Full cost comparison with 2026 pricing
If you're getting quotes for a new driveway, you've probably noticed that asphalt and concrete are the two most common options. Here's the short answer: asphalt costs $3-7 per square foot and concrete costs $6-12 per square foot. Asphalt is cheaper upfront, but concrete lasts significantly longer. When you compare cost per year, the gap narrows more than most people expect.
This guide breaks down every cost involved -- materials, labor, maintenance, repairs, and replacement -- so you can make the right call for your home and budget.
The biggest difference between asphalt and concrete is what you'll pay on installation day. Asphalt driveways typically come in at about half the cost of concrete, though prices vary by region, site prep requirements, and the contractor you hire.
| Material | $/sq ft Range | 400 sq ft Total | 600 sq ft Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt | $3 - $7 | $1,200 - $2,800 | $1,800 - $4,200 |
| Concrete | $6 - $12 | $2,400 - $4,800 | $3,600 - $7,200 |
A standard two-car driveway runs about 400-600 square feet. At the midpoint prices, you're looking at roughly $2,000 for asphalt vs. $3,600 for concrete on a 400 sq ft driveway.
Both prices above include labor and materials. Here's how the cost typically breaks down:
| Cost Component | Asphalt | Concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | 40 - 50% | 35 - 45% |
| Labor | 35 - 45% | 40 - 50% |
| Site Prep & Grading | 10 - 15% | 10 - 15% |
Concrete requires more labor because it needs forms built, precise pouring, leveling, and finishing. Asphalt is rolled into place with heavy machinery, which is faster but still requires skilled operators. If your site needs significant excavation or grading, that can add $1-3 per square foot to either option.
This is where asphalt's upfront savings start to erode. Asphalt driveways require regular maintenance to reach their full lifespan. Concrete requires less, but neither material is truly maintenance-free.
Sealcoating is the big one. Asphalt driveways should be sealed every 3-5 years to protect against UV damage, water penetration, and oxidation. Without sealcoating, asphalt deteriorates significantly faster.
| Maintenance Item | Frequency | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sealcoating | Every 3-5 years | $0.50 - $1.00/sq ft |
| Crack filling | As needed | $1 - $3 per linear foot |
| Pothole patching | As needed | $50 - $200 per patch |
For a 500 sq ft driveway sealed every 4 years, that's about $250-500 per sealcoat, or roughly $60-125 per year in sealcoating costs alone. Over a 20-year lifespan, expect to spend $1,200-2,500 on maintenance.
Concrete driveways are lower maintenance but not zero maintenance. Sealing is optional but recommended, especially in climates with freeze-thaw cycles.
| Maintenance Item | Frequency | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete sealer | Every 5-7 years (optional) | $0.25 - $0.75/sq ft |
| Crack repair | As needed | $3 - $5 per linear foot |
| Section replacement | Rare | $500 - $1,500 per section |
Concrete crack repair costs more per foot than asphalt, but concrete cracks less frequently when properly installed with control joints. Over a 30-year lifespan, expect to spend $500-1,500 on maintenance -- significantly less than asphalt.
One important note: concrete is harder to patch than asphalt. When a section of concrete fails, you often need to remove and replace the entire slab between control joints. Asphalt patching is simpler and less expensive per repair.
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Use the Free Calculator →This is concrete's strongest advantage. A well-installed concrete driveway will outlast asphalt by a decade or more.
| Factor | Asphalt | Concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Expected lifespan | 15 - 20 years | 25 - 30 years |
| With proper maintenance | 20 - 25 years | 30 - 40 years |
| Weight capacity | Standard vehicles | Heavy vehicles / RVs |
| UV resistance | Poor (needs sealcoat) | Good |
Asphalt in hot climates: Asphalt is a petroleum-based product, and it softens in extreme heat. In the Southeast and Southwest, surface temperatures can reach 150F+ in summer, causing asphalt to become pliable. Heavy vehicles parked in one spot can leave permanent indentations. Sealcoating helps but doesn't fully prevent this.
Concrete in cold climates: Concrete's biggest enemy is the freeze-thaw cycle. Water seeps into tiny pores, freezes, expands, and creates cracks over time. Proper air-entrained concrete mix and regular sealing reduce this significantly, but freeze-thaw damage is still the leading cause of concrete driveway failure in northern states.
Asphalt in cold climates: Asphalt actually performs well in freeze-thaw conditions because it flexes slightly rather than cracking. This is one reason asphalt is the dominant road surface in northern states. However, potholes can form if the base layer wasn't compacted properly.
If you park an RV, boat trailer, or heavy work truck on your driveway, concrete is the better choice. A standard 4-inch concrete slab can handle loads that would deform asphalt, especially in warm weather. Asphalt driveways can handle normal cars and SUVs without issue, but heavy static loads over time will cause problems.
This is the number most homeowners should focus on. When you factor in installation, maintenance, and lifespan, the annual cost of owning each driveway type tells a very different story than the upfront price alone.
Let's run the math for a 500 square foot driveway using midpoint pricing:
| Material | Total Cost (500 sq ft) | Lifespan | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt | $4,300 | 20 years | $215/yr |
| Concrete | $5,400 | 30 years | $180/yr |
On a cost-per-year basis, concrete is actually about 16% cheaper than asphalt. The higher upfront cost is spread over a much longer lifespan, and the lower maintenance costs add up over the decades.
That said, the difference is only about $35 per year. If your budget is tight today and you need a functional driveway now, asphalt's lower upfront cost is a legitimate advantage. You'll pay more over time, but you'll have $2,000 more in your pocket on day one.
Where you live should be a major factor in your decision. Here's how different climates affect each material:
Concrete is the better choice. Asphalt softens in sustained heat, and surface temperatures in states like Arizona, Texas, and Florida regularly push asphalt past its comfort zone. Concrete handles heat well and reflects more sunlight, keeping surface temperatures lower. You'll also avoid the "sticky driveway" problem that asphalt owners in these regions know all too well.
Either material works, but each has trade-offs. Asphalt flexes with freeze-thaw cycles instead of cracking, which is a real advantage. Concrete can crack if not properly air-entrained, but modern concrete mixes designed for cold climates hold up well when installed correctly.
One major consideration: road salt damages concrete. If you or your municipality use salt or chemical de-icers, concrete can spall (the surface flakes off) over time. This is purely cosmetic at first but can become structural. Asphalt is largely unaffected by salt.
Either material is a good choice. Without extreme heat or severe freeze-thaw cycles, both materials will perform close to their maximum lifespan. This is where the decision comes down to budget, aesthetics, and personal preference.
Asphalt actually hides oil stains well because it's already dark. Oil from car leaks blends in and is barely visible. Concrete shows every oil drip, and those stains are difficult to remove completely. If you work on cars in your driveway or have older vehicles that leak, asphalt is more forgiving.
On the flip side, concrete can be power-washed to look nearly new. Asphalt can't be power-washed aggressively without damaging the surface or stripping the sealcoat.
Here's a straightforward decision framework based on the most common homeowner situations:
Choose asphalt if:
Choose concrete if:
Consider both and get quotes if:
Both asphalt and concrete driveways are expected by home buyers. Neither gives a significant resale advantage over the other, as long as the driveway is in good condition. A cracked, neglected concrete driveway is worse for resale than a well-maintained asphalt one, and vice versa. Focus on the material that you'll actually maintain.
Regardless of which material you choose, there are a few ways to keep costs down:
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