How much does driveway resurfacing cost?

Driveway resurfacing is not something that we need to do very often. Most asphalt driveways will last us between 15 years to 20 years at least, and concrete ones will last us between 25 and 35 years on average. So while we may not need to bother about driveway maintenance very often, they definitely won’t last forever. Natural causes like weather, freeze-thaw cycles, UV rays, oil and gas leakage as well as repeated use will eventually take a toll on them. So how much does it cost to repave a driveway when the time comes? Let’s take a look at what you could expect to pay.

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To Repave, Patch, or Resurface?

You may not always need to repave your driveway entirely unless there has been extensive damage. You could resurface or patch it.

Patching

If your driveway is showing minor cracks and not much damage otherwise, you could consider patching it up temporarily. This is not difficult, and you could do it yourself. Use an over-the-counter driveway patch to fill in the gaps and tamp it to ensure it is on the same level as the rest of your driveway. Expect to pay between $3 and $5 per square foot to patch up your driveway, and twice that much if you’re going to hire professional help.

Driveway resurfacing

Driveway resurfacing is essentially just repairing damage and adding a new layer of asphalt or concrete over your existing driveway. In some cases, your contractor may even take off the top layer of the existing asphalt before adding the new layer.

This is advisable if your concrete or asphalt driveway has around 25% damage. Resurfacing costs a lot more affordable than repaving. 

Resurfacing will give your driveway an almost new look, and unless you have a weak foundation, will hold for quite a few years as well.

The procedure for driveway resurfacing an asphalt driveway involves filling in cracks, then adding an extra layer of asphalt or cement, and finally using a heavy rolling machine to flatten and even out the new layer.

The average cost of resurfacing a driveway is approximately $2.25 per square foot for a basic job. Expect to pay more based on actual square footage, and if you want specific colors or patterns.

The national average cost for resurfacing a 600-square-foot asphalt driveway is pegged between $1,800 to $4,200.

On the other hand, the cost of driveway resurfacing a concrete driveway is considerably less, with the national average being between $1,200 to $1,800 for a 600-square-foot driveway.

To resurface a concrete driveway, it is first cleaned and washed. All cracks and holes are filled using a patching compound before priming the surface. A new top layer of polymer concrete is sprayed on, and then the surface is troweled to ensure an even finish.

The driveway can then be finished using a protective sealant or decorative colors as needed.

Read more: Asphalt millings driveways

Repaving

Repaving is a much more complex job than driveway resurfacing and requires the services of a professional paving contractor. Repaving is essential when your driveway has seen extensive damage and hasn’t been repaired for more than 20 years. It involves completely ripping open your old driveway and laying a new one. 

Repaving an asphalt driveway begins with digging up all of your existing asphalt. Once the debris is removed, the soil below is then filled, leveled, and graded to form an even base. A layer of gravel is then laid on top of the sail and compacted. A new layer of surface asphalt is then laid on top of the gravel driveway. A sealant can be added to offer extra protection and extend the longevity of your asphalt driveway.

The national average cost of repaving an asphalt driveway is $4,608, with the range extending from $2,800 to $6,500. The average cost per square foot is between $8 to $15 for repaving.

Let’s break these costs down a little bit more.

You would end up paying anywhere between $1 to $5 per square foot of asphalt, and up to a dollar per square foot of gravel. Installation, labor, and grading services could cost anywhere between $5 to $7 per square foot. To buy asphalt enough for a driveway, you’d be buying around 7.5 tons to 15 tons at a cost of approximately $100 to $200 per ton.

Of course, these costs do not include extras such as costs to pave sidewalks or curbs.

Read more: Asphalt patch work

Other Driveway Choices

While we have been discussing asphalt and concrete driveways, mainly because they’re the most popular and durable, there are other materials that parking lots are paved of. Let’s take a quick look at some of these choices, and how much they cost.

1. A 600-square-foot chip seal driveway will cost you between $1,200 to $2,400.
2. Gravel driveways are the most affordable, costing between $1.25 to $1.50 per square foot.
3. Amongst the most expensive driveway paving options are heated driveways, which cost an average of $10,000 to $16,000.
4. Rubber driveways are another expensive driveway option, with an average cost of around $9,000.
5. Pavers and grass driveways aren’t particularly easy on the pockets either, with the national average cost being around the $6,000 mark.

Read more: Crushed asphalt

Why driveway resurfacing is an intelligent choice?

While patching and driveway resurfacing may fix your driveway up for a while, these are not long-lasting solutions. Repaving, done right, will keep your driveway off your renovation list for at least another 15 to 20 years while being safer to use.

A well-paved driveway also adds to a home’s curb appeal, and its market value as well.

You now have an idea of how much repaving concrete and asphalt driveways costs. 

Keep in mind though that these costs may vary greatly from state to state, so always get multiple free estimates before choosing a contractor to work with.

Read more: Financing options for driveway paving

Written by Narayan Shrouthy. July 14, 2020

Narayan is a content writer for Kukun. With experience in both content writing and editing, Narayan mixes his writing and love for reading with his passion for music. As an active musician, He aims to be a key player in Kukun's content experience.