How Much Does a Blacktop Driveway Cost to Install?
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A blacktop driveway offers multiple benefits, making it a popular parking surface choice for homeowners. The national average blacktop driveway cost is $4,854, which falls within a range of $3,109 to $7,082.
- Typical Range: $3,109 to $7,082
- National Average: $4,854
Homeowners have several options when it comes to driveway materials. However, blacktop is an ideal surface material for less trafficked areas, like driveways and parking lots. A type of asphalt, blacktop can be installed over compacted soil, aggregate bases, concrete, or stone.
A blacktop driveway offers many benefits over other types of driveways, including those made of gravel and concrete parking slabs. Blacktop is easy to maintain, affordable, and offers a timeless look to all types of home styles, making it a popular choice for homeowners.
But how much does it cost to install a blacktop driveway? According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, the national average is $4,854, but multiple factors give this home improvement job a cost range between $3,109 and $7,082.
When it comes to determining the total blacktop driveway cost, homeowners need to consider driveway size, its gradient, and whether there are customizations to add to the project. This guide offers homeowners information on how to estimate the total cost of a blacktop driveway installation using just a few measurements and a calculator while also offering helpful maintenance and money-saving tips.
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Factors in Calculating Blacktop Driveway Cost
A new blacktop driveway can transform a dusty, uneven surface into a smooth, polished finish in as little as 1 day. This simple change can boost a home’s curb appeal, increase the home’s overall value, and make it easier to keep the driveway area free of debris, including leaves, snow, and ice. But how much does it cost to pave a driveway using blacktop? Trying to estimate a blacktop driveway installation cost will depend on several factors, including the following.
Driveway Size
For homeowners who are using an asphalt driveway cost calculator to come up with an initial estimate, square footage is typically the main determining factor. As may be expected, a larger driveway will cost more to pave than a smaller space. On average, blacktop driveway installation costs between $7 and $13 per square foot for both materials and installation. A typical driveway measures approximately 600 square feet. Paving a space this size will likely fall within a range of $4,200 and $7,800.
If a driveway is being replaced, it’s simple to estimate the cost to pave a driveway based on square footage. Those wondering how much it costs to pave a driveway for the first time will find it helpful to understand how to estimate the size of driveway needed based on family size and vehicle needs.
For example, a single-car driveway measures between 9 and 12 feet wide. A driveway that can accommodate two cars side by side needs to measure at least 16 feet wide but can also be as wide as 24 feet.
In addition, the current layout of the home should be considered. Does the driveway need to go from the street to the garage, or does it need to wind to the side of the house? A driveway that needs to expand either in width or length is sure to increase in cost as well.
Driveway Gradient
The driveway gradient refers to the slope of the driveway. Generally speaking, driveways with steep gradients will cost more to pave than flat driveways.
This is because the entire process becomes a bit more difficult when gravity is fighting back. Whether it calls for different machinery or additional crew members, a driveway with a steep gradient will require more work and effort to ensure the job is done correctly and safely.
Homeowners should keep in mind that a driveway grade should never be greater than 20 percent. Ideally, driveways should have less than a 15 percent grade, which means it doesn’t rise more than 15 feet over a span of 100 feet.
Driveway Accessibility
A typical driveway sitting in front of a suburban home in a neighborhood with wide streets doesn’t often equate to a difficult installation. It’s easy for a contractor to transport materials and crew to an accessible jobsite.
However, when a driveway is being installed in a location that’s difficult to reach by vehicle, either during new construction or when a home is nearly off-grid, a contractor may need to charge more for a driveway installation. Fuel costs can be an issue if the jobsite is farther away from suburbia, while some homes, like those deep in the woods or built in the foothills of a steep mountain, can make delivery of materials a more complicated process.
When a driveway isn’t a straightforward job and a contractor needs to get a bit more creative about either reaching the site, delivering materials to it, or making sure their crew is safe during the installation process, costs will almost certainly go up.
Blacktop Depth
The final cost of a blacktop driveway is heavily influenced by the depth of the top layer. In general, the thicker the top layer of blacktop, the stronger the driveway will be. This additional durability comes at a price, though.
