asphalt

Asphalt vs Concrete Driveway Cost in 2026 (Full Comparison)

Asphalt vs Concrete Driveway: Cost, Lifespan & Value Compared (2026) Asphalt driveways cost $5-$12 per square foot installed in 2026, while concrete runs $6-$15 per square foot -- making asphalt the cheaper option upfront by 20-40%. For a standard 600 sq ft two-car driveway, that translates to $3,000-$7,200 for asphalt versus $4,800-$10,800 for concrete. But concrete lasts 30-40+ years with almost no maintenance, while asphalt needs sealing every 2-5 years and typically tops out at 15-30 years. Over a 30-year window, concrete's total cost of ownership is lower in most scenarios despite the higher day-one price. I have poured and paved driveways across the Northeast and Midwest for the better part of two decades, and the asphalt-vs-concrete question is the single most common conversation I have with homeowners. Last fall I quoted a 640 sq ft driveway in central Pennsylvania -- $4,500 for asphalt, $7,800 for concrete. The homeowner went...