The average heated driveway costs $6,000, with most heated driveways costing $3,600 – $11,750. However, heated driveway mats can cost as little as $1,300, and heated driveways made out of pavers can cost as much as $26,250.
Are you sick of shoveling snow off the driveway? Driveways with radiant heating systems are a welcome addition for homeowners in climates with snowfall. Heated driveways with automated controls will melt the snow before you get out of bed.
In this cost guide:
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator by Size
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Cost by Location
- FAQ
Average Heated Driveway Costs in 2024
| National Average Cost | $6,000 |
| Typical Price Range | $3,600 – $11,750 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $1,300 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $26,250 |
If you’re on a budget, you may want to consider these cost-saving measures to get closer to the low end of that range:
- Building a one-car driveway
- Purchasing heated driveway mats to add to an existing driveway
- Using asphalt or concrete as the driveway material
Heated Driveway Cost Estimator by Size
Most heated driveways cost $12 – $23 per square foot to install, and the square footage of a typical 2-car driveway is 324 – 480. Please see typical pricing by driveway size in the table below.
| Driveway Size | Typical Price Range |
| One-car | $3,000 – $8,830 |
| Two-car | $3,900 – $11,000 |
| Three-car | $7,000 – $15,000 |
Other Factors that Affect Cost
Driveway Material
Different types of driveways are made of different materials, and the cost of a heated driveway depends on the material used. For example, paver driveways cost more than asphalt or concrete. The chart below shows the average cost per square foot of heated driveways by driveway material.
Concrete Driveways
Most heated concrete driveways cost $15 – $26 per square foot. The typical cost of a concrete driveway without a radiant heat system is $6 – $16 per square foot.
Asphalt Driveways
Heated asphalt driveways cost about as much as concrete driveways, with an average price of $15 – $27 per square foot. The price of an asphalt driveway without a radiant heat system is typically $4 – $15 per square foot.
Paver Driveways
Most heated paver driveways cost $20 – $50 per square foot. Pavers are more expensive than concrete or asphalt. A paver driveway without radiant heat costs $10 – $30 per square foot, but paver driveways are the best for curb appeal.
Heating System
The cost of your new heated driveway depends on the type of heating system. Options for a driveway heating system include heated mats, electric heating, and hydronic systems.
The chart below shows the cost of different types of heated driveways.
Heating Mats
Heated driveway mats are portable and typically cost about $1,600 for a 40-square-foot mat. Large heated mats can cost over $3,000.
Electric Systems
Electric coil driveway heaters use a grid of electric cables to heat the driveway’s surface. Expect to pay $3,200 – $5,800 for a new driveway with electric heating. Electric snow melting systems are the most common type of radiant-heated driveways.
Hydronic Systems
Hydronic driveway installation typically costs $4,150 – $8,700. In addition, you may have to purchase a new water heater or boiler. Hydronic systems heat the driveway using a solution of hot water and propylene glycol. Pumps circulate the heated water solution through tubing that is installed in the driveway.
Electric vs. Hydronic Systems
Although hydronic heated driveways have a higher upfront cost than electric coil systems, you can save money on operational costs if you choose an affordable energy source. Hydronic systems can run on electricity, natural gas, propane, wood, or oil.
Both electric and hydronic systems are low maintenance. Electric heating systems are just about maintenance-free, and hydronic systems only require a yearly inspection.
Drainage
Some homeowners will need additional drainage to accommodate a heated driveway. When the snow melts, the run-off water needs a place to go, so proper drainage is essential. Otherwise, the melted snow can freeze into dangerous black ice.
Most landscape drainage systems cost $1,550 to $5,250, and the average french drain costs $5,000. Although most landscape designers charge $50 – $150 per hour, drainage system planning usually requires the expertise of a professional landscape designer or architect. Landscape architects typically charge $65 – $200 per hour.
Manual vs. Automatic Controls
To automate driveway snow removal, expect to spend $375 – $2,000 extra for automated controls. Automated systems turn on and off based on temperature and moisture sensor readings. Although manual systems are cheaper, automated systems are much more convenient.
New vs. Retrofit
The prices listed in this article assume you are building a new driveway with a heated driveway system. But what if you have an existing driveway and want to add a heating element?
