About & methodology

Driveway Cost Calculator is a free tool that estimates and compares what a driveway costs in four common materials — and, unusually, what each costs per year over its life. No sign-up; the math runs in your browser.

How it works

• Area = length × width (or enter the square footage).
• Installed cost = area × a per-square-foot range for each material (gravel $1–3, asphalt $3–7, concrete $5–10, pavers $10–25).
• Annual cost of ownership = midpoint cost ÷ typical lifespan (gravel ~10 yr, asphalt ~20, concrete ~30, pavers ~40).

Why the annual cost matters

Pavers cost the most upfront but last the longest and are repairable, so their cost per year can be competitive with cheaper materials that need replacing sooner. Comparing annual cost, not just sticker price, is the honest way to choose.

Important

These are planning estimates. Base preparation, drainage, slope, tear-out of the old driveway, and big regional price swings all move the real number. Get quotes from local contractors.