10 Types of Driveways: Pros, Cons, and Costs

When choosing a driveway material, you want to ensure that the driveway fits your budget and holds up well in your climate. You also want a driveway that looks great with your home and isn't too much to maintain. Learn all about the best types of driveways, their pros, cons, and costs. You’ll be cruising to a new driveway soon.

1. Concrete Driveway

Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, and aggregates such as sand and gravel. A concrete driveway is durable, low-maintenance, and long-lasting. It's the most common type of driveway for many reasons.

Pros

• Durable and holds up well to heavy traffic

• Long-lasting, usually 100 years or more

• Low-maintenance, ideally an annual cleaning and resealing every two to three years

• Complements a variety of home styles

• On the lower end of the cost spectrum

• Great for hot climates

Cons

• Can crack under extremely cold temperatures

• Not as decorative or unique as some other driveway materials

Cost

Concrete driveways cost between $4 to $15 per square foot, or $2,340 to $7,500 on average. Work with a local paving company to get a quote for your driveway.

2. Asphalt Driveway

Asphalt driveways are blacktop driveways made of asphalt cement, the distilled parts of petroleum, and sand or gravel. They're great for cold climates and have a distinct black look.

Pros

• Great for cold climates as it doesn't crack like concrete

• Beautiful black surface

• Affordable alternative to concrete

• Lasts 15 to 30 years

• Low maintenance, ideally a cleaning every two years and resealing every one to three years

Cons

• Not ideal for hot climates, as asphalt can get sticky

• Can crack if not well-maintained

Cost

Asphalt driveways cost between $7 and $15 per square foot, or $4,740 on average, slightly above the cost of concrete.

3. Gravel Driveways

Gravel driveways are a mix of small stones and coarse sand with an under layer of sand, dirt, and stone. Gravel driveways are the least expensive type of driveways, making them great for longer driveways in rural areas.

Pros

• Easier to install than other types of driveways

• Range of color and stone size options

• Least expensive driveway material, ideal for long driveways and rural communities

• Allows water to flow through, limiting pooling and flooding

• Resists shifting

Cons

• Not as comfortable to drive down

• Can be difficult to remove snow

• Susceptible to potholes and ruts

• Can be dusty and dirty

• Needs top layer of fresh gravel every few years

Cost

Gravel driveways cost between $1.25 to $1.80 per square foot, or $800 to $1,110 on average. Gravel is the least expensive driveway material. 

4. Brick Driveways

A brick driveway features an arrangement of bricks in symmetrical rows or a pattern. Brick offers visual interest and top-of-the-line durability and longevity.

Pros

• Highly durable and long-lasting (50 to 100 or more years)

• Beautiful, high-end look

• Withstands any weather conditions

• Can boost curb appeal and the value of your home

• Limited maintenance

• Easy to replace bricks

Cons

• Requires a driveway pro to install and more labor than other materials

• Can shift or loosen over time

• More expensive than concrete and asphalt

• Fewer style and color options than pavers

Cost

Brick driveways cost $10 to $30 per square foot, mostly due to the labor required to lay the brick. The price increases with fancier and more intricate designs.

5. Paver Driveway

A paver driveway uses stones made from concrete, clay brick, or natural stone. A driveway made of pavers offers a high-end look and a plethora of design options.

Pros

• Beautiful, high-end look

• Long-lasting, up to 50 years

• Many design and color options available

• Can boost curb appeal and home value

• Low maintenance

Cons

• Higher installation costs

• Weeds can grow through gaps

• Can be more difficult to remove snow

Cost

Paver driveways cost an average of $10 to $50 per square foot, with a wide variation of cost between different styles.

6. Stamped Concrete Driveways

Stamped concrete is concrete that has color and texture embedded into the top layer to emulate stone, brick, or wood. It offers the look of pavers or bricks at a lower price point. Stamped concrete is similarly durable and long-lasting to standard concrete, but costs more.

