Picture two quotes for the same 20-by-20-foot driveway in Los Angeles. The first is to resurface it, which HomeGuide prices at $400 to $1,500 for a two-car driveway that size. The second is to tear it out and repave, where Angi's LA paving figures put a 400-square-foot driveway at about $3,960 before removal. Both quotes can be right. Or the cheap one can be money wasted, because in our experience a new top layer on a failed base cracks again.
That is the part most cost guides skip. The price you pay depends on which job you need, resurface, replace or rebuild the base, and that is decided by what is under the asphalt. This guide covers LA costs by size, what each job costs and when it works, what goes into a bid, the LA permits that apply, and how to spot a bid that cuts the corner that matters most.
Quick answers
- Average paving cost in Los Angeles: Angi puts it at $7,170, with a range of $3,993 to $10,559.
- Asphalt in LA per square foot: $3.50 to $5.40 for the asphalt, per Angi's LA page, versus $12.40 to $15.90 for concrete.
- National average for an asphalt driveway: $5,348, or $7 to $15 per square foot including labor.
- Resurfacing: $1 to $3 per square foot, per HomeGuide.
- Sealcoating in LA: $1,922 on average.
What an asphalt driveway costs in Los Angeles
Angi's Los Angeles page puts the average driveway paving job at $7,170, and lists asphalt at $3.50 to $5.40 per square foot against $12.40 to $15.90 per square foot for concrete. Its LA examples by size use an overall rate of $9.40 to $10.40 per square foot: If you are pricing concrete instead, our concrete driveway cost guide breaks down tear-out, base and finish.
| Driveway size | Square feet | Angi LA range | Angi LA average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 20 ft | 200 | $1,880 to $2,080 | $1,980 |
| 12 x 24 ft | 288 | $2,708 to $2,996 | $2,852 |
| 20 x 20 ft | 400 | $3,760 to $4,160 | $3,960 |
| 24 x 24 ft | 576 | $5,415 to $5,991 | $5,703 |
| 24 x 36 ft | 864 | $8,122 to $8,986 | $8,554 |
Source: Angi, driveway paving costs in Los Angeles.
National guides land in a similar place. Angi's national asphalt page puts the average at $5,348, with a range of $3,149 to $7,547, HomeGuide lists $5 to $12+ per square foot, and NerdWallet gives an average installation of $5,258. In our experience, the gap between a low per-square-foot number and a high one is mostly the base work and removal, which some figures include and some do not. Always ask what a quoted rate covers.
Resurface, replace or rebuild: the three jobs and what each costs
Resurface (overlay). A new layer of asphalt over the old one. HomeGuide puts resurfacing at $1 to $3 per square foot, or $400 to $1,800 for an average driveway, and Angi lists overlays at $3 to $7 per square foot. It works only on a sound driveway. HomeGuide says to resurface when the pavement is "less than 15 to 20 years old," when less than "25% to 30% of the surface needs repairs," and when it has "a stable and level driveway base."
Replace. Tear out the old asphalt and pave new. Angi puts replacement at $8 to $15 per square foot, and removal alone at $3 to $7 per square foot on average, depending on thickness. HomeGuide says to replace when cracks cover "60% or more," when the driveway is "older than 20 – 30 years," or when there are "multiple large potholes."
Rebuild the base. In our experience, when the stone layer under the asphalt has failed, new asphalt alone will not last. Bob Vila explains how it happens: once a crack forms and is not sealed, "water seeps in and over time, it can destabilize the gravel fill beneath the asphalt, causing the asphalt to crumble away and create a pothole." In our experience, spreading "alligator" cracks, soft spots and potholes that keep coming back are the signs. Rebuilding adds base and grading work on top of replacement. Angi lists the gravel base at $0.50 to $1 per square foot, grading and leveling at $5 to $10 per square foot, and excavation or tree removal at $1,500 to $5,100.
What goes into the price
Angi's national breakdown for a new driveway splits the cost into materials at $2 to $6 per square foot, labor at $5 to $7 per square foot, and the base layer at $0.50 to $1 per square foot. Beyond size, these are the things that move a bid:
- Thickness. HomeGuide says "Most residential driveways need 2 to 3 inches" of asphalt, and thicker costs more but lasts longer.
