Asphalt Cost Per Square Foot Calculator
Asphalt paving costs about $3–$7 per square foot installed in 2026 — roughly $1,800–$4,200 for a typical 600 sq ft driveway. Enter your dimensions below and this asphalt cost per square foot calculator returns a low-to-high installed estimate for new paving, an overlay, or sealcoating.
Standard residential: 2 in. of compacted hot-mix asphalt over 4–6 in. of crushed-stone base. Heavy-duty or commercial: 3 in. of asphalt.
Estimates only — not contractor quotes. Asphalt prices move with oil prices and vary by region, site prep, and drainage work. Get 2–3 local quotes before committing.
How the asphalt cost per square foot calculator works
Hot-mix asphalt is priced by the square foot installed — that single rate bundles excavation and grading, the crushed-stone base, the asphalt itself, and rolling/compaction. Multiply the paved area by the installed rate and you have the base cost.
Resurfacing (an overlay) skips excavation and base work, which is why it runs $2–$4 per sq ft instead of $3–$7 for new paving. Sealcoating is maintenance, not paving — budget $0.15–$0.30 per sq ft every 2–3 years to roughly double surface life.
What moves the number: pavement thickness (2 in. vs 3 in.), how much site prep and drainage the lot needs, local oil prices (asphalt is petroleum-based), and regional labor rates.
cost = L × W × rate · low = area × lowRate, high = area × highRate
Related tools
Keep exploring: Concrete Driveway Cost Calculator · Gravel Calculator — compare asphalt against concrete for the same driveway, or estimate the stone base underneath it.
Asphalt cost per square foot calculator FAQ
How much does asphalt paving cost per square foot?
About $3–$7 per square foot installed in 2026 for new hot-mix asphalt, covering grading, the stone base, paving, and compaction. A typical 600 sq ft driveway runs roughly $1,800–$4,200.
How much does it cost to asphalt a driveway?
Roughly $1,800–$4,200 for a standard 2-car driveway (about 600 sq ft) with new asphalt. Resurfacing an existing driveway with an overlay costs less — about $2–$4 per sq ft.
How thick should asphalt be for a driveway?
2 inches of compacted hot-mix asphalt over 4–6 inches of crushed-stone base for passenger cars; 3 inches for heavy vehicles or commercial use. Thicker lifts cost more but resist rutting and cracking.
How long does an asphalt driveway last?
15–20 years with sealcoating every 2–3 years and prompt crack repair. Without maintenance, expect 10–12 years before major deterioration sets in.
Is asphalt cheaper than concrete for a driveway?
Yes — asphalt ($3–$7 per sq ft) typically costs 30–50% less installed than concrete ($4–$15 per sq ft). Concrete lasts longer (25–30 years) and needs less maintenance, so lifetime costs end up closer.
What is the difference between resurfacing and repaving?
Resurfacing (an overlay) adds a new 1.5–2 inch layer over sound existing asphalt at $2–$4 per sq ft. Repaving removes the old surface and starts fresh at $3–$7 per sq ft — needed when the base has failed or drainage is wrong.
How often should I sealcoat asphalt?
Every 2–3 years at $0.15–$0.30 per sq ft. Sealcoating blocks UV and water damage and roughly doubles surface life. Wait 6–12 months after new paving before the first coat.