Pros

• Offers higher-end look than standard concrete

• Wide variety of style and design options

• Holds up nearly as well as concrete, usually 50 to 100 years

• Can increase curb appeal and home value

• Holds up in most climates

• Less expensive than bricks or pavers

Cons

• More time-consuming and expensive to install than concrete

• Needs more maintenance than standard concrete

• Can be difficult to repair

Cost

A stamped concrete driveway costs between $12 and $28 per square foot, more than standard concrete but less than pavers, brick, or stone.

7. Turf Driveway

A turf driveway includes a combination of grass and pavers for a decorative look. It’s friendlier on the environment due to less concrete or asphalt creation, but you'll need to cut the grass regularly. 

Pros

• Offers unique, decorative look

• More eco-friendly and sustainable than other materials

Cons

• Requires regular maintenance and cutting

• More expensive than standard driveway materials

• Not suitable for cold, snowy climates or drought-ridden areas

• Can have uneven footing

Cost

The cost for a turf driveway with pavers is $12 to $40 per square foot. The cost largely depends on the type of pavers you use.

8. Stone Driveways

Stone driveways can offer a sophisticated look and come in a variety of styles, such as stove pavers and cobblestones.

Pros

• Beautiful, classic look

• Boosts curb appeal and home value

• Highly durable

• Long-lasting, usually up to 50 years

• Easy to repair

Cons

• More expensive than other materials

• More maintenance, especially weeding between stones

• More difficult to remove snow

• Labor-intensive installation

Cost

The cost of stone driveways ranges from $10 to $50 per square foot, depending on the type and color of stone.

9. Tar and Chip Driveway

A tar and chip driveway is a combination of hot liquid asphalt covered with crush stone and then compacted. It's great for rural areas as an alternative to gravel.

Pros

• Lower cost than concrete or asphalt

• More durable than gravel

• More polished look than gravel

• Solid traction

• Best for low-traffic driveways

Cons

• Limited lifespan, usually 7 to 10 years

• Harder to find a contractor to install

• Snow plows can damage it

• More maintenance than asphalt and concrete

Cost

The cost of a tar and chip driveway ranges from $5 to $10 per square foot.

10. Cobblestone Driveway

A cobblestone driveway is constructed using small, rounded pavers made from natural stones. The stones are most commonly granite, but are sometimes a combination of a few different stones, such as basalt or limestone. You can choose from a variety of sizes and shapes to create a cobblestone driveway that matches your design aesthetic—these driveways are known for their unique, unusual beauty.

Pros

• Extremely durable

• Beautiful, old-world aesthetic

• Acts as a natural drainage system

• Very customizable

• Natural materials are eco-friendly

• Can last up to 75 years

Cons

• Requires lots of maintenance

• Weeds often grow in between stone gaps

• Creates an uneven surface

• Most expensive than concrete or asphalt

Cost

The cost of a cobblestone driveway ranges from $20 to $70 per square foot; the price will vary depending on the type of stone, the size, and other variables. 

How to Choose a Type of Driveway

The best driveway material depends on your climate, the size of your driveway, and your budget. Consider these factors as you choose from different types of driveways.

• Climate: Choose a material that holds up well in your area. If you live in a cold, snowy climate, consider asphalt. If you’re in a hot climate, go with concrete. 

• Budget: Concrete, gravel, and asphalt sit at the low end of pricing, while pavers, bricks, and turf are on the higher end.

• Length of driveway: The longer the driveway, the more a material can impact the total cost.

• Curb appeal: Choose a material that complements your home or gives you your desired look.

• Maintenance level: Pair up the driveway with what you're willing to take care of. Gravel, concrete, and asphalt are lower maintenance, while a turf driveway is more time-intensive.

• Durability and Longevity: Aim for a driveway that holds up to frequent traffic or lasts as long as you plan to stay in the home.

• Local ordinances: Your city or local municipality sets guidelines for the type of driveway, width of driveway, driveway thickness, and other components. Be sure to follow the local ordinances when installing or replacing a driveway.