Base condition
Asphalt is only as good as what is under it. A failing base means an overlay will crack again within a couple of seasons, so we look at the base before recommending anything.
Asphalt work in New Hampshire generally runs $3 to $7 per square foot for a new or fully replaced driveway, $2 to $4 per square foot for an overlay on a sound base, and a few hundred dollars for targeted pothole and crack repair. A typical two-car driveway of about 600 square feet therefore lands somewhere around $1,800 to $4,200 replaced, and closer to $1,200 to $2,400 overlaid. The condition of the base underneath is what decides which column you are in.
These are researched ranges for southern New Hampshire and the Seacoast, published to help you budget. They are estimates only — site access, ground conditions, tear-out and material choice move the number in both directions. Every real price comes from an on-site look and a written quote.
Price Ranges
Asphalt & Driveway Repair Price Ranges
Typical installed ranges for southern New Hampshire and the Seacoast.
| Item | Typical Range | Unit | What That Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothole / patch repair | $150 – $600 | per repair area | Saw or square-up, clean out, hot patch and compaction |
| Crack filling | $0.50 – $2 | per linear foot | Clean-out and hot rubberized crack filler |
| Sealcoating | $0.20 – $0.60 | per square foot | Surface clean, edge cut, sealer application |
| Asphalt overlay (resurface) | $2 – $4 | per square foot | New asphalt lift over an existing sound base, rolled and compacted |
| Full driveway replacement | $3 – $7 | per square foot | Tear-out, base prep, gravel as needed, new binder and top course |
| New driveway on undeveloped ground | $4 – $9 | per square foot | Excavation, grading, drainage, gravel base and asphalt |
| Apron / culvert and drainage work | $500 – $3,000 | per project | Regrading, culvert or drain placement where water is the root problem |
Estimator
Asphalt Driveway Cost Calculator
Set your driveway size, asphalt depth and mix to see where your project lands inside the ranges above.
50 ft
20 ft600 ft
12 ft
8 ft40 ft
Tear-out, base prep, binder and top course
Estimated project range
$1,800 – $4,200
About $3.00–$7.00 per sq ft · 600 sq ft total
- full driveway replacement, 2" depth$1,800+
Budgeting tool only — not a quote. It uses the researched ranges published on this page. Base condition, access and drainage move the real number.
Turn this estimate into a real number
Get a written quote for 600 sq ft of paving
We'll carry your selections straight into the quote form — size, scope, depth, mix and the $1,800 – $4,200 range you're seeing. You only need to add your contact details.
- Full driveway replacement
- 600 sq ft
- 2" depth
- Standard hot mix asphalt
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Your selections, the cost breakdown and the estimated range — formatted to print, share with a spouse, or compare against other bids. Tell us where to send it and the file downloads instantly.
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Download The Cost Guide
The whole guide as a printable PDF — handy when you're comparing paving bids.
Free PDF
New Hampshire Asphalt & Driveway Cost Guide (PDF)
- Square-foot ranges for patching, sealcoating, overlays and full replacement
- Tear-out, drainage and apron costs broken out separately
- How base condition and freeze-thaw decide overlay vs. replace
- Common questions and what to ask before you sign a paving contract
Four pages, print-friendly. We'll email you a copy — no spam, no sales calls unless you ask for one.
Cost Drivers
What Moves The Number
The same project can sit at either end of the range. These are the reasons why.
Freeze-thaw cycles
New England driveways take a beating from water freezing in cracks and lifting the surface. Sealing and crack filling early is far cheaper than the resurfacing it prevents.
Drainage and slope
Water pooling on or running under a driveway is the most common reason asphalt fails early. Fixing pitch or adding drainage adds cost now and saves the surface later.
Thickness
Residential driveways and areas that see heavy trucks call for different asphalt depths. More material means a higher square-foot number and a longer service life.
Tear-out and disposal
Removing failed asphalt, hauling it and paying tipping fees is a real line item on a replacement that does not exist on an overlay.
Size and shape
Larger, simple rectangles cost less per square foot. Small jobs carry fixed mobilization cost, and curves, islands and tight turnarounds slow the paving down.
Access and staging
Equipment needs room. Steep approaches, low branches and narrow in-town access change how the work gets staged.
Season
Asphalt needs workable temperatures. Late-season work is possible but the schedule window in New Hampshire is real and worth planning around.
Options
Repair, Overlay Or Replace
Crack fill and sealcoat
$0.20 – $0.60 / sq ft
Right when the surface is sound and you are protecting it. Maintenance, not a fix for structural failure.
Patch repair
$150 – $600 per area
Right for isolated potholes and edge damage on an otherwise solid driveway.
Overlay
$2 – $4 / sq ft
Right when the base is stable and the surface is worn or lightly cracked. Wrong if the base is moving.
Full replacement
$3 – $7 / sq ft
Right when there is alligator cracking across large areas, sinking, or a base that has failed.
Decision
Repair Or Replace
Spending the smaller number only makes sense when the base is sound. Here is how to tell.
Signs a repair is enough
Isolated potholes, single cracks under about a quarter inch, surface oxidation and fading, edges crumbling in one or two spots. The driveway is otherwise flat and firm underfoot with no soft or sunken areas.
Signs you need an overlay
Widespread surface cracking and wear, but the driveway still drains and holds shape with no sinking. The base is intact, so a new lift on top buys many more years for a fraction of a replacement.
Signs it needs replacing
Alligator cracking over large areas, potholes coming back in the same places, sunken spots that hold water, or asphalt that flexes when a vehicle drives over it. Those are base failures, and paving over them wastes money.
Local Pricing
Costs In Your Town
Ground conditions, access and drive time differ town to town. See what we run into locally.
FAQ
Asphalt & Driveway Repair Cost Questions
The questions we get asked most about asphalt & driveway repair pricing in New Hampshire — grouped so you can jump to what matters.
Pricing Basics
4 questions
What Drives The Price
4 questions
Timing & Process
3 questions
Permits & Property
1 question
Maintenance & Longevity
3 questions
Still not sure where your project lands? Send dimensions and a couple of photos and we’ll come back with a written quote — no guessing from a range.
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