How Much Does a Tar and Chip Driveway Cost in 2024?
Normal range: $360 - $2,900
The average cost to install a tar and chip driveway is $1,600, but it can cost between $360 and $2,900, depending on material costs and driveway size.
The average base cost of tar and chip driveway is an average of $3 per square foot and ranges between $1 and $5 per square foot overall. In other words, you'll pay between $360 to $2,900 for the average-size driveway. The size of the project, the state of the site, and local labor and materials cost will affect the overall price. As the commodity price of oil rises or falls, expect the cost of this project to do the same. This kind of paving is usually less than the cost of installing a concrete driveway but more than one made of gravel. Let a pro who can safely work with the equipment and hot asphalt install your driveway, residential road, or parking lot.
- Average
- $1,600
- Low end
- $200
- high end
- $4,300
What Is Tar and Chip—or Chip Seal—Paving?
A tar and chip driveway—also known as macadam, chip seal, and oil and stone—consists of hot liquid asphalt layered with crushed stone or aggregate, which gets compacted before the asphalt hardens.
Unlike asphalt driveways, contractors install macadam driveways in layers. They often begin by adding a bed of loose gravel and then covering it with hot liquid bitumen. A final layer of gravel then goes on top, and a contractor flattens the mixture into a solid form. Tar-and-chip paving works best on rural, low-traffic, and slow-speed surfaces where loose or excess chips won't be as likely to damage vehicles.
Tar and Chip Driveway Cost Breakdown
The cost of tar and chip driveways relies heavily on labor and the design of your driveway. Since this is not a DIY job, you'll need a professional who has experience with the unique material and installation process.
Site Preparation
Plan to slope your driveway away from your home. In the grand scheme of driveway paving costs, grading your lawn runs between $5 and $8 per square foot in addition to the cost of the driveway itself. Pitching, or tipping, the driveway directs water safely away from your property.
If you're layering the macadam driveway on top of an old driveway, you'll need to repair any major cracks or potholes so it acts as a proper foundation. The typical expense for driveway repairs falls between $300 and $4,500.
On the other hand, if you're starting entirely from scratch, you may need to make way for the driveway. Clearing land costs between $250 and $2,800 per half-acre. Higher prices account for land that contains trees, roots, rocks, and dense shrubs.
Materials and Labor
Tar and chip materials fall between the price of gravel driveways—$1 to $3 per square foot—and the cost of asphalt driveways at around $7 to $15 per square foot. You have the choice of various stone colors and textures, and prices will vary based on the availability in your area.
The cost to pave a driveway always includes materials and labor. Labor typically accounts for 50% of the total cost, though exact numbers depend on land preparation, the shape of the driveway, and the cost of living in your area.
Construction Permits
Permits typically cost between $500 and $2,000. A municipality may require them if the tar-and-chip driveway connects to a residential street. The average cost is about $1,100, but that can vary significantly depending on the city or state.
Factors That Affect Chip Seal Driveway Cost
There are a few factors that influence the cost of installing macadam. While design options are minimal, the shape of your driveway and material availability can sway the cost.
Driveway Size
On average, driveways typically range between 120 and 1,000 square feet depending on how many cars you have and the length from your house to the road. Contractors may offer discounts for large chip seal driveway costs, but overall, you'll pay anywhere from $1 to $5 per square foot, or an average of $3 per square foot. Here are some common driveway sizes and costs to consider.
| Driveway Dimension | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10' x 12' | $360 |
| 12' x 12' | $430 |
| 12' x 20' | $720 |
| 16' x 20' | $960 |
| 20' x 20' | $1,200 |
| 20' x 40' | $2,400 |
| 24' x 40' | $2,900 |
Location
If you're located close to a tar and chip contractor, you will naturally pay less for the cost of travel and overhead compared to having to source help from many miles away. And since experienced contractors in this unique installation are not as common as concrete or asphalt professionals, you could pay more to find the right one.
Local climate can also play a role in cost. The best time to install this kind of paving is when the weather is hot and arid. The asphalt should be poured onto a warm and dry surface. Stone chips don't take to cool or hard asphalt. And so, if you live in an area with frequent cold spells or high humidity, you may need to wait longer for the right moment to pour.
