Most homeowners don’t put much thought into their driveways until problems develop. Though a good driveway can last for decades, even the most durable materials crack or shift eventually, and issues with the underlying ground can cause poor water drainage or sinking.

Fortunately, a new driveway can increase your home’s curb appeal and resale value. According to multiple paving contractors, a new driveway can add $5,000–$7,000 to the value of a home. This guide breaks down the costs for repaving with some of the most popular driveway materials and other factors to consider for your budget.

What Is Repaving a Driveway?

To repave a driveway, you must demolish and remove the old paving materials and level the ground before laying new materials down. Doing this also allows you to make changes such as widening the driveway, switching paving materials, or adding features such as heat or an alarm. 

---

Average Driveway Repaving Cost

The average cost to repave a 400-square-foot driveway (20-feet-by-20-feet) is between $2,800 and $9,600. That’s $400–$1,600 to break up and remove the old driveway and $2,400–$8,000 to pour new asphalt or concrete. However, costs may vary even more based on the following factors:

• Material type: Some materials, such as stamped concrete, are more expensive or difficult to install than others.
• Square footage: The larger your driveway, the more it will cost to repave.

Driveway Repaving Cost by Material Type

Asphalt (also called blacktop) and concrete driveways are the most common, but they’re not the only options. Even though some paving materials, such as bricks, are inexpensive, they come with high installation costs. We’ll explore each of these materials in more detail below.

Asphalt

Asphalt is the most common driveway material in cold climates since, unlike concrete, it can expand and contract in freezing temperatures without cracking. Asphalt driveways are also less expensive to install than concrete driveways and are cheaper and easier to repair. 

Blacktop only lasts about 20 years and requires resealing every three to five years, usually costing between $280 and $840. Additionally, asphalt doesn’t do well in hot climates because it can soften in the heat.

Brick and Cobblestone Pavers

Both bricks and cobblestones can be laid in geometric patterns to create an elegant appearance customized to match the exterior of your home. These are highly durable materials when properly installed, as bricks can last up to 50 years and cobblestones up to 100. They’re also relatively easy to repair since individual bricks or stones can be removed and replaced. However, even though the materials are inexpensive, they require a lot of preparation and labor to install.

Concrete

The material of choice in hot climates, concrete is low-maintenance and can last up to four decades. Like asphalt, concrete driveways must be resealed every three to five years. They cost more than asphalt but last longer. 

You also have a few more design options, as the concrete can be stamped with patterns or stained for custom colors. This is a little more expensive than pouring plain concrete. Unfortunately, this material is unsuitable for cold climates since it can crack in freezing temperatures.

Exposed Aggregate

Aggregate provides a textured, pebbled finish that looks like paving stones but at a much lower price. It requires far less time and labor to install and can last up to 40 years if properly maintained. The downside is the high level of maintenance: You need to sweep it nearly daily to prevent staining and buildup.

Gravel

Gravel may be the best bet for those on strict budgets since it’s inexpensive and quick to install. It can also last up to a century since it won’t crack or soften, only sink. The only necessary maintenance is to add more gravel periodically. However, gravel has a distinctive rugged appearance that not all homeowners like, and it’s rougher to drive on.

Rubber

Recycled rubber is a newer choice that’s fairly eco-friendly. The rubber is poured over a concrete or asphalt base and provides a soft, resilient surface that’s smooth to drive and walk on. Recycled rubber may be an excellent choice if you have children or pets who like to play outside. The downside is that it has the lowest longevity of any material on our list at about 15 years. It’s also nonporous, so rainwater tends to pool on it, and if the driveway isn’t carefully angled, this may cause flooding.

Driveway Repaving Cost by Square Foot

Large driveways require more materials and extra labor to install. A driveway usually needs to be a minimum of 12 feet wide, though some circumstances may necessitate a narrower lane. A concrete or asphalt driveway costs about $6–$20 per square foot. Here’s how that totals up for driveways of various sizes.

---

Replacing vs. Resurfacing a Driveway

A complete repaving job isn’t your only option if your existing driveway material is cracked on the surface, but the base is still in good shape. You can also choose to resurface it, which involves stripping only the top layer of material and replacing it. Resurfacing, also called capping or overlay, is cheaper than replacement, usually costing between $1 and $10 per square foot. That’s about $400–$4,000 for a 20-foot-by-20-foot driveway.