The good news is that most homes can get away with a thin asphalt layer; a 2-inch depth is usually enough for most home driveways. For home driveways that need to accommodate multiple vehicles or support heavy items like boats or campers, a thicker depth of 4 inches is often recommended.
A driveway measuring 640 square feet with an asphalt depth of 2 inches typically costs between $740 and $1,200, while a driveway of the same size with an asphalt depth of 4 inches costs between $1,480 and $2,400.
Blacktop Type and Grade
There are multiple different types of blacktop to choose from when it comes to driveway materials. As one may imagine, they all impact the final cost of asphalt driveway installation.
Hot mix is a popular material choice and costs between $100 and $200 per ton. The average driveway needs between 7.5 and 15 tons of blacktop to get the job done. Recycled blacktop is much more affordable, coming in at $10 to $20 per ton.
Porous asphalt is another option, costing between $8 and $15 per square foot. Finally, stamped or colored asphalt runs between $12 and $17 per square foot.
Blacktop driveways come in various grades designed for a base level or a top level. Grades offer different compositions that create a unique combination of features that make them ideal for either residential or commercial surfaces. Pricing varies for each grade, making this another important factor when estimating total driveway installation costs.
Base I-2 is a rough asphalt ideal for the bottom coat of a blacktop driveway. This grade costs between $1 and $2 per square foot. Top I-5 grade asphalt contains more sand, and it provides a smoother and more attractive appearance. It’s used as a top coat and costs between $1 and $4 per square foot.
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Finish Type
Most blacktop driveways take about 6 months to cure completely. After this initial time frame, it’s recommended that a driveway be sealed to prevent cracking or shifting. When determining an asphalt driveway cost for sealing, homeowners should know that the average finishing price is about $1.44 per square foot. Sealing should be done every 2 to 5 years, depending on the local climate and how much use the driveway sees.
Homeowners who are using a “cost to pave driveway” calculator will need to be aware that this isn’t an initial cost to plug in. But when planning a driveway, it’s important to keep in mind that maintenance fees can add up over the years; this can prevent surprise budget busters down the line.
Labor
It can be difficult to estimate labor costs when it comes to blacktop driveway installation since they can vary greatly by geographic location, company, and even job. Labor costs tend to be higher for difficult-to-reach locations or driveways with curves or slopes. They may be lower for more straightforward installations or replacements.
Some estimates put labor between $5 and $7 per square foot on average. Other estimates put labor costs between $40 and $55 an hour. Generally, contractors will include the price of labor in the total blacktop driveway cost estimate.
Geographic Location
The geographic location of a driveway installation can affect the total cost in a couple of ways. First, local cost of living and fuel costs directly influence the amount a contractor will charge for their services. This varies greatly throughout different parts of the country.
For example, the average price range for a blacktop driveway installation in California is between $5,050 and $13,500. In Florida, the price range is more affordable, with the cost coming in at $2,050 to $5,400. New Jersey homeowners can expect to pay between $2,900 and $6,550, while those in Texas are typically looking at an installation cost between $4,200 and $10,250.
Homeowners will also want to note whether a blacktop driveway is recommended in their area. Asphalt holds up better than concrete in geographic locations that often reach freezing temperatures during the colder months. But in areas of the country where heat waves are common, blacktop may not be the best driveway choice as excessive heat can warp the surface. This may not affect the installation cost, but a driveway installed in a hotter climate may need to be repaired more often or replaced sooner, adding to maintenance costs and potentially lowering the value of the investment.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Besides square footage, labor, and other common cost factors, there are a few other potential costs homeowners should consider when estimating driveway installation cost. Not all of the following factors may apply, but the costs for those that do should be explored before a project begins to make sure it stays on budget.
Existing Driveway Removal
While cracks and potholes can sometimes be repaired in an existing driveway, a replacement is sometimes necessary. In other scenarios, a homeowner may want to upgrade an existing driveway to blacktop. In either situation, the existing driveway will need to be removed.
Removing an existing average-size concrete or asphalt driveway costs around $825. When trying to estimate a removal cost, homeowners can calculate their costs for both the removal and replacement based on square footage. A full removal and installation costs between $8 and $15 per square foot.
