How Much Does a Paver Driveway Cost in 2024?

Expect to pay $5,500 – $26,000 for a new paver driveway.

Many homeowners invest in a paver driveway because they are durable and increase a property’s curb appeal. Expect to pay $5,500 to $26,000 for a new paver driveway. The average paver driveway costs $13,000, but the exact price depends on size, paver type, and other cost factors. 

In this cost guide:

Average Paver Driveway Costs in 2024

National Average Cost$13,000
Typical Price Range$5,500 – $26,000
Extreme Low End Cost$2,000
Extreme High End Cost$64,800

Most paver driveways cost about $10 to $30 per square foot, so a typical two-car driveway is $5,760 to $17,280 total. If that is outside your budget, a low-end one-car paver driveway may cost as little as $2,000.

Paver Driveway Cost Estimator by Size

Most paver driveways cost $10 to $30 per square foot, but high-end pavers can cost as much as $70 per square foot. Please see typical pricing by driveway size in the table below.

Driveway SizeAverage overall cost 
One-car $2,000 – $6,000
Two-car $5,760 – $17,280
Three-car $8,640 – $25,920

Other Factors that Affect Cost

Here are other factors to consider when budgeting for a paver driveway:

Type of Pavers

The pavers used to construct your driveway dramatically impact the overall cost. Please see pricing for common paver types in the table below. The prices include material and installation cost.

Type of PaverTypical cost / Sq Ft
Clay Brick$10 – $20
Cobblestone$20 – $70
Concrete $10 – $20
Stone$10 – $30
Grass$10 – $20
Permeable$10 – $40

Not sure which paver to pick?

  • Clay brick paver driveways are durable and attractive. They also require less maintenance than concrete or asphalt driveways.
  • Concrete pavers are the most popular type of driveway paver. Concrete can be molded into bricks that last longer than clay pavers.
  • Cobblestone pavers have the longest average lifespan, lasting up to 100 years. They are expensive but easy to install and great for curb appeal. 
  • Permeable pavers are affordable and environmentally friendly. Instead of water flowing to drainage sewers, it seeps through the pavers into the ground.  
  • Grass pavers are a type of permeable paver that have spaces for grass to grow through. You will have to maintain the grass, similarly to a regular lawn.
  • Natural stone pavers are beautiful and can hold a lot of weight, but aren’t as durable as concrete or brick.

Prep Work

You may need the following prep done prior to constructing your driveway:

  • Grading the land for your paver driveway can cost between $100 and $3,400, depending on the steepness of the slope. 
  • Excavation typically costs $500 to $6,000 depending on what materials need to be moved.
  • Removing an existing driveway typically costs $1,500 to $2,500.
  • Land clearing costs between $90 and $800 for ⅛ of an acre, but the price depends on the amount of forestry that needs clearing. 

Base Material

Most paver driveways have a compacted sand or gravel base layer with a layer of sand bedding on top. Sand joints are put between interlocking pavers to improve stability and durability, and sand bedding helps prevent sand joints from eroding.

The cost of the base layer will affect your overall price. Base level costs depend on:

  • Type of materials
  • Cost of labor
  • Prep work (such as digging a foundation)

Drainage

If you live somewhere with heavy rainfall or a high risk of flooding, you may need additional drainage to ensure your paver driveway can hold up against the elements. 

You can improve your driveway drainage by crowning the area for an extra $100, but some homeowners will need a sublayer of gravel (or other material), which can cost thousands.

Design

You can create exquisite design patterns when installing pavers. However, complexity and color will increase the cost of your driveway, so stick with a simple pattern if you want to save some money.

While you’re researching options for a new driveway, check out these alternatives and additional services:

Concrete Driveway

Concrete driveways cost less than pavers but are also less durable. Although concrete driveways don’t add as much to your home value as pavers do, they usually add enough value to pay for themselves. The average concrete driveway costs $3,500.

National average cost$3,500
Typical price range$1,885 – $6,475
Extreme low end cost$600
Extreme high end cost$12,000

Asphalt Driveway

Asphalt driveways are cheaper than pavers but require more maintenance and are less durable. Nevertheless, asphalt is an excellent option if pavers are out of your budget. The typical cost of an asphalt driveway is $5,000.