- Asphalt type. HomeGuide lists standard hot mix at $5 to $12+ per square foot, recycled at $4 to $9, and porous at $7 to $15.
- Shape. Angi's LA page says a custom or non-rectangular driveway runs 10% to 30% more than a standard rectangle.
- Removal and haul-off. Priced by the square foot and by thickness, per Angi's removal costs.
- Slope and access. In our experience, steep hillside driveways and tight access for trucks add labor, and a sloped lot may need drainage or wall work. Our retaining wall cost guide covers that side.
Estimate your own driveway
Here is the same math a driveway cost calculator does, using a 20-by-20-foot (400-square-foot) LA driveway:
- Resurface only: HomeGuide's range for that size is $400 to $1,500.
- Replace: Angi's LA paving range of $3,760 to $4,160, plus removal, which Angi puts at $1,200 to $2,800 for a 20-by-20 driveway. That is roughly $5,000 to $7,000.
- Rebuild the base: add grading at Angi's $5 to $10 per square foot, or about $2,000 to $4,000 for 400 square feet, plus new base stone.
To work out tons of asphalt and material vs. installed cost for any size area, use our asphalt paving cost calculator.
Use the result to test bids, not as a quote. If one bid is far below the others, find out which of these three jobs it actually includes.
The cheap bid problem: where corners get cut
Angi warns that "If you or your pro cut corners during the installation process, the driveway could experience frustrating issues years ahead of schedule." The corners that matter are mostly underground, where you cannot see them after paving day. If you are still choosing a surface, our guide to the cheapest driveway material compares upfront cost with cost to own.
- Base depth. Industry guidance hosted by the Asphalt Institute says "A base course of 6 to 8 inches of crushed aggregate is usually adequate." The Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association gives the same range: "6 to 8 inches of compacted aggregate, or gravel, as a base under 3 inches of asphalt pavement."
- Asphalt thickness. The same Asphalt Institute brief says a residential driveway "should consist of a 2-inch bottom course covered with a 1.5-inch surface course." Ask for compacted thickness in writing.
- Subgrade and compaction. It also says "The subgrade should be graded smooth, made free of organic materials, and weak spots undercut and replaced with suitable material."
- Drainage. The National Asphalt Pavement Association is blunt: "Standing water is the leading cause of driveway failure."
Questions to ask every bidder: How deep is the base, and is it new or reused? What is the compacted asphalt thickness? Where does the water go? Is removal and haul-off included? Who pulls any permits? A bidder who cannot answer these is pricing a different job.
LA permits and rules that apply
The driveway on your lot. A flat driveway usually is not a building-code permit item. Los Angeles County Public Works explains that "A building permit shall not be required for 'Platforms, walks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762mm) above grade and not over any basement or story below.'" That is the County's answer. For a lot in the City of Los Angeles, confirm with LADBS, especially if grading, walls or drainage work are part of the job.
The driveway approach and curb. Work in the street is different. In the City of LA, the Bureau of Engineering's A-Permit covers "the repair, construction or reconstruction of curbs, sidewalks, driveway approaches or gutters," and "Proof of ownership is not required to apply for an A-Permit." The municipal code (LAMC Section 62.109) sets A-Permit fees by the unit, with separate rates for asphalt surfacing by the square foot and for curbs by the linear foot, so ask for the current fee schedule. If your bid touches the approach or curb, ask who is pulling the A-Permit. Our curb and gutter cost guide covers per-foot curb pricing.
Widening the driveway. The zoning code limits width on single-family lots. Under LAMC Section 12.21, driveway width at the front property line in the R1 zone outside Hillside Areas is capped at 25 percent of the lot width or the width of any currently existing driveway, whichever is greater, with a 9-foot minimum.