Excavating and Grading
If a driveway is being placed for the first time, there are several variables that will almost certainly tack additional costs onto the overall installation estimate.
First, if the desired area has any sort of vegetation or trees, they will need to be removed. The cost to remove both a tree and its stump is around $650. If there’s more than one tree or a small forest of bushes, a homeowner can expect to pay between $1,500 and $5,600 for a complete excavation.
After excavation, grading and leveling can raise the final price tag a bit more. But this is a step that can’t be skipped. Properly leveling an area for a blacktop driveway costs between $5 and $10 per square foot.
If the proposed driveway area is steep or difficult to reach, it’s likely that a quote will fall on the higher end for excavating and grading.
Driveway Sealing
Installing a driveway can be a costly home improvement endeavor. That’s why it only makes sense that a homeowner should do everything in their power to protect their investment.
Applying sealant to a blacktop driveway on a regular basis can protect it from water and sunlight, and it can even prevent air from permeating the asphalt. Sealing a driveway also helps to repel oil leaks and spills, making it easier to prevent stains and structural damage.
Sealing should be completed about 6 months after the initial installation. Driveway sealing costs between $3 and $7 per square foot and needs to be completed every 2 to 5 years.
Customization
Laying a driveway may seem like a straightforward process, but homeowners can actually add several customizations to their project. Of course, any additional features can increase the overall cost of a blacktop driveway install.
For example, homeowners who want to eliminate winter shoveling from their to-do list can opt for a heated driveway. This involves adding a heating system beneath the blacktop surface that can melt thin layers of snow and ice. But this luxury comes at a price. When it comes to heated driveway cost, homeowners can expect to pay between $12 and $25 per square foot.
Another popular customization option homeowners often consider is stamped asphalt. Stamping can take a traditional asphalt surface and give it the look and texture of brick, stone, or slate. While it’s less expensive than traditional bricks or stone pavers, it does increase the cost of asphalt driveway installation. Homeowners can expect to pay between $10 and $17 per square foot of stamped asphalt.
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Permits
Some municipalities may require the purchase and display of a permit before a driveway installation can start. Homeowners can contact their county, city, or township government to see what the requirements are. It also helps to work with a contractor who not only understands the local requirements but also handles permit requirements on their own. Either way, a permit can add on $50 to $200 to the total cost of a driveway installation.
Types of Blacktop Driveways
There are different types of blacktop driveways, each with its own unique advantages. When it comes to choosing between the different material types, homeowners should make sure they understand the composition of each type, the benefits each type offers when it comes to maintenance and longevity, and how the overall budget is affected by different materials.
Hot Mix
Hot-mix asphalt is a combination of sand, gravel, and stone. These materials are held together by asphalt cement and mixed at a high temperature. After it’s laid and compacted, the surface quickly cools and hardens to a smooth finish.
This type of asphalt is the most durable grade of paving asphalt. This is why it’s often used for high-traffic roads and highways. It also cools fast enough that traffic can start utilizing the newly paved space only a few hours after it was poured. But it’s also a popular and affordable option for homeowners looking to pave their driveway with a durable material.
Hot-mix blacktop driveways have an average cost between $100 and $200 per ton. A ton of hot mix can cover between 40 and 80 square feet of driveway, depending on blacktop depth, and the average driveway will require between 7½ and 15 tons in total.
Recycled
Recycled asphalt is a reprocessed driveway material that contains asphalt and aggregates. When blacktop surfaces are removed during reconstruction or resurfacing, they can be broken down and reused in future paving projects. The recycled material is layered over the surface, hand tamped, and then steam-rolled to further compress and heat the material, letting it melt together and set.
Recycled blacktop needs to cure for at least 24 hours; once dry, however, it is essentially as strong and durable as a new blacktop installation. Homeowners often consider a recycled blacktop install because of the benefits it offers, including financial savings, improved environmental impact, and natural resource conservation.
A recycled asphalt driveway costs between $10 and $20 per ton, which makes it an affordable choice when compared to hot-mix asphalt. Homeowners may be able to save between $675 and $2,700 on materials by going with recycled asphalt instead of new asphalt.