Driveway replacement ranks as one of the highest-spend exterior projects. 2026 installed pricing: crushed stone/gravel $3-$8 per sq ft, asphalt $7-$15 per sq ft, concrete $8-$18 per sq ft, stamped/colored concrete $14-$25 per sq ft, clay brick pavers $15-$35 per sq ft, concrete pavers $13-$28 per sq ft. A typical 600 sq ft driveway (20x30) runs $5,500-$11,000 for asphalt, $6,500-$12,000 for concrete, and $10,000-$22,000 for pavers.
Picking material by climate and use
Freeze-thaw climates (north of Mason-Dixon): asphalt is more forgiving than concrete because it flexes with ground movement; concrete cracks at expansion joints. Hot/dry climates: concrete outperforms asphalt because UV breaks down asphalt binder. Heavy vehicle traffic (RVs, trucks): concrete with #4 rebar at 18 inches on center. Decorative priority: concrete pavers or brick for curb appeal. Budget priority: gravel with proper base installs quickly and compacts over time into a stable surface.
Base prep — what's underneath matters more than the top
The difference between a 10-year and 30-year driveway is base preparation. Proper base: excavate to 12 inches below finish grade (more in freeze-thaw areas), 8 inches of compacted 3/4-inch minus crushed stone compacted in 3-inch lifts, 2 inches of compacted sand for pavers or 4 inches of compacted base for concrete/asphalt. Contractors who skip base prep deliver driveways that crack and settle in 3-5 years.
Sealing schedules and maintenance
Asphalt: seal 12-18 months after install, then every 3-5 years. Gravel: redress every 2-4 years with fresh aggregate. Concrete: seal every 4-6 years with penetrating silane/siloxane sealer ($0.25-$0.50 per sq ft). Pavers: re-sand joints every 3-5 years with polymeric sand ($0.50-$1.00 per sq ft). Skipping maintenance shortens driveway lifespan by 40-60%.