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Driveway Cost Calculator
Estimate the installed cost of a concrete, asphalt, gravel, paver, or stamped-concrete driveway. Includes optional removal of an old driveway, base grading, sealcoat, and a regional cost multiplier.
Driveway project
Estimated total cost
$3,600.00 to $6,480.00
Midpoint $5,040.00 for 480 sq ft of concrete.
$10.50 per sq ft installed (midpoint).
Material + labor (low)
$2,880.00
Material + labor (high)
$5,760.00
Base grading + prep
$720.00
Expected lifespan
30+ years
Maintenance
Reseal every 3 to 5 years and patch any hairline cracks early to prevent freeze-thaw damage.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Driveway Cost Calculator
How much does a new driveway cost per square foot?
Installed prices in the US in 2026 run about $6 to $12 per sq ft for plain concrete, $5 to $9 for asphalt, $1.50 to $3 for gravel, $12 to $20 for stamped concrete, and $15 to $30 for interlocking pavers. A typical 40 x 12 ft (480 sq ft) two-car concrete driveway lands around $2,880 to $5,760 in materials and labor before any add-ons. Asphalt costs less up front, gravel is the cheapest of all, and pavers cost the most because each unit is set by hand.
How long does each material last?
Properly installed concrete lasts 30+ years and stamped concrete about 25. Asphalt lasts 15 to 20 years with regular sealcoating, often longer in mild climates. Interlocking pavers run 25 to 50 years and can be repaired one unit at a time. Gravel never really wears out, but it needs a 1 to 2 in top-up of fresh stone every year or two and a grading pass after heavy rains. Climate matters: hard freeze-thaw cycles shorten concrete and asphalt life by 5 years or more if cracks are not sealed early.
Why do pavers cost 2 to 3 times more than concrete?
The pavers themselves are not the main expense, the labor is. Each unit gets hand-set on a compacted gravel base, leveled to a screeded sand bed, and locked together with polymeric joint sand. A 480 sq ft paver driveway can take a crew of three a full week, versus a single afternoon to pour the same area in concrete. You are paying for that hand labor and the deeper, more careful base prep, which is also why pavers outlast concrete in shifting soils.
When should I sealcoat an asphalt driveway?
Sealcoat new asphalt 6 to 12 months after installation, once the binder has fully cured, then re-seal every 3 to 5 years. Sealcoating costs about $0.15 to $0.25 per sq ft and pushes asphalt to the upper end of its 20 year lifespan by protecting the binder from UV, water, and de-icing salt. Skip it and asphalt cracks within 10 to 12 years instead. Concrete and stamped concrete also benefit from re-sealing, on a 2 to 5 year cycle depending on traffic and climate.
Why are driveways more expensive in the Northeast and on the West Coast?
Northeast metros (Boston, NYC, DC corridor) and West Coast cities (San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Los Angeles) typically run 25% or more above the US national average for driveway work. Labor wages, permit fees, dump fees for removed material, and disposal regulations all push prices up. Hawaii and Alaska sit even higher because most materials ship in. The Midwest and parts of the South run about 15% below the national average. The calculator's regional setting (low-cost, average, high-cost) applies a 0.85x, 1.0x, or 1.25x multiplier to the entire estimate.