The final step of installing a new asphalt driveway, called sealcoating, is meant to protect the driveway from the elements, particularly in extreme climates. A new coat of sealant should be applied roughly every three years to asphalt pavement, concrete, or exposed aggregate to extend their lifespan. This isn’t the same as a full resurfacing, but applying new sealer costs $0.70 to $2.10 per square foot.

---

Additional Cost Factors for Repaving a Driveway

The overall cost of driveway installation can involve more than materials and labor. Here are some additional factors that may impact the total price:

• Demolishing the old driveway: It usually costs about $1–$4 per square foot to break up existing asphalt or other material, remove the pieces, and dispose of the waste.
• Labor costs: Laying down a gravel driveway only costs $3–$7 per square foot, but a cobblestone or brick driveway can cost upwards of $18–$35 on top of material costs. Driveways with unusual shapes or steep inclines will also cost more to install.
• Driveway repair: To keep your new driveway from cracking or shifting, paving contractors may need to regrade the soil underneath or install a new drainage system.
• Landscaping: You may need to have trees or bushes removed or relocated if their roots interfere with the driveway.
• Additional features: Installing a heated driveway, culvert, or driveway alarm will cost more in both materials and labor. 
• Permits: Driveway paving may require a permit from your city or county, which can run from $50–$500.

---

Professional vs. DIY Driveway Repaving

Driveway paving costs are so high that some homeowners may be tempted to take on the job themselves. However, because of the heavy machinery required, this home improvement project is best left to the professionals. 

If you did it yourself, you’d need to rent or buy a dump truck, plate compactor, skid steer, and a concrete mixer or asphalt paving rig to work with those materials. You should hire a professional driveway contractor for the best results and highest durability. The exception is gravel, which you may be able to install yourself, particularly in small amounts.

---

Signs That You Need to Repave Your Driveway

Although some driveway materials can last for decades, they eventually need to be resurfaced or replaced. If you see any of these signs, you may need to budget for a new driveway:

• Cracks, warps, or potholes
• Pooling water and poor drainage
• Crumbling or sinking edges or corners
• More than 40 years old

---

How To Save on Driveway Repaving Costs

Since you won’t be able to repave your driveway yourself, you can try some of these other ways to save money:

• If possible, resurface your driveway instead of replacing it entirely.
• Keep the design of your driveway simple, with straight lines, and as small as you reasonably can.
• Do as much prep work as possible, including removing landscaping features.
• If you want pavers, choose a preformed paver base to reduce labor costs.
• Opt for an inexpensive and highly durable material such as concrete or gravel.
• Get quotes from multiple paving contractors, and ask whether off-season pricing is cheaper.
• If you install a new driveway that requires sealing, keep up with maintenance and add a new coat of sealant every three to five years.

---

How To Hire a Professional

Hiring a paving contractor is similar to hiring most other types of contractors, but here are some tips to guide your search.

• Know whether your state requires asphalt contractors to have a license, and make sure any potential contractors meet this requirement.
• Regardless of license requirements, ensure the contractor is bonded and insured to protect you and your property.
• Ask about which driveway materials work best in your region’s climate.
• Request references and look at examples of the company’s previous work.
• Check the contractor’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and online reviews.
• Ask about warranties or guarantees on labor and materials.
• Get detailed quotes in writing from at least three potential hires. Think critically about any company that gives you an estimate far outside of the average price in your area.

---

Our Conclusion

If done correctly, having your driveway repaved is something that you’ll only need to take care of every few decades, so it pays to think long-term. Choose a durable material that works well in your home’s climate, and make sure you know how to maintain it.

FAQ About Repaving a Driveway

How long will it take to repave a driveway?

It takes three to seven days to demolish an old driveway and install a new one for most properties. The time frame will largely depend on the paving material you choose and the size of the driveway. It may be an additional five days before asphalt and concrete cure enough for you to park your car on the new driveway.

How often do you repave a driveway?

An asphalt driveway should be repaved about every 20 years, but a concrete driveway can last up to 40 years. However, you may need to replace your driveway sooner if it’s poorly maintained or develops cracks or potholes.

Is it better to resurface or replace your driveway?

If your driveway has a solid base and only light to moderate damage, it’s less expensive and time-consuming to resurface it. If there are cracks wider than a quarter-inch or multiple potholes, you’ll get better, longer-lasting results by replacing the driveway entirely.

Can you pave a driveway yourself?

Paving with asphalt or concrete is not a do-it-yourself job, as it requires heavy equipment. You may be able to lay down a small gravel driveway yourself.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.