What Does a Driveway Extension Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $800 - $3,000
On average, homeowners spend $1,900 to extend a driveway, with costs ranging from $800 and $3,000, depending on the materials and shape of the extension.
Installing a driveway extension costs $1,900 but can range between $800 and $3,000, depending on the shape of the extension and the materials used, among other factors. Parking in the street leaves your vehicle susceptible to swipes from wayward garbage trucks and teenagers who haven’t passed their driving tests. A driveway extension can keep your vehicle safe while adding value to your home, and a bonus: you’ll have a little less lawn to mow.
- Average
- $1,900
- Low end
- $300
- high end
- $4,900
What’s the Average Cost of a Driveway Extension?
The cost of a driveway extension will vary widely depending on several factors, including the material used to pave the addition, driveway width, and length, the prep work required, and the going rate for installing a material such as concrete or asphalt in your area. For example, similar to the cost to repave a driveway, the average cost of a 200-square-foot concrete driveway extension is $1,900, but that will vary. Let’s look at the typical costs for different materials you can use to create a driveway extension.
Driveway Extension Cost by Material
There are four main types of driveways you can choose from for your extension. You can choose between concrete, brick, gravel, and paver stones. Ideally, you’ll pick the one that your current driveway is or replace the existing driveway with your choice of material.
Concrete Driveways
Concrete driveways are the typical driveways you think of when you’re pulling up into your dream house. On average, concrete driveways cost around $10 per square foot, which includes labor.
Asphalt
Asphalt is a versatile driveway material that is often used as the entire driveway or in combination with concrete, gravel, and pavers. The typical cost for asphalt is around $100 to $200 per ton. This works out to about $2.50 to $5 per square foot at 4 inches thick, similar to the usual thickness of a concrete driveway.
Gravel
For those who are on a tighter budget, gravel driveways are a great low-cost option. The typical gravel drive costs around $4 to $5 per square foot, but your costs may be higher if you live on a slope.
Brick
With brick driveways, you’re going to pay for the luxe look that they offer. You’re looking at spending around $10 to $15 per square foot. The price fluctuates depending on the demand for the material at the time.
Pavers
Paver stones add individuality to your driveway. You can customize the design to your liking. The cost of paving a driveway may range from $15 to $30 per square foot.
Additional Factors That Affect the Cost of a Driveway Extension
Other than the area and thickness of the driveway material, a few factors can impact the cost of installing a driveway extension. Here are a few of the most common cost factors to keep in mind when considering driveway extension ideas.
Location
The cost to install a driveway extension can vary greatly depending on the area of the country you live in. Installing concrete, pavers, and asphalt is likely to cost more in places with a higher cost of living. Areas with easier access to materials may allow for lower prices to install a driveway extension. Places that are difficult to get materials delivered to, such as areas in the mountains or very remote rural areas, may require higher delivery costs.
Shape of Extension
The shape of the driveway extension you want installed can impact the cost of the job. For example, driveway ideas that require forming curved edges call for more labor and time compared to forming straight lines. Shapes and designs with more complex layouts and formwork will probably cost more than squares and rectangles.
Condition of the Yard
If the area where your driveway extension will be installed requires extensive grading, retaining walls, or the removal of stumps, bushes, trees, or existing pavement to be replaced, expect additional costs compared to a flat space with sod or dirt to be excavated.
What Are the Advantages of a Driveway Extension?
The main advantages of extending your driveway include adding value to your home, eliminating the need to park in the street, and finally allowing you to move your vehicles to the backyard with ease.
Adds Value to the Home
You’ll spend around $4,900 for a concrete driveway extension. However, when the job is complete, you’ll find that the property value boost alone recovers those costs entirely, if not more.
No More Parking on the Street
Moving your car off the street can give you peace of mind that your vehicle is safe no matter what comes barreling down your road. Plus, hauling in 10 bags of groceries at once will also prove easier when you’re only a few steps from the house versus in the street.
Less Lawn to Take Care Of
If you’re tired of mowing your yard, a driveway extension can tackle two problems at once. Wherever you once needed to cut your grass, you’ll now find a lovely spot to park your vehicle.
Ease of Access to the Backyard
Extending your driveway into your backyard makes it easy to move larger items in and out. You’ll have a convenient place to store a boat or camper without damaging your grass (or irritating your neighbors).
What Are the Negatives of a Driveway Extension?
Driveway extensions aren’t possible for everyone. Perhaps your HOA says no way, or maybe an extended driveway doesn’t fit the layout of your house or lot. Or perhaps you simply don’t want to deal with the maintenance and upkeep of an extended driveway come the first snowstorm of the season.
Maintenance
If you’re tired of maintaining your current driveway, chances are you’ll not enjoy maintaining it even more. You need to seal the driveway every one to three years. However, you can always hire a driveway sealcoating company near you to do this for you.
HOA Might Not Allow It
Unfortunately, if you’ve signed an HOA agreement that says you can’t extend your driveway, you’re out of luck. You’ll either need to petition the HOA board to allow it, or you’ll be looking at fines for your parking pad.
Looks Funky If You Have a One-Car Garage
Extending a driveway isn’t always the best idea for every house. For example, if you’re rocking a one-car garage but your driveway encompasses your entire yard, you might find the property value decreases. But this comes down to personal preference, and you should ask a driveway paving company near you for their recommendation.
Can You Add a Paved Driveway Extension Yourself
Although, technically, yes, you can install a paved driveway extension yourself, paving driveways and extensions requires heavy machinery and is very labor intensive. Installing a driveway extension is not a DIY-friendly project and it’s definitely best to hire a professional paving company to do this job.
Josh Maday contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Driveways last 25 to 50 years, but you’ll notice cracks and possible missing pieces during this time. Regular maintenance, such as filling cracks, reapplying sealer, and ensuring that water does not erode the base material, can help extend the lifespan of your driveway. Gravel driveways should be regraded to fill in uneven areas every year or two, depending on how frequently it is needed.
Maintaining a driveway depends on the material your driveway is made of. Concrete and asphalt should be sealed to protect against water and freeze-thaw cycles. Cracks and expansion joints should be filled with a flexible polyurethane caulk or asphalt sealer. Before you apply a sealant to your driveway, consider pressure washing the surface. It will take off any loose sealant and any grime that might have caused a stain. Sealing over dirt and stains will trap it under the sealer.
If you live in colder climates, consider using sand rather than salt to de-ice. It helps melt the snow and ice without speeding up the freezing and unthawing process of your driveway. This helps prevent cracks from forming from the constant fluctuation of temperatures.
Driveway extensions typically need permits when they meet or intersect a public road. You also need to consider drainage systems, as you can’t add a driveway where one exists. However, if the extension doesn’t connect to the road, you might avoid needing permits. Check with your local municipality for more details.
Concrete driveways are one of the best for adding value to a home, with an average cost of $10 per square foot. They are durable, low maintenance, and appealing, and they create a return on investment by enhancing curb appeal and functionality. Concrete driveways are a top choice for homeowners looking to improve their property's value through driveway extensions or new installations.