Paving Cost per Square Foot (San Diego, 2026)
The short version: Driveway pavers in San Diego run roughly $14.76–$19.95 per square foot installed in 2026, so a 600 sq ft two-car driveway lands around $8,850–$11,950. Asphalt runs $3.56–$5.42 per square foot, paver patios and walkways $11.78–$17.89, and an overlay or reseal $1.01–$2.06. Removing the old surface adds about 12%.
GetProEstimate is a free online estimator for any home project, from roofing and patio covers to exterior work, windows, flooring, kitchens, bathrooms and ADUs. For paving it measures the driveway or patio from satellite imagery and the County parcel record, so the square footage in your estimate is the real one, not a guess. The ranges are priced from the construction cost guides contractors bid from, adjusted for San Diego labor, and every estimate leads to one licensed San Diego contractor, not ten calls.
Overlay / Reseal
$1.01–$2.06 /sq ft
Asphalt sealcoat or thin overlay on a sound base.
Asphalt Driveway
$3.56–$5.42 /sq ft
New asphalt over a compacted base.
Parking Area
$4.25–$6.31 /sq ft
Larger asphalt pads, RV and side-yard parking.
Paver Patio / Walkway
$11.78–$17.89 /sq ft
Pedestrian-grade base, sand set.
Paver Driveway
$14.76–$19.95 /sq ft
Vehicle-grade base, edge restraint, polymeric sand.
What Moves a San Diego Paving Quote
Square footage — the whole price is per square foot, so measure before anyone quotes; most quotes never do
Removal — demolishing and hauling the old concrete or asphalt adds about 12%
Base — driveways need a deeper compacted base than patios; slopes and poor soil add excavation
Pattern and product — herringbone, borders, large-format and permeable pavers cost more to lay than a running bond
Right-of-way work — a new apron or curb cut needs a city permit and often an inspection
Drainage — water has to go somewhere; channel drains and grading are the usual add-on
San Diego note: the county’s stormwater rules favor surfaces that let water soak in, and permeable pavers are the easy way to meet them on a larger driveway. Many local HOAs also limit driveway colors and patterns. Both are worth one phone call before you pick a product, because the difference between a permeable and a standard paver is a few dollars a square foot, and the difference between an approved and an unapproved driveway is doing it twice.
| Project | Asphalt | Pavers |
|---|
| Short 2-car driveway (400 sq ft) | $1,400–$2,150 | $5,900–$8,000 |
| Standard 2-car driveway (600 sq ft) | $2,150–$3,250 | $8,850–$11,950 |
| Long or 3-car driveway (800 sq ft) | $2,850–$4,350 | $11,800–$15,950 |
| Large driveway (1,000 sq ft) | $3,550–$5,400 | $14,750–$19,950 |
| Paver patio (300 sq ft) | — | $3,550–$5,350 |
| Front walkway (120 sq ft) | — | $1,400–$2,150 |
Ranges are installed prices before removal of an existing surface. Add about 12% for tear-out. Rounded to the nearest $50.
Pavers vs. Concrete vs. Asphalt in San Diego
Three surfaces, three very different bills over twenty years.
Interlocking pavers
Highest up-front cost, longest life, and the only one you can spot-repair by lifting a few pieces
Permeable options satisfy stormwater rules; patterns and borders raise the price
Concrete
Mid-priced; cracks are permanent and a repair rarely matches, which is why pavers win at resale
Stamped or colored concrete narrows the price gap with pavers without narrowing the repair problem
Asphalt
Cheapest to lay, needs a reseal every few years, and softens in hot sun; common on long rural drives in East County
An overlay or reseal at $1.01–$2.06 per square foot buys years on a sound base
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do driveway pavers cost in San Diego?
Interlocking driveway pavers run about $14.76 to $19.95 per square foot installed in San Diego in 2026, from the construction cost guide contractors bid from, adjusted for local labor. A typical 600 square foot two-car driveway is roughly $8,850–$11,950, and tearing out an old concrete or asphalt driveway first adds about 12%. Permeable pavers and intricate patterns sit at the top of the range.
Is asphalt or pavers cheaper for a San Diego driveway?
Asphalt is far cheaper up front at about $3.56 to $5.42 per square foot versus $14.76 to $19.95 for pavers, but it needs a reseal every few years at $1.01 to $2.06 per square foot and softens in San Diego sun. Pavers cost three to four times more, last decades, and a single damaged paver can be lifted and replaced. Most San Diego homeowners choose pavers for the front and asphalt for long rural drives.
Do I need a permit to pave my driveway in San Diego?
Replacing a driveway on your own lot with the same footprint usually does not need a building permit in the City of San Diego, but any work in the public right-of-way, such as the driveway apron, curb cut or sidewalk, needs a right-of-way permit, and widening the approach always does. Cities in the county differ and some HOAs restrict materials and colors, so confirm with your city and HOA before the crew arrives.