National average cost$5,000
Typical price range$3,086 – $7,912
Extreme low end cost$1,670
Extreme high end cost$10,900

Gravel Driveway

A gravel driveway may be ideal if you are on a small budget. The average gravel driveway costs only $1,500. Pricing depends on size, depth, gravel type, and prep work. 

National average cost$1,500
Typical price range$600 – $1,800
Extreme low end cost$300
Extreme high end cost$60,000

Landscaping

You probably want the surrounding landscape to look as exquisite as your new driveway. The cost of landscaping services depends on the services and landscape design. See standard service pricing in the table below.

Landscaping ServiceTypical Cost
Planting trees and bushes$25 – $3,000 / Plant
Sod $0.87 to $1.76 / Sq. Ft.
Flower Beds$650 – $3,000
Landscape Design$2,200 – $6,182

Driveway Sealing

Driveway sealant extends your driveway’s lifespan and is affordably priced at around $305. Size is the primary determinant of driveway sealing cost.

National average cost$305
Typical price range$175 – $445
Extreme low end cost$110
Extreme high end cost$1,230

Heated Driveway

If you live in a climate with snowfall, consider getting a heated driveway. Most heated driveways cost $3,600 – $11,750, but heated paver driveways typically cost $6,500 – $26,000. Installing a heated driveway reduces the cost of snow removal, and automated systems make driveway snow removal effortless. 

National Average Cost$6,000
Typical Price Range$3,600 – $11,750
Extreme Low-End Cost1,3000
Extreme High-End Cost26,250

Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost

Paver installation isn’t an easy home improvement project, but doing it yourself can save you money. Unfortunately, mistakes can end up costing you more than the DIY savings. 

Please see equipment costs in the table below.

EquipmentTypical Cost
Wheelbarrow$60
Shovel$20
Compactor (Rental)$95 / day
Level$35
Gloves$18
Tape Measure$18
Wood Stakes and String$20
Lump Hammer$35
Backpack Leaf Blower (Rental)$40 / day

If you have a lot of land preparation to do, you may need more heavy equipment than included in the table above. In addition to that equipment, you’ll have to pay for materials, which will be more expensive for you than they would be for a contractor. Please see material prices below.

MaterialTypical Cost
Pavers$4 – $20 / square foot
Gravel$25 – $50 / ton
Landscape Fabric$200
Bedding sand$0.30 – $0.40 / square foot
Polymeric Sand$0.10 – $0.30 /square foot

A DIY paver driveway costs about half as much as hiring professional installers. That’s if you do it right the first time. Mistakes can damage tiles and decrease your driveway’s lifespan. If you don’t have experience, hiring a professional is best. 

Cost of Installing a Paver Driveway by Location

Your location impacts the cost of a new driveway in the following ways:

  • Soil type varies by location, and the harder your soil is to break, the more expensive the driveway installation.
  • Labor costs vary based on the local cost of living and labor demand. For example, rural areas tend to have lower labor costs than cities.
  • Wet climates require more drainage, adding to the overall project cost.
  • Permits may be an extra expense if your area requires a building permit to install a driveway.
  • Materials that are widely available in your area will cost less. The further materials have to travel, the higher the cost.

FAQ

Does a paver driveway increase home value?

Pavers, when done correctly, can add value to your home. They are one of the best driveways for curb appeal, which increases home value and decreases the time your home is on the market.

How much does it cost to install 1,000 sq ft of pavers?

Most paver driveways cost $10 to $30 per square foot (including installation), so a 1,000 square foot driveway will cost $10,000 – $30,000. High-end cobblestone paver driveways can cost even more.

Is a paver driveway cheaper than concrete?

Poured concrete is much cheaper than a paver driveway. However, paver driveways require less maintenance, are more durable, and add more to your curb appeal. 

How long will a paver driveway last?

When properly installed, paver driveways typically last 25 – 50 years, but cobblestone paver driveways can last up to 100 years. Paver driveways last longer than poured concrete or asphalt. 

Final Thoughts

Whether made with clay, concrete, or stone, a paver driveway is a beautiful choice for your home. If you’re ready to upgrade the curb appeal of your driveway, contact an installation specialist to get a quote.

Main Photo By: Arlington County / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Michelle Selzer

Michelle Selzer

Michelle Selzer is a witty writer with a passion for plants and outdoor power tools. When she's not out in the yard, Michelle enjoys fishing, hunting, and chasing waterfalls.