Asphalt Driveway Cost Calculator › Cost by city › Washington, DC
Asphalt Cost in Washington, DC
Asphalt for a 20×40 ft (800 sq ft) asphalt driveway in Washington, DC costs about $5,248 ($4,461–$6,035). Local 2026 price is around $7 per sq ft installed. Free calculator inside.
What goes into asphalt cost in Washington
The line items below are 2026 national averages adjusted by the DC construction-cost factor (×1.25). A written Washington quote is usually built from these pieces — use them to sanity-check any bid line by line before you sign.
| Cost item | Typical Washington price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-mix asphalt, material only | $125 – $200 | per ton |
| Installed: 2–3 in overlay on sound base | $3.75 – $6.25 | per sq ft |
| Installed: full new build incl. gravel base | $6.25 – $8.75 | per sq ft |
| Tear-out of old driveway | $1.25 – $3.75 | per sq ft |
| Sealcoating (every 2–4 years) | $0.25 – $0.69 | per sq ft |
Permit fees are set by the city rather than the market — confirm current fees with the local building department.
What’s different about building in Washington
Washington's wet season is the design driver for asphalt: build in a 2% crown or cross-slope so water sheds instead of soaking the base. Historic-district rules can apply to visible flatwork; check before replacing sidewalks or aprons.
Local code and practice assume frost protection: a full-depth gravel base (not paving over dirt) is what keeps the surface flat through Washington winters.
Permits: for larger flatwork, driveways, or anything structural, check requirements with DC Department of Buildings before work starts.
Estimate your own Washington project
Prices in Washington, DC run about +25% versus the national average. Enter your dimensions — the calculator starts from the local $7 per sq ft installed rate; change it to your supplier's quote for an exact figure.
Material shopping list
- Order about 14.5 tons of asphalt.
- Budget about $5,248 before delivery, taxes, and labor.
- Add 5–10% waste for uneven subgrade, cuts, settling, or spillage.
Formula & assumptions
Area = length x width. Asphalt tons = area x depth / 12 x 145 lb/cu ft / 2,000. Cost = area x local installed price per sq ft.
- Residential asphalt density: 145 lb per cubic foot
- Default depth: 3 inches
- Default installed price: $7 per sq ft installed
These assumptions make the estimate easy for search engines and AI answer tools to verify. Replace the default price with your supplier quote for a local estimate.
Asphalt cost in Washington by project size
Material quantities use the local Washington unit price; the last column adds delivery, base prep, and labor at DC-adjusted rates. Click any size for its full breakdown and calculator.
| Project size | You need | Material cost | Installed estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×20 ft · 3 in | 3.62 tons | $1,312 | $750 – $1,750 |
| 12×24 ft · 3 in | 5.22 tons | $1,889 | $1,080 – $2,520 |
| 16×40 ft · 3 in | 11.6 tons | $4,198 | $2,400 – $5,600 |
| 20×40 ft · 3 in | 14.5 tons | $5,248 | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| 20×50 ft · 3 in | 18.12 tons | $6,560 | $3,750 – $8,750 |
| 24×60 ft · 3 in | 26.1 tons | $9,446 | $5,400 – $12,600 |
Installed ranges assume straightforward access and a buildable subgrade; steep, tight, or poor-soil sites price above the top of the range.
Asphalt questions Washington homeowners ask
- How much does an asphalt driveway cost in Washington?
- At the local average of about $6.56 per square foot installed, a 20×40 ft (800 sq ft) asphalt driveway runs $5,248. Quotes typically land between $3,000 and $7,000 depending on base condition and whether old pavement must come out.
- What does asphalt cost per square foot in Washington?
- Resurfacing over a sound existing base runs about $3.75–$6.25 per square foot in the Washington market; a full new build with excavation and a compacted gravel base runs $6.25–$8.75. Tear-out of an old driveway adds $1.25–$3.75.
- Is asphalt or concrete cheaper in Washington?
- Asphalt installs for $3.75–$8.75 per square foot versus $7.5–$12.5 for concrete, so it wins upfront. The trade-off is upkeep: asphalt wants sealcoating every 2–4 years and lasts 15–25 years, while concrete commonly runs 30-plus.
- Do I need a permit to pave a driveway in Washington?
- Usually yes when the driveway meets a public street or sidewalk — the apron is in the right-of-way. Check with DC Department of Buildings; many contractors pull the permit as part of the job.
- How long does an asphalt driveway last in Washington?
- 15–25 years with a proper base and regular sealcoating. Drainage decides which end of that range you get: water standing on or under the mat is what kills asphalt, so keep a 2% slope and seal cracks yearly.
- Should I resurface or fully replace?
- If the base is sound and less than about a third of the surface is cracked, a 1.5–2 inch overlay at $2.5–$4.38 per square foot buys another decade. Widespread alligator cracking or soft spots mean the base has failed — overlaying it just resurfaces the problem.
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Regional estimate = national average adjusted by a DC cost factor. Not a quote. Actual prices vary by site conditions, access, and supplier.