How Much Does It Cost to Pave a Driveway?
Paving a driveway can dramatically change the look of your home’s entryway and significantly increase its overall curb appeal. Paving your driveway can give your home an ordered and polished look that you just don’t get with a natural path or gravel — no matter how well you maintain these types of rustic spaces. There are many different options to choose from when paving your driveway, including concrete, asphalt, pavers, and much more.
Driveway paving cost is a top concern for many people considering this sort of project. Fortunately, there is great variation in the cost to pave a driveway, depending on the paving options you select. That means that you have more flexibility to find a design that will work for your home and your budget. The driveway experts at Triad Associates can help you design a driveway that will make your home look even more beautiful, while providing the functionality, maintenance, and price point you need.
Cost to Pave a Driveway Per Square Foot
There is great variation in the cost to pave a driveway per square foot, based on a lot of factors, including the materials chosen, the thickness, the shape of the driveway, and more. Generally speaking, the cost to pave a driveway will be between $3 and $15 per square foot. However, some materials can cost as much as $30 per square foot.
The best way to get a concrete idea of cost is to talk with one of the designers at Triad Associates and start exploring your options. If you are starting out with a specific budget in mind, our designers can work with you to determine ways to meet your price point while still achieving a beautiful result.
Driveway Paving Cost by Material
Concrete
Installing a concrete driveway involves a great deal of prep work, such as grading the land and creating forms for the wet concrete. If you want speciality designs or patterns within the concrete, you will want to look into stamped concrete or stained concrete. Therefore, many factors can influence the cost. Overall, the cost of a concrete driveway can be anywhere from $4 to $18 per square foot.
Pavers
Pavers offer many benefits over a poured surface like concrete, including a greater flexibility in available design options. However, pavers are a more expensive option because they require a more intricate installation and the raw materials cost more. Overall, installing a paver driveway will cost between $10 and $30 per square foot, depending on the type chosen and the design.
Permeable Pavers
Permeable pavers allow for more water to pass through the surface, providing better stormwater management to reduce erosion and prevent runoff. Permeable pavers tend to cost less than other pavers, with the driveway paving cost ranging from $4 to $10 per square foot, depending on the exact material and design chosen.
Grass Pavers
Grass pavers allow for grass to grow up between the stone, creating a balance between the hardscaping and the natural elements. Typically, a grass paver driveway will cost between $4 and $10 per square foot.
Heated Driveway
A heated driveway includes a grid inside the concrete or asphalt that heats the surface to keep it free of ice and snow. The cost for installation ranges between $12 and $21 per square foot.
Asphalt
Asphalt is a solid surface option, similar to concrete, but it often costs less for installation because it does not require the same kind of preparation, such as installing forms. Typically, asphalt paving will cost between $7 and $13 per square foot.
Gravel
Gravel is by far the least expensive “paving” option for a driveway. It can cost between $1 and $3 per square foot, depending on the type of gravel chosen. Installing borders for a gravel driveway will help it last longer and maintain a more pleasing design over time.
Exposed Aggregate
After pouring concrete, an exposed aggregate surface is achieved by removing the top layer of the concrete with brushing or water. In some cases, the aggregate can also be applied to the surface. The cost for this type of driveway is $4-$12 per square foot.
Factors in Calculating Your Driveway Paving Cost
Many factors have an impact on the total cost of your driveway project, including:
Square Footage
How big your driveway is will determine how much material you need, as well as how long it will take to install the driveway, and both will impact the final cost. Basic square footage is determined by multiplying the length times the width. However, the calculation can get trickier if you have an irregularly shaped driveway or have extra items, such as a spot to turn around.
Thickness
A thicker driveway may be required for uneven or sloping land. However, the thicker your driveway is, the more materials will be required, and the more expensive the driveway paving cost will be.
Material Type
Certain materials are more expensive than others. Flagstone pavers will cost more than concrete, and concrete will cost more than gravel. Our designers will help you understand what types of materials that would be most suitable for your budget.
Grading and Site Preparation
If your land is on a slope, the area may need to be regraded to prepare for the driveway, and that will impact the cost. Likewise, if any rock needs to be removed, an old driveway needs to be removed, or any other site preparation work needs to be done, the driveway paving cost is likely to increase.
Labor
Some driveway types are more labor-intensive than others, and that will influence paving cost. For example, putting in pavers will require more preparation and take more time than putting in concrete.
Permits
Some driveway work may require a permit, and that will likely come with a fee to your local municipality.
Apron Installation
The driveway apron is the first part of the driveway, which usually connects to the street. It can be made of a different material or have a different design to enhance the look. If you choose to install a driveway apron, this can increase the overall price.
Driveway Installation Cost
Cost estimates for driveways generally include the installation, as well. The above estimates are for both materials and installation. When you receive an estimate from Triad Associates, the cost will include all materials, installation, and any other related costs so that you have a full understanding of the investment and there are no surprises.
What to Consider When Choosing a Driveway Material
Cost
A new driveway is a big investment, and costs can vary widely based on the material you choose. Compare several options to get an idea of how the overall driveway paving cost changes. You can then consider all the factors involved with a specific material to determine if the cost and value make sense for you.
Maintenance
Some materials are easier to maintain than others. Maintaining concrete will be as simple as keeping it clean, while maintaining pavers will require reapplying sand and removing weeds, among other things. Make sure you know the maintenance required when selecting your driveway material.
Aesthetics
Of course, you want your driveway to look good. Aesthetics are purely relative, and what may look beautiful to one person may seem uninspiring to another. Our designers will help you visualize the options for your space with material samples, sketches, and 3D design software.
Weather and Drainage
Your driveway may get a lot of rain, snow, and ice. How well will the materials you choose handle that? Will there be enough driveway drainage? Will ice accumulate? Talk through these issues with your designer to ensure you are choosing the right material.
Usage
Do you have large, heavy work vehicles that will be on your driveway? Or do you expect many vehicles to be on your driveway regularly? You will need a material that can withstand that kind of weight and traffic.
Cost-Saving Tips for Driveway Paving
A new driveway may be a big investment, but it doesn’t have to be cost-prohibitive. There are many ways that you can bring down the driveway paving cost.
Group Paving Projects for Better Deals
You can often save big by recruiting your neighbors to all hire the same contractor for a project at the same time. The same crew will be in the same area with the same equipment, and that can cut down on their costs, which they can pass on to you.
Explore Cost-Effective Materials
You can often get the look you want with a less-expensive material. Concrete can be stamped and stained to look like a variety of more expensive materials, for example. Talk with your designer about how you can get the look you want with a less expensive material.
Maintain Your Driveway
Simply maintaining your driveway can extend its life and help you save thousands of dollars. Talk with your driveway designer about the required maintenance, and stick to the recommended schedule.
Hire Triad Associates’ Driveway Experts Today
Are you ready to get a beautiful new driveway for your home? Call the driveway experts at Triad Associates today to schedule a consultation and start learning about your options. We’re ready to design a gorgeous driveway that will elevate the look of your home. Call us today!