If you have a concrete or asphalt driveway, your contractor may be able to add a retrofit system to the old driveway. Since retrofitting typically costs $7 – $8 per square foot, it is much cheaper than building a driveway from scratch. Asphalt driveways are the easiest to retrofit, so expect them to cost less than a concrete driveway.
Related Services
If you are in the market for a heated driveway, you may also be interested in the following services:
Heated Walkways
If you’re sick of shoveling the snow off your sidewalk or garden pathways, too, consider getting a heated system for your walkways. A typical concrete sidewalk costs $6 – $12 per square foot and can be heated using snow-melting mats. Most heating mats cost about $40 per square foot.
Gravel Driveway
Gravel driveways are typically unsuitable for heating system installation, but you can use heated mats to melt the snow. You can also use rock salt to manage ice. The primary appeal of a gravel driveway is the low installation price. Most gravel driveways cost $600 – $1,800.
| National Average Cost | $1,500 |
| Typical Price Range | $600 – $1,800 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $300 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $60,000 |
Driveway Gate Installation
Consider getting a driveway gate if you want to increase your home security. Most driveway gates cost $1,230 -$9,020. Prices vary depending on the gate’s material, driveway size, and automation.
| National Average Cost | $4,830 |
| Typical Price Range | $1,230 – $9,020 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $300 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $10,200 |
Driveway Sealing
Driveway sealing protects your driveway, thus extending its lifespan. The concrete driveway sealant cost is typically $0.85 – $2.13 per square foot, and asphalt driveway sealant usually costs $0.15 – $0.23 per square foot.
| National Average Cost | $305 |
| Typical Price Range | $176 – $444 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $110 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $1,230 |
Snow Removal
If you’re considering a heated driveway, you probably live in a climate with lots of snowfall. Even if you don’t have the budget to install a heated driveway, you can still take the burden of snow shoveling off your shoulders by hiring someone else to do it for you. Snow removal typically costs $51 – $143, but more demanding jobs (e.g. removing snow from the roof) can cost over $500.
| National Average Cost | $98 |
| Typical Price Range | $51 – $143 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $32 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $525 |
If you want to remove the snow yourself, the average cost of a snowblower is $727, but the average price of a corded snow shovel is only about $92. Before getting on the roof, ensure you know how to remove snow from your roof safely.
Cost of Installing a Heated Driveway by Location
Your geographic location influences the cost of a heated driveway for the following reasons:
- Installation costs: Labor costs depend on the local cost of living, the number of qualified local contractors in your area, and the local demand for the service.
- Operational costs: The cost to operate a heated driveway depends on local utility rates.
- Permits: The cost of building permits varies by location. You may also need to have the driveway inspected, and those fees vary.
For a project estimate specific to your area, reach out to a local heating specialist for a quote.
FAQ
Heated driveways work great for homeowners living in snowy climates. Thus, many northerners feel a heated driveway is worth the cost for the following reasons:
• You won’t have to shovel snow off the driveway before going to work or taking the kids to school.
• You don’t need to salt the driveway or worry about children or pets ingesting the rock salt. Rock salt can also kill plants or damage your car.
• Heated driveways reduce the risk of snow removal injuries.
• Homeowners with heated driveways pay less for snow removal services.
• Installing a radiant heat system can prolong your driveway’s lifespan.
• A heated driveway (in good condition) will increase your home value if you live in an area with heavy snowfall.
It would be best if you did not try to install your own heated driveway. The job requires the expertise of an electrician, and if you try it yourself, you risk:
• Hurting yourself
• Breaking the system
• Voiding the driveway’s warranty
In addition to needing an electrician, you want an experienced contractor to build your driveway and may require a professional to do the following jobs:
• Drainage design
• Driveway removal
• Land grading and leveling
Most professionally installed heated driveways last 15 – 20 years.
Final Thoughts
If you’re sick of shoveling snow, salting the driveway, or paying for professional snow removal, it’s time to invest in a heated driveway. Doing so will reduce snow removal-related injuries and save you time and money. Contact a local heating pro to get an estimate today.
Main Photo by: Stig Nygaard / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
