Driveway cost calculator

Enter your driveway size and compare gravel, asphalt, concrete, and pavers side by side — upfront cost and cost per year over each material's life. Free, instant, no signup.

Short answer

Installed driveway cost runs about $1–$3/sq ft for gravel, $3–$7 asphalt, $5–$10 concrete, and $10–$25 pavers. A typical 2-car (800 sq ft) driveway is roughly $960–$2,400 in gravel or $4,000–$8,000 in concrete. Pavers cost the most upfront but last 40+ years, so their cost per year can beat cheaper materials.

Gravel

$1–3/sqft

~10 yr life

Asphalt

$3–7/sqft

~20 yr

Concrete

$5–10/sqft

~30 yr

Pavers

$10–25/sqft

~40 yr

Length (ft)Width (ft)

Enter your driveway size to compare gravel, asphalt, concrete, and paver costs.

Driveway cost & lifespan by material (2026)

Material	Cost per sq ft	24×24 two-car (576 sq ft)	Lifespan	Cost per year
Gravel	$1–$3	$576–$1,728	10 yrs	$115/yr
Asphalt	$3–$7	$1,728–$4,032	20 yrs	$144/yr
Concrete	$5–$10	$2,880–$5,760	30 yrs	$144/yr
Pavers / brick	$10–$25	$5,760–$14,400	40 yrs	$252/yr

Installed cost (materials + labor), 2026 national ranges. “Cost per year” is the midpoint cost divided by typical lifespan — the total-cost-of-ownership view most cost guides skip.

Driveway cost by material

Gravel driveway Asphalt driveway Concrete driveway Pavers / brick driveway

Driveway cost by size

1-car (10×20)1-car long (12×24)2-car (20×20)2-car (20×30)2-car long (20×40)2-car wide (24×24)

How we calculate this

Every number on this page comes from the same formulas the calculator runs. The comparison includes lifespan, because the cheapest driveway upfront is rarely the cheapest per year of service:

Area. driveway length × width in feet. A 24×24 two-car driveway is 576 square feet.
Installed cost. area × the material’s installed cost range per square foot (materials + labor).
Cost per year. the midpoint of the installed cost range ÷ the material’s typical lifespan — gravel ~10 years, asphalt ~20, concrete ~30, pavers ~40.

Assumptions

Standard-depth base and surface on stable, graded soil; demolition of an old driveway is extra.
Lifespans assume routine upkeep — regrading gravel, resealing asphalt every few years.
Cost ranges are national mid-range figures — high-cost metros can exceed the top of the range.

Sources

Last reviewed: July 12, 2026

Frequently asked questions

How much does a driveway cost?

Installed driveway cost runs about $1–$3 per square foot for gravel, $3–$7 for asphalt, $5–$10 for concrete, and $10–$25 for pavers. A typical 2-car driveway (800 sq ft) is roughly $960–$2,400 in gravel or $4,000–$8,000 in concrete. Enter your size above to compare all four.

What is the cheapest driveway material?

Gravel is cheapest to install, at about $1–$3 per square foot. But it needs regular regrading and top-ups, so over its ~10-year life its cost per year is closer to the harder surfaces than the sticker price suggests. The calculator shows cost per year, not just upfront cost.

Concrete vs asphalt driveway — which is better?

Asphalt is cheaper upfront ($3–$7/sq ft) and easier to repair but lasts about 20 years and needs resealing. Concrete costs more ($5–$10/sq ft) but lasts ~30 years with less upkeep. On cost per year the two are close; climate and looks often decide it.

Are pavers worth the extra cost?

Pavers cost the most upfront ($10–$25/sq ft) but last 40+ years, are individually repairable, and add curb appeal. Because they last so long, their cost per year can rival cheaper materials — which is exactly what the comparison table shows.