Stormwater. Adding or replacing paved area on a permitted project can bring in the City's Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater rules. The City's LID brochure notes that "Most single family residences can comply in even simpler ways by installing adequate Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as rain barrels, permeable pavement, rainwater storage tanks, or infiltration swales to contain the water." The size thresholds in the current ordinance (LAMC Section 64.72) have changed since that brochure was written, so if a large driveway is part of a permitted project, ask your contractor whether LID applies. Porous asphalt, at HomeGuide's $7 to $15 per square foot, is one way to handle it. Our permeable pavers cost guide covers the paver option and what the stone base underneath adds.
Heat, sealcoat and how long it lasts
Angi says asphalt driveways "last anywhere from 15 to 30 years," and the Asphalt Institute brief says a well-designed one will give "trouble-free service for up to 20 years." In LA, heat is the main enemy of fresh asphalt. Angi notes that "Extreme heat can slowly soften the asphalt, leading to deformation as heavy vehicles sit on top of it," and advises giving a new driveway 72 hours before putting anything on it. In our experience, during a summer heat wave it helps to avoid turning the steering wheel while parked and to park in a slightly different spot for the first few weeks. For commercial lots, see our parking lot sealcoating cost guide. Whether your driveway needs a sealcoat or an overlay depends on its condition; our overlay vs seal coat guide explains how to tell.
Sealcoat protects the surface, but not right away. Angi recommends sealing "six to 12 months after the initial installation" and repeating "every two to three years." Angi's LA page puts sealcoating at $3.75 to $4.50 per square foot. Tree roots are the other common cause of damage; the University of Florida extension notes that "Roots will continue to expand and will push the asphalt higher causing cracks."
Asphalt or concrete? Asphalt costs less up front in LA, per Angi's LA figures above, but concrete lasts longer. HomeGuide lists asphalt at 15 to 30 years and concrete at 30 to 40 years. We will cover that choice in more detail in a separate guide.
Getting bids you can compare
In our experience, driveway bids are only comparable when they describe the same job. Ask each bidder to write down whether they are resurfacing, replacing or rebuilding the base, the base depth and compacted asphalt thickness, the drainage plan, removal and haul-off, and any permit for the approach. Then compare line by line.
Check any contractor's license before you sign. Our guide on how to check a California contractor's license shows how. Medici Construction Group is one licensed option for asphalt driveways, holding California A, B and C-10 licenses under CSLB #1114433. Whoever you hire, settle which of the three jobs your driveway needs before you compare prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an asphalt driveway cost in Los Angeles?
Angi puts the average LA driveway paving job at $7,170, with a range of $3,993 to $10,559. A 20-by-20-foot driveway averages about $3,960 in Angi's LA examples, before removal of an old one.
How much does it cost to pave a driveway?
Nationally, Angi puts an asphalt driveway at $5,348 on average, or $7 to $15 per square foot. Size, removal of the old surface and base work move the total most.
What does asphalt cost per square foot?
Angi's LA page lists asphalt at $3.50 to $5.40 per square foot, and its LA size examples use an overall rate of $9.40 to $10.40. National installed figures run $7 to $15 per square foot.
Is asphalt cheaper than concrete?
Usually, yes. Angi's LA page lists asphalt at $3.50 to $5.40 per square foot and concrete at $12.40 to $15.90. Concrete tends to last longer, 30 to 40 years versus 15 to 30 per HomeGuide.
How much does it cost to resurface a driveway?
HomeGuide puts asphalt resurfacing at $1 to $3 per square foot, or $400 to $1,800 for an average driveway.
Should I resurface or replace my asphalt driveway?
Resurface when the driveway is under 15 to 20 years old, less than 25% to 30% of the surface needs repair and the base is stable. Replace when cracks cover 60% or more, the driveway is older than 20 to 30 years, or there are several large potholes, per HomeGuide.
Do I need a permit to repave my driveway in Los Angeles?
A flat driveway on your lot usually does not need a building permit, per LA County Public Works; confirm with LADBS for City lots. Work on the driveway approach, curb or sidewalk in the City needs a Bureau of Engineering A-Permit.
How long does an asphalt driveway last?
Angi says 15 to 30 years. A proper base, good drainage and sealcoating every two to three years push it toward the long end.
