The cost of an asphalt driveway in New Hampshire depends on its size, existing ground or pavement, grading, drainage, base preparation, and the work needed before asphalt is installed.
Published consumer guides currently vary.
HomeGuide estimates professionally installed asphalt at about $5 to $12+ per square foot, while Angi reports that many homeowners pay around $7 to $15 per square foot. These are broad planning ranges, not quotes for a specific New Hampshire property.
A driveway with a stable base and straightforward access may require much less preparation than one that needs excavation, drainage work, or removal of failed pavement. Square footage is useful for budgeting, but it does not determine the final price by itself.
| Cost Question | Quick Answer |
|---|---|
| 20×20 asphalt driveway | 400 sq. ft.; published national estimate of about $2,000 to $4,800 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. asphalt driveway | Published national estimate of about $5,000 to $12,000 |
| 1,000-foot-long driveway | Width is needed before square footage or cost can be estimated |
| Asphalt material in Farmington, NH | Pike Industries lists 2026 standard mixes at about $76 to $82 per ton FOB |
| Cheapest common driveway surface | Gravel usually has the lowest upfront cost |
The 400- and 1,000-square-foot figures above come from HomeGuide’s published national cost data. Pike Industries’ 2026 pricing for its Farmington plant reflects asphalt material purchased at the facility, not the total cost of an installed driveway.
How Is Asphalt Driveway Cost Calculated?
Asphalt driveway pricing usually starts with the size of the paved area, but square footage is only one part of the estimate.
A simple starting point is:
Driveway length × driveway width = total square footage
For example, a driveway that is 50 feet long and 20 feet wide covers 1,000 square feet.
From there, the final price depends on factors such as:
- Existing pavement or ground conditions
- Excavation or removal of old asphalt
- Base preparation
- Grading and drainage
- Driveway slope and layout
- Access for paving equipment
- Asphalt thickness and project specifications
- Hauling distance and material costs
- Repairs or preparation needed before paving
Two driveways with the same square footage can have very different costs if one has a stable base and easy access while the other requires extensive preparation.
The amount of preparation also varies between residential driveway paving projects, which is why online cost-per-square-foot figures are best used for budgeting rather than as a final quote.
How Much Does a 20×20 Asphalt Driveway Cost?
A 20×20 driveway covers 400 square feet. Based on current published national estimates, paving a 400-square-foot asphalt driveway may cost roughly $2,000 to $4,800.
This is a budgeting range, not a fixed New Hampshire price. Excavation, base preparation, grading, drainage, site access, and removal of existing pavement can move the final cost higher or lower.
How Much Does It Cost to Pave a 1,000-Foot Driveway?
A 1,000-foot driveway cannot be priced accurately from length alone. You also need to know the width.
For example:
- 1,000 ft × 10 ft = 10,000 sq. ft.
- 1,000 ft × 12 ft = 12,000 sq. ft.
A driveway this long is a substantial paving project. Grading, drainage, terrain, base construction, equipment access, hauling distance, and existing site conditions can all affect the cost.
Applying a basic residential cost-per-square-foot figure to a project of this size can be misleading because larger jobs may have different material, equipment, and mobilization requirements.
If you meant a 1,000-square-foot driveway rather than a driveway that is 1,000 feet long, HomeGuide currently estimates roughly $5,000 to $12,000 for asphalt paving at that size.
How Much Does a Dump Truck Load of Asphalt Cost?
There is no single price for a “dump truck load” of asphalt because asphalt is normally sold by the ton, and truck capacities vary.
For local context, Pike Industries lists 2026 prices at its Farmington, NH plant at about $76 per ton for base/binder mix and $82 per ton for standard surface mixes. These are FOB plant prices, meaning hauling, labor, paving equipment, grading, and site preparation are not included. Pike also notes that posted prices are subject to change.
For a hypothetical 15-ton load of surface mix priced at $82 per ton, the asphalt material alone would total about $1,230 before delivery and installation.
That is why the raw cost of asphalt should not be confused with the price of a finished driveway. An installed project also includes transportation, equipment, labor, preparation, compaction, and other site-specific work.
What Is the Cheapest Option for a Driveway?
Gravel is usually the lowest-cost driveway surface upfront. Published cost comparisons generally place it below asphalt and concrete for basic installation.
The lower initial price comes with tradeoffs. Gravel can shift, develop ruts, create dust, and require periodic regrading or additional material.
Asphalt costs more upfront but provides a smooth, stable driving surface and does not require the routine regrading and loose-material replacement associated with gravel.
Concrete generally has a higher initial cost than asphalt, although the best choice depends on the property, maintenance expectations, drainage, appearance, and long-term plans.
Is It Cheaper to Resurface or Replace an Asphalt Driveway?
Resurfacing usually costs less than full replacement because much of the existing pavement remains in place and a new asphalt surface is added over it.
That lower cost only makes sense when the pavement and base underneath are still suitable. If the base is failing, the driveway has widespread movement, or drainage problems are causing repeated damage, resurfacing may only cover the underlying problem.
Full replacement costs more because it can involve removing old pavement, correcting base or drainage issues, and rebuilding the surface.
The right option depends on the condition of the driveway, not simply which one has the lowest upfront price.
What Affects Asphalt Driveway Cost in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire’s freeze-thaw cycles make drainage and base stability especially important. Water that reaches weak areas beneath the pavement can contribute to movement and cracking as temperatures change.
Long rural driveways can also increase material, hauling, equipment, and preparation requirements. Steep grades, limited equipment access, or failed existing pavement can further affect the scope and price of a project.
Homeowners planning paving construction in Farmington, NH may also benefit from having the existing pavement, drainage, and base conditions evaluated before deciding between new paving, resurfacing, or repair.
Online price ranges are therefore useful for budgeting, but the actual cost depends on the conditions at the property.
How to Get an Accurate Asphalt Driveway Estimate
Online price ranges can help you set a budget, but they cannot account for the exact condition of your driveway, base, drainage, access, and preparation needs.
Original Asphalt provides free on-site estimates so pricing can be based on the property and actual scope of work.
Request a free on-site paving estimate to get a project-specific quote.