Is an asphalt driveway cheaper than concrete?

Installed cost per square foot, by source

We pulled prices from four price datasets. HomeAdvisor and Angi share one dataset, so we count them as one source. HomeGuide, Fixr and Today's Homeowner are separate. Each uses its own scope, so compare ranges, not single numbers.

Source (date)	Asphalt, per sq ft	Concrete, per sq ft
HomeGuide (May and Jun 2025)	$5 to $12+[1]	$6 to $15[2]
HomeAdvisor (Jun 2026)	$7 to $13 new, $7 to $15 for standard hot mix[4]	$8 to $18[5]
Fixr (2022 and Jan 2025)	$7 to $15 new, about $10 typical on a good base[7]	$6 to $20, most plain to broom finish $6 to $12[6]
Today's Homeowner (Sep 2025)	$3 to $15, most pay $6 to $9[9]	not compared

Every source puts plain asphalt a little below plain concrete. The ranges overlap a lot, so a specific quote can land either way.

What a typical driveway costs

Size	Asphalt (HomeGuide)	Concrete (HomeGuide)
200 sq ft (1 car)	$1,000 to $2,400[1]	$1,200 to $3,000[2]
400 sq ft (20 x 20 ft)	$2,000 to $4,800[1]	$2,400 to $6,000[2]
576 sq ft (24 x 24 ft)	not listed	$3,500 to $8,600[2]
900 sq ft	$4,500 to $10,800[1]	$5,400 to $13,500[2]

HomeAdvisor's 2026 data puts the national average asphalt driveway at $5,348, with most homeowners paying $3,150 to $7,548^[4]. Fixr's typical concrete job, a 24 by 24 foot broom finish driveway 5 inches thick, averages $5,184^[6].

What moves the price

• Removal of the old driveway. HomeAdvisor lists $1 to $2 per square foot to demolish and haul an old driveway^[4]. Replacing an existing asphalt driveway costs $8 to $15 per square foot in its data, versus $7 to $13 for a new one^[4].
• Site prep and base. Excavation and grading run $5 to $10 per square foot when needed, per HomeAdvisor^[4]. HomeGuide notes clay soils often need extra excavation and base under asphalt^[1].
• Thickness. HomeGuide prices a standard 4 inch concrete driveway at $6 to $15 per square foot and a 6 inch one at $8 to $20^[2]. Most residential asphalt driveways get 2 to 3 inches of asphalt^[1].
• Labor share. Labor is about half of an asphalt job, $5 to $7 per square foot, per HomeAdvisor^[4]. HomeGuide puts concrete labor at $3 to $7 per square foot^[2].
• Minimum charges. Some asphalt contractors charge $2,000 or more for any job^[1].
• Permits. Most residential driveway permits cost $50 to $200, per HomeGuide^[2].
• Decorative finishes. Stamped concrete driveways run $12 to $18 per square foot, and colored asphalt $5 to $15, per HomeGuide^[3].

Upkeep costs after the install

Upkeep item	Asphalt	Concrete
Sealing, 1 to 2 car driveway (HomeGuide)	$290 to $800[3]	$290 to $1,700[3]
How often to seal	Every 2 to 5 years[10]; Fixr says 5 to 10[8]	Optional[3]; a penetrating sealer lasts about 3 to 5 years[11]
Repair (HomeGuide)	$250 to $800[3]	$300 to $3,000[3]
Resurfacing, 1 to 2 car (HomeGuide)	$200 to $2,200[3]	$850 to $2,900[3]
Typical lifespan	15 to 30 years[3]	30 to 40 years[3]

Sealing is the routine cost that defines asphalt. Fixr puts sealcoating a 20 by 20 foot asphalt driveway at $355 to $600, with $468 the average^[8]. Concrete repairs are less frequent but cost more when they happen^[3].

A 30-year example for a 400 sq ft driveway

This is our arithmetic from the sources above, not a quote. It assumes a 20 by 20 foot driveway, asphalt sealed every 3 years after the first, and concrete either left unsealed or sealed every 5 years.

Cost over 30 years	Asphalt	Concrete, unsealed	Concrete, sealed every 5 years
Install	$2,000 to $4,800[1]	$2,400 to $6,000[2]	$2,400 to $6,000[2]
Sealing	9 times at $355 to $600[8] = $3,195 to $5,400	$0	6 times at $1 to $3 per sq ft[2] = $2,400 to $7,200
Total before repairs	$5,195 to $10,200	$2,400 to $6,000	$4,800 to $13,200

What the example shows:

• Once sealing is counted, asphalt is no longer clearly cheaper than concrete over 30 years.
• Sealing concrete on a strict schedule can cost as much as sealing asphalt. In mild climates without deicing salt, many owners skip it.
• The bigger swing is replacement. Asphalt's 15 to 30 year life^[3] means a 30-year horizon may include one resurfacing or replacement. Concrete's 30 to 40 years^[3] usually does not.

Regional spread

National averages hide local swings. HomeGuide notes that special asphalt mixes for extreme weather can add 10% to 20%, and that winter installs may cost 10% to 15% less where weather allows^[1]. HomeAdvisor says labor rates run higher in urban areas and high cost-of-living regions^[4]. Asphalt sells by the ton, at $100 to $200 per ton in HomeAdvisor's data^[4], while ready-mix concrete runs $125 to $150 per cubic yard in Fixr's^[6]. Get local bids before deciding on price alone.

For the non-price trade-offs, including freeze-thaw and Texas clay, see concrete vs asphalt vs pavers.

When to call a pro

• Get at least two bids for each material that list base depth, surface thickness, removal and permit costs as separate lines.
• Ask asphalt bidders when the first sealcoat is due and what it will cost, and ask concrete bidders whether they recommend sealing in your climate.
• If your current driveway has sunk or cracked across many panels, ask a contractor in your area to check the base before you price a new surface.