Pave Driveway Costs

A paved driveway has variable costs depending on its size and the materials used. Having a driveway installed provides a stable surface for your cars and can improve the look of your home. The shape of your driveway and any decorative finishes will also impact the overall cost. There are a variety of materials available for driveway paving, and each has its own pros and cons to consider.

A typical driveway designed for two cars is about 16 feet wide, with no curves or slopes, and averages 38 feet long. This equates to 68 square yards or 600 square feet. When measuring your driveway, these are the numbers that you need to have, as most materials and jobs are costed by the area, rather than the man hours involved.

Pave driveway: 600 square feet.

Other considerations and costs

• Your site may require land clearing and preparation, including things like site grading and excavation ($325) or removal of trees, shrubs, and landscaping. This is something that should be included in your estimate from the paving company or driveway installers, in addition to the price for the driveway itself.
• Small driveway companies or handymen may be able to complete some jobs for a lower price. However, if you are designing a complex driveway or have a large space that needs paving, it may be better to hire an engineer to complete the design before you have the work completed.
• Any driveway that has slopes, angles, or curves will have a premium cost. The engineering required for water runoff, safe leveling, and land preparation can get quite expensive.
• This cost estimate does not include permits and taxes. The cost for these vary from one area to the next, but you can contact your local administrative authority or ask your driveway contractor about how the permit process works.
• Gravel is the most affordable option, but it will typically require replacement more often as it settles into the earth. Plus, it kicks up a lot of dust and debris and can affect your indoor air quality if you keep your windows open. A hard-paved driveway is a much better option for a number of reasons.

Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.

DIY considerations

• Because of the structural engineering and leveling requirements of a driveway, this is not a DIY project. You may be able to handle the land clearing and some of the demolition of the old driveway if there is one, but you should leave the actual paving process to licensed professionals.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.