How much does asphalt cost per square foot?

Installed asphalt typically costs $3–$5 per square foot for a standard residential driveway, including base preparation, materials, and labor. Material cost alone (asphalt only) runs $1.50–$3 per square foot depending on depth and local pricing. A 1,000 sq ft driveway costs approximately $3,000–$5,000 fully installed.

How much does asphalt cost per ton in 2026?

Hot mix asphalt costs approximately $80–$200 per ton for materials in 2026, depending on region, oil prices, and mix type. Budget/low-cost markets run $80–$100/ton. Mid-range markets average $120–$150/ton. Premium or remote markets can reach $180–$200/ton. Always get a local supplier quote as prices fluctuate with oil markets.

How much does a new asphalt driveway cost?

A new asphalt driveway typically costs $3,000–$7,000 for a standard single-car driveway (400–500 sq ft) and $5,000–$12,000 for a two-car driveway (800–1,000 sq ft). These installed prices include grading, base preparation, asphalt materials, and labor. Removing existing concrete or asphalt adds $1–$3 per square foot.

Does this calculator include labor?

The material cost section is materials only. The installed cost range shown in results is an estimate based on typical contractor rates ($3–$5 per sq ft installed) and is intended for budgeting only. Get contractor quotes for accurate installed pricing in your area.

What depth of asphalt do I need?

Residential driveways with passenger vehicles: 2–3 inches of compacted asphalt over a 4–6 inch compacted aggregate base. For heavier vehicles or commercial use: 4–6 inches. Resurfacing/overlay over existing pavement: 1.5–2 inches. Always use the total new asphalt thickness, not including the base layer, when calculating.

Asphalt Cost Calculator – Price Per Ton, Square Foot & Project Total

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Depth (in)

Driveway: 2–3 in. Commercial: 4–6 in.

Asphalt price per ton ($)

Material only. Get a local supplier quote for accuracy.

Custom price per ton ($)

Optional, overrides dropdown if filled.

Waste allowance (%)

Asphalt Cost Guide: Per Ton, Per Square Foot & By Project Size

Asphalt pricing varies more than most materials because it's tied directly to oil prices, which shift regularly. The figures below reflect typical 2026 US market conditions, so use them as a planning baseline and get local supplier quotes before committing to a budget.

Asphalt cost per ton: 2026 reference

Market type	Price per ton (materials)	Notes
Budget / rural	$80–$100/ton	Lower-cost regions, local suppliers
Mid-range (most common)	$110–$150/ton	Typical US suburban market
Higher cost	$150–$180/ton	Northeast, West Coast, high-demand periods
Premium / remote	$180–$220/ton	Remote delivery, specialty mixes

Materials only. Does not include base preparation, labor, or equipment. Prices fluctuate with oil markets.

Installed asphalt cost per square foot

Project type	Installed cost per sq ft	Includes
Residential driveway (new)	$3–$5/sq ft	Base prep, materials, labor
Overlay / resurfacing	$1.50–$3/sq ft	Materials + labor, no excavation
Parking lot (light commercial)	$3–$6/sq ft	Base, materials, striping
Heavy commercial	$5–$10/sq ft	Thicker base, heavier mix
Remove & replace	$4–$8/sq ft	Demolition + new installation

Asphalt driveway cost by project size

Driveway size	Area	Installed cost range	Notes
Single car (short)	~300 sq ft	$900–$1,500	Simple, straight
Single car (standard)	~400–500 sq ft	$1,200–$2,500	10×40 to 10×50 ft
Two car (standard)	~600–800 sq ft	$1,800–$4,000	Most common residential
Two car (long)	~1,000 sq ft	$3,000–$5,000	20×50 ft
Large / curved	1,500+ sq ft	$4,500–$8,000+	Complex layout, extra waste

Installed prices include base preparation, materials, and labor. Remove-and-replace adds $1–$3/sq ft. Two-car standard highlighted as most searched.

What drives asphalt cost up or down

The biggest variable is oil price. Asphalt is a petroleum product, so when crude prices spike, asphalt follows within weeks. Beyond that, the factors that consistently affect your quote are depth (more asphalt = more cost, obviously), base condition (poor base requires more excavation and aggregate), access (narrow driveways or tight sites cost more in labor), and timing (spring and summer are peak season; fall work is often cheaper).

Removal of existing concrete or asphalt is a separate cost, typically $1–$3 per square foot, and is one of the most common items that blows out a budget when not accounted for upfront. If your driveway currently has concrete, factor that in before comparing quotes.

Asphalt Paving Costs by Region: 2026 US Averages

Asphalt costs vary more by region than most materials because the price chain runs from oil refinery to asphalt plant to contractor, and each link in that chain is local. Texas and the Southeast benefit from proximity to Gulf Coast refineries, the largest concentration of asphalt production in the US, which keeps material costs lower than anywhere else in the country. Layer in large contractor pools with strong competition and you get the most affordable paving market nationally. The Northeast and West Coast face the opposite conditions: higher labour costs, longer supply chains, and in some states, stricter environmental compliance requirements on asphalt plants that add to operating costs.

