Asphalt Driveway Cost
As you might guess, the cost of installing an asphalt driveway will depend on several factors, including of course the size of the driveway itself. Then too, the shape of the driveway will come into play, because that could add a level of complexity, and it could also increase the driveway’s size. You might need a curved driveway or a circular one rather than the traditional straight driveway, and if this is the case it could be more difficult to lay out and install. In any case, asphalt will be a great choice because it handles the severe weather of the Northeast well, it provides a great color contrast to snow and ice, and it’s considerably less expensive than concrete and easier to maintain than gravel.
Factors impacting cost
You may want some extras added on for the sake of appearance, such as some painted white lines for demarcation, some special needs you may have for access, or some additional prep work which might be needed for drainage. All these can inflate the final cost of installing your new asphalt driveway, either by a little or in come cases by a considerable amount. Of all the factors which come into play however, by far the one which is most important is the size of the driveway.
Because of the size of a driveway you’re having installed, these other factors will also add to the final cost:
- the length and width of the driveway
- the amount of grading which is necessary, which will dictate whether any heavy machinery will be required
- possible excavation, which will definitely call for heavy machinery
- amount of compacting of the stone base which will be necessary
- amount of paving necessary for the asphalt layer.
Even the type of asphalt being used can have a major influence on the final cost of installing your driveway. Asphalt is easily the most heavily recycled substance in this entire country, and if a significant amount of the asphalt used in your driveway has been recycled, it should help to keep costs down. This is something you should definitely inquire about, because you won’t lose anything in quality, but you could pay much less if recycled asphalt is a significant component of the mix used on your driveway.
When recycled material is used in your driveway mix, it will cost somewhere between $1 and $4 per square foot, depending on the percentage of recycled material. You can opt for a more porous type of mix, if you live in an area of high rainfall, and this will allow rain to drain right through the asphalt, rather than pooling on its surface. Expect to pay between $2 and $5 per square foot for this special mix.
Finally, you can also have a special color of asphalt made for your application, even something in a bright red or green. This will probably cost you in the neighborhood of $5 to $7 per square foot, and possibly even somewhat more than that.
Cost for the entire job
Given that there are so many factors which can add to the overall cost of installing an asphalt driveway, it is a bit difficult to predict what the actual cost for any specific job might be. When you want to obtain a somewhat accurate forecast of the final cost for paving your driveway, your best bet would be to contact a local contractor and ask them for a quote.
After surveying your location and discussing your needs with you, the contractor will generally be able to provide you with a fairly accurate quote for the job. For generic purposes though, you can count on a 12’x24′ driveway costing between $3,000 and $3,8000, and if you have a 24’x24′ project in mind, that will likely cost between $4,000 and $5,800.