Price of Oil
Keep in mind that the cost of oil will affect the overall cost of a tar and chip driveway more so than other top driveway materials. Since the bitumen liquid poured on the stone derives from oil, the fluctuating prices can have a say in the bottom line of the project.
Stone Type
While the aggregate form of asphalt is a common and affordable option for tar and chip driveways, you can also use the process with other gravel varieties. The price of gravel varies based on its availability and durability. For example, crushed granite, limestone, and pea gravel cost between $0.45 and $2 per square foot, whereas lava rock and quarts can push up to $11 per square foot.
Opting for Double Chip Seal
In addition to the basic single layer of rock and seal, you can also upgrade to a more durable double installation. The process adds an extra layer of the mixture to hold the weight of vehicles and avoid maintenance over time. The extra layer costs about $3 per square yard.
How Chip Seal Driveway Costs Compare With Other Materials
If you're considering a tar and chip driveway, you're likely on the fence about gravel or asphalt as well. The process, after all, falls right in the middle of the two types of driveway materials when it comes to cost, durability, and maintenance. Let's look at them each side by side.
Chip Seal vs. Gravel
Gravel driveways cost just $1 to $3 for labor and materials. Many homeowners make the natural leap from gravel driveways to tar and chip. The look is similar, but you don't have to worry about holding the gravel in place. Vehicle gravel driveways cost less, tar and chip lasts longer and performs better in the snow.
Chip Seal vs. Asphalt
Tar and chip driveways follow a similar installation process to asphalt, but not quite. Since asphalt is premixed, it looks cleaner and more uniform when poured. Asphalt costs between $7 and $15 per square foot, though lasts much longer—up to 40 years. However, you'll need to know how to seal an asphalt driveway every two to three years. Chip and seal lasts only 10 years overall, but does not require these frequent seals.
| Longevity | Maintenance | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip Seal | 10 years | Low |
| Gravel | 5 years | High |
| Asphalt | 40 years | Medium |
Is It Possible to DIY a Tar and Chip Paving Project?
Laying a tar and chip driveway yourself is not a good idea. The process includes working with hot layers of bitumen and operating heavy machinery. If you need a permit for your driveway installation, many towns will require you to hire an experienced local asphalt driveway company.
When looking for ways to cut costs on the price of installation, consider installing your own gravel driveway and then speaking with a professional about adding the chip seal layer down the line.
Tips for Hiring a Tar and Chip Contractor
Since tar and chip driveways are not the most common choice, it's important to only hire a professional with specific experience. Request to read testimonials, see their qualifications, and—when the information is provided—check in with past clients. Additionally:
Always request all job details and costs in writing before signing a contract.
Speak with your contractor about options for your tar and chip driveway design.
Clarify the timeline for driveway installation.
Ask the contractor how long their past installations have lasted without major repairs.
Check that the contractor has insurance and can pull the necessary permits.
Be wary of prices that are abnormally low compared to other professionals in your area.
Questions to Ask the Contractor
Before committing to a tar and chip contractor, ask any prospects the following questions to get a better understanding of whether they’re the right person for the job.
How long is this project likely to take?
How long have your past installations lasted without major repairs?
Do you have insurance?
Can you pull the necessary permits?
Do you have photo examples of previous projects that are similar to mine?
How do you handle water drainage?
Do you offer any warranties or guarantees on your work?
Do you offer any post-project care or maintenance?
What’s your process for addressing unforeseen challenges?
How do you handle the cleanup and disposal of materials?
What measures do you take to ensure the surface’s longevity and durability?
What weather conditions are ideal for this installation? How do you plan around variations in the weather?
Paul Pogue contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
A tar and chip driveway lasts 10 years on average. Other than minimal driveway cleaning, there are minimal steps to caring for macadam driveways, as even small cracks typically heal on their own. However, you will need to add another layer of seal after the 10-year mark to ensure it can bear the weight of your vehicle.
Chip seal layers gravel and a liquid bitumen one at a time on-site, while asphalt directly pours a pre-combined mixture. Asphalt must be sealed, but it will last up to four times as long as chip seal driveways. Aesthetically, chip seal has a natural, rustic look compared to the traditional asphalt slab.
Many asphalt companies have experience with tar and chip paving, but not all. The process is unique enough—and not incredibly common enough—that you may have to look around for a tar and chip specialist. However, speaking with a driveway company is a great place to start, especially if they have experience with multiple materials.