Asphalt paving cost by region (installed, per sq ft)

Region	States	Installed (per sq ft)	Material (per ton)	Notes
Southeast	FL, GA, NC, SC, TN	$3–$5	$80–$110	Competitive market, Gulf Coast supply
South Central	TX, OK, AR, LA	$3–$5	$80–$110	Largest contractor pool, lowest costs nationally
Midwest	OH, MI, IL, IN, WI	$4–$6	$100–$140	Seasonal demand peaks in spring and summer
Mid-Atlantic	PA, VA, MD, NJ	$4.50–$7	$110–$150	Higher labour, older infrastructure
Mountain West	CO, AZ, NV, UT	$4–$6.50	$100–$145	Variable by proximity to suppliers
Northeast	NY, MA, CT, RI	$5–$8	$130–$180	Highest labour costs nationally
West Coast	CA, WA, OR	$5.50–$9	$140–$200	Highest overall, regulatory overhead

Installed prices include base prep, materials, and labor. South Central highlighted as the lowest-cost region nationally. Prices fluctuate with oil markets.

Texas deserves specific mention because it consistently comes in at the low end of national asphalt pricing. The state has a long paving season with mild winters, meaning contractors can work most of the year without the seasonal demand compression that pushes prices up in northern states. Combined with Gulf Coast material supply and a large, competitive contractor market, asphalt paving in Houston or Dallas typically runs 30-40% below what you would pay in New York or Los Angeles for the same job.

In the Northeast, shorter paving seasons concentrate demand into spring and summer, which reduces contractor availability and drives up quotes during peak periods. Some states also have union labour requirements that add to installation costs. If you are in a high-cost market and your project can wait until late September or October, fall is typically the best time to get competitive quotes, as contractors are wrapping up their season and more willing to negotiate.

Asphalt driveway cost by city (800 sq ft, two-car driveway)

City	Installed cost range	Material cost (approx)
Houston, TX	$2,400–$4,000	$800–$1,200
Dallas, TX	$2,400–$4,200	$800–$1,200
Atlanta, GA	$2,800–$4,800	$900–$1,300
Charlotte, NC	$2,800–$4,400	$900–$1,300
Columbus, OH	$3,200–$5,200	$1,000–$1,500
Phoenix, AZ	$3,200–$5,600	$1,000–$1,500
Chicago, IL	$3,600–$6,000	$1,100–$1,600
Philadelphia, PA	$3,600–$6,400	$1,100–$1,600
New York, NY	$4,000–$7,200	$1,200–$1,800
Los Angeles, CA	$4,400–$8,000	$1,300–$2,000

Based on a standard 20x40 ft (800 sq ft) two-car driveway at typical regional contractor rates. Columbus, OH shown as the national mid-market reference. Asphalt prices fluctuate with oil markets, so get local quotes to confirm current pricing in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Installed asphalt runs $3–$5 per square foot for a standard residential driveway, including base preparation, materials, and labor. Material cost alone is roughly $1.50–$3/sq ft. A 1,000 sq ft driveway costs approximately $3,000–$5,000 fully installed. See the cost-per-square-foot table above for other project types.

Hot mix asphalt runs approximately $80–$200 per ton for materials depending on region and oil prices. Most US suburban markets fall in the $110–$150/ton range. Northeast and West Coast markets tend to run higher. Always get a local supplier quote, as asphalt prices are oil-linked and change regularly.

A standard two-car driveway (600–800 sq ft) costs $1,800–$4,000 installed. A single-car driveway (400–500 sq ft) runs $1,200–$2,500. Large or curved driveways over 1,000 sq ft typically run $3,000–$8,000+. These figures assume a new installation on a prepared base. Remove-and-replace costs more due to demolition.

The material cost in the calculator is materials only. Asphalt tonnage × price per ton. The installed cost range shown in the results applies typical contractor rates ($3–$5/sq ft) to give you a full-project budget estimate. For accurate installed pricing in your area, use the contractor quote form above.

Residential driveways with passenger vehicles: 2–3 inches of compacted asphalt over a 4–6 inch compacted aggregate base. For trucks or commercial use: 4–6 inches. Overlay/resurfacing over existing pavement: 1.5–2 inches. Enter only the new asphalt thickness in the calculator, not the base layer depth.

Asphalt removal typically costs $1–$3 per square foot including breaking, hauling, and disposal. A 500 sq ft driveway removal runs $500–$1,500. Concrete removal costs more, typically $2–$6/sq ft. This cost is separate from the new installation and should be added to your total project budget.

Asphalt Project Planning Checklist

Covers base preparation, compaction, depth verification, drainage slope, cure time, and what to confirm with your contractor before work starts.

Download Checklist (PDF)

Planning use only. See Methodology and Data Sources. View all project checklists →

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Accuracy & Review

Reviewed by: Dave Whitaker

Dave is a second-generation paving contractor who reviewed the tonnage assumptions, waste logic, installed cost ranges, and practical estimating guidance used in this calculator.

Last updated: Apr 19, 2026

See: Methodology · Data Sources · Review Board

Disclaimer: Material cost estimates are for general planning only. Installed cost ranges are indicative only and based on typical contractor rates. Actual quotes will vary by region, site conditions, base requirements, and current material pricing. Always confirm quantities and pricing with your supplier and contractor before ordering.

See Methodology and Data Sources for details.