Driveway cost comes down to two things: how big it is and what it is made of. The surface is the biggest lever — a gravel driveway and a paver driveway of the same size can be a 10x difference in price. Get the surface and the square footage right and the rest is detail.
The clean way to plan is per square foot by surface, then add the site work. That is how the driveway cost calculator is built: pick a surface, set the installed price per square foot for your market, and it returns a low-to-high installed range.
Cost per square foot by surface (2026)
| Surface | Installed $/sq ft | 2-car (800 sq ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | $1-$5 | $800-$4,000 | Cheapest; needs regrading and top-ups |
| Asphalt | $4-$12 | $3,200-$9,600 | Mid-cost; seal every few years; ~15-20 yr life |
| Concrete | $6-$18 | $4,800-$14,400 | Higher upfront; ~25-30 yr life; low maintenance |
| Pavers | $10-$30 | $8,000+ | Premium look and price; repairable unit by unit |
Size first: measure the footprint
A single-car driveway is often around 10 to 12 ft wide; a double is around 20 ft. Length to a typical garage runs 20 to 40 ft. Multiply width by length for the square footage, then apply the per-foot price. A 40 x 20 ft double driveway is 800 sq ft — the basis for the table above.
What the per-foot price usually includes — and what it doesn't
The installed per-square-foot price generally covers the surface material, labor, and a standard compacted base. It usually does not include:
- Tear-out and disposal of an old driveway
- Extra base depth or grading on soft or sloped ground
- Drainage, culverts, or retaining edges
- Decorative finishes (stamped concrete, colored or permeable pavers)
- Permits and apron or curb-cut work at the street
Asphalt vs concrete: the common decision
Most homeowners weighing a hard surface are choosing between asphalt and concrete. Asphalt is cheaper to install and faster to use, but it is softer, needs sealing, and has a shorter life. Concrete costs more upfront and can crack in freeze-thaw climates, but it lasts longer and needs less upkeep. In very cold regions, asphalt's flexibility can be an advantage; in hot regions, it can soften.
Gravel and pavers: the ends of the range
Gravel is the budget option and a fine choice for long rural drives, but it migrates, needs a defined edge, and gets regraded over time. Pavers are the premium end — beautiful, repairable one unit at a time, and permeable options help with drainage — but the labor-intensive install puts them at the top of the price range.
How to compare driveway quotes
- Confirm the square footage each contractor used.
- Match the surface and thickness (e.g., 2 vs 3 inches of asphalt).
- Check base depth and whether grading is included.
- Find the removal and disposal line for the old driveway.
- List drainage, edges, permits, and apron work separately.
Run your driveway through the driveway cost calculator, switch surfaces to compare, and use the low-to-high range as a sanity check against local quotes. If you are doing asphalt yourself or buying material, the asphalt calculator turns the area and depth into tons.
FAQ
How much does a new driveway cost?
For a typical 2-car driveway (about 600 to 800 sq ft) installed in 2026, gravel runs roughly $1,000 to $4,000, asphalt $3,000 to $9,600, concrete $4,800 to $14,400, and pavers $8,000 or more. Size, surface, base prep, and region drive the number.
What is the cheapest driveway surface?
Gravel is the cheapest to install at about $1 to $5 per square foot, but it needs regrading and top-ups over time. Asphalt is the next step up and is usually cheaper than concrete upfront.
Is asphalt or concrete better for a driveway?
Asphalt costs less and installs faster but lasts about 15 to 20 years and needs sealing. Concrete costs more but often lasts 25 to 30 years with less maintenance. Climate, budget, and look usually decide it.
What is not in the per-square-foot price?
Tearing out an old driveway, extra base or grading on poor soil, drainage, retaining edges, decorative finishes, and permits are typically separate. Always get the scope in writing.