How much does it cost to pave a driveway with asphalt, concrete, or interlocking pavers?
This is a very interesting question, and it’s important to understand that the costs vary greatly depending on the option you choose!
Undertaking exterior flooring works requires adequate information about the different options and constraints you need to consider — the types of materials, the characteristics of your land… and your budget!
To help you make the right choice, we have taken the time to prepare a comprehensive guide to driveway paving prices in Quebec and Ontario.
Here is an overview of the costs of a paving or asphalt project and their maintenance:
Driveway Paving Cost in 2025 – Overview and options
*Note that prices vary depending on the area and quality of the material, as well as the contractor and region.*
Here are the average prices on the market in Ontario and Quebec :
– Asphalt paving price: | $3 to $10 per square foot |
– Interlocking paver price | $12 to $20 per square foot |
– Concrete paving price: | $7 to $15 per square foot |
Understanding your paving needs. There are many types of paving available to consumers in Quebec. Let’s first look at the advantages of asphalt, interlocking pavers, and concrete.
Advantages of ASPHALT for Your Driveway:
- Smooth finish and Slip-resistant
- Easy maintenance
- Guaranteed waterproofing
- Resists the rigors of the Quebec climate
- Prevents moss growth
Why interlocking PAVING STONES might be a good solution?
- Prevents slipping
- Easy to maintain
- Creativity can be unleashed
- Excellent durability
- Weather-resistant
- Wide variety of colors available
What are the Strengths of Concrete Pavers?
- Extended lifespan
- Survives well against the elements
- Easy to replace when damaged
- Modern and classic style combined
- An eco-friendly choice
- Easy to install and maintain
Cost and Maintenance of Concrete Pavers
A concrete paver costs between $7 to $15 per square foot (including foundation installation).
As for maintenance, porous concrete requires the installation of a sealer once a year. The cost of a sealer is about $50 for 4 liters (covering 430 square feet).
Interlocking Pavers: What Are They? How Much Do They Cost? And Maintenance?
An interlocking paver consists of blocks approximately 60 mm thick and is made of a mixture of cement, sand, and aggregate. If necessary, the blocks can be replaced — in case of ground movements due to water infiltration or normal terrain evolution, among others. Properly done, an interlocking paver driveway lasts between 20 and 30 years.
The cost of an interlocking paver or slab ranges from $12 to $20 per block: more expensive than asphalt, for example, but much more economical in the long term due to its resistance and ease of maintenance.
Maintenance of an interlocking paver is similar to that of a concrete paver. You can also give it a “post-rain” appearance, which is very trendy, thanks to a slightly tinted coating. Otherwise, choose a transparent coating that provides additional protection.
Asphalt: Installation cost and maintenance
Asphalt represents the least expensive material to purchase: its lifespan — about 15 years — is shorter than that of interlocking pavers and concrete pavers. A proper gravel foundation can extend its lifespan to about 20 years.
The cost of asphalt driveway paving varies between $3 and $10 per square foot, depending on factors such as the area of the surface to be covered, the quality and strength of the asphalt, the region you live in, and of course, the company chosen to carry out the work.
The price also varies significantly depending on the thickness of the asphalt. This is determined by the use you will make of your driveway: what types of vehicles will be parked there? Cars, trailers, tractors, buses, etc. The heavier the vehicles, the thicker the asphalt layer will be.
It is also strongly advised against simply covering existing asphalt with new material. Soon enough, imperfections and deformations in the submerged layer will become apparent.
Other tips to save on the price of your asphalt:
- Have the asphalt work done in hot weather
- Ensure a slope of at least 2% for good water drainage. Without this, water will damage your driveway, and its lifespan will be reduced.
- Supervise the work.
Maintenance of an Asphalt Driveway: Resurfacing, Sealing
It is possible to resurface your driveway, an operation that easily adds another 10 to 15 years to the material and costs about half as much as a new asphalt surface. The operation is particularly suitable for a granular and discolored surface.
However, the surface undergoing resurfacing should not have major cracks or imperfections.
If your asphalt driveway has minor cracks, apply an asphalt and rubber sealant. For a larger crack, there are cold asphalt products to seal them. For major cracks, seek advice from a contractor: your land may have a problem with its foundations.
As for sealants, contrary to popular belief, they do not protect your asphalt driveway from weather, cracks, or normal wear and tear. A sealant simply renews the appearance of your driveway.
There are bitumen sealants on the market — also called coal tar emulsion — as well as acrylic sealants. The former are the most used by contractors because they allow the asphalt to “breathe” by letting heat escape. Acrylic sealants, on the other hand, are available in many colors — terracotta, green, gray, etc. However, they can accelerate the appearance of cracks.
For more details on the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each option, consult our information page on different driveway covering options.
Gravel driveway: An Economical Option?
Rockfill is the most economical option. It also offers many aesthetic possibilities and requires no maintenance. There’s something for every budget.
The key to a successful driveway lies in the preparation work. Remember that your paving rests on a living soil that moves due to freezing, thawing, rains, droughts, and the roots of surrounding trees. It is therefore important that the foundation of your asphalt driveway can absorb soil movements well.
Also, make sure of the quality of the geotextile fabric laid and that it covers the sides of the excavation well. This fabric creates a strong separation between the gravel and the soil of your land, preventing contamination between them, which could compromise the strength of your asphalt driveway.
Your land is organic, living, and you must respect its functioning. The recommended period for carrying out paving works is between June and September, when the risk of temperatures dropping drastically is low. If the soil is too cold, the gravel will not compact sufficiently, affecting the quality of the work.
Here are some other price ideas for your driveway paving:
Type of paving | Price per square foot | Average price (500 square feet) |
Asphalt paving | 3$ to 10$ | 3620$ |
Interlocking paving stone | 12$ to 30$ | 8272$ |
Concrete paving | 7$ to 15$ | 5687$ |
Gravel | About 3$ | 1551$ |
Compare paving contractors for your paving project!
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