000 – $7,100 |
| Ohio | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Oklahoma | $2,700 – $6,400 |
| Oregon | $3,300 – $7,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,000 – $7,100 |
| Rhode Island | $3,100 – $7,300 |
| South Carolina | $2,700 – $6,400 |
| South Dakota | $2,700 – $6,300 |
| Tennessee | $2,800 – $6,400 |
| Texas | $2,700 – $6,400 |
| Utah | $2,800 – $6,600 |
| Vermont | $2,900 – $6,800 |
| Virginia | $2,900 – $6,700 |
| Washington | $3,500 – $8,100 |
| West Virginia | $2,900 – $6,700 |
| Wisconsin | $3,100 – $7,300 |
| Wyoming | $3,000 – $6,900 |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does an asphalt driveway cost per square foot?
- A new asphalt driveway runs about $3–$7 per square foot installed. Resurfacing is much cheaper at $1–$3 per square foot, and sealcoating is $0.15–$0.50. A typical driveway totals $3,000–$7,000.
- Is asphalt or concrete cheaper for a driveway?
- Asphalt is cheaper upfront — usually $3–$7 per square foot versus $6–$12 for concrete. Concrete lasts longer and needs less upkeep, while asphalt needs resealing every few years. See our asphalt-vs-concrete driveway comparison.
- How long does an asphalt driveway last?
- About 15–25 years if it's sealed regularly and the base was done right. Skipping sealcoating and starting with a thin base are the two biggest reasons asphalt fails early.
- How often should I seal an asphalt driveway?
- Every 2–3 years. The first sealcoat should wait 6–12 months after install so the asphalt cures, then reseal on that cycle to prevent cracks and UV damage.
- Can I resurface instead of replacing?
- If the base is sound and the cracks are surface-level, a 1.5–2 inch overlay ($1–$3 per square foot) restores the driveway for far less than a full replacement. Deep cracks or a failing base mean replacement.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources:
- Asphalt Driveway Cost (2026), HomeGuide
- How Much Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost?, Angi
- Asphalt Driveway Cost, Fixr