Quick answer: what a driveway costs in Vancouver and Burnaby
A new asphalt driveway in Vancouver or Burnaby typically costs about $4 to $7 per square foot, or roughly $3,200 to $5,600 for a standard job, according to HomeStars’ Vancouver cost guide. Plain concrete runs higher, and decorative concrete costs $12 to $25 per square foot. Removal, base repair, slope and drainage work add to the total.
Those figures are a starting point, not a quote. The rest of this guide explains where the money goes, what changes the price on a Vancouver or Burnaby lot, and how to compare estimates so you know you’re paying for a driveway that lasts.
2026 driveway cost table for Metro Vancouver
The table below combines public price ranges for the Vancouver market with the decorative concrete prices published on our custom concrete driveway page. Every price is per square foot of finished surface unless noted.
| Driveway or service | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New asphalt driveway | $4–$7 per sq ft | HomeStars Vancouver paving cost guide |
| Typical asphalt driveway job | $3,200–$5,600 | HomeStars Vancouver paving cost guide |
| Plain (broom-finish) concrete driveway | $8–$14 per sq ft (paving guide); $12–$16 per sq ft (concrete guide) | HomeStars Vancouver cost guides |
| Exposed aggregate concrete | $13–$18 per sq ft | Bortolo and Sons published prices |
| Stamped concrete | $16–$25 per sq ft | Bortolo and Sons published prices |
| Coloured concrete | $12–$25 per sq ft | Bortolo and Sons published prices |
| Stamped asphalt | $12–$16 per sq ft | Bortolo and Sons published prices |
| Colour added to asphalt | $1–$6 per sq ft | Bortolo and Sons published prices |
| Interlocking pavers | $12–$20 per sq ft | HomeStars Vancouver paving cost guide |
| Asphalt sealing | $0.95–$1.85 per sq ft | HomeStars Vancouver paving cost guide |
| Crack or pothole repair | $12–$25 per sq ft of repair | HomeStars Vancouver paving cost guide |
| Excavation and slope grading | $2.25–$5.50 per sq ft | HomeStars Vancouver paving cost guide |
You can read the full public breakdown in the HomeStars Vancouver paving contractor cost guide. Two HomeStars guides are listed above because the paving guide and the concrete guide give slightly different ranges for plain concrete; both are shown so you can see the spread.
What a typical driveway costs by size
Most people think in driveways, not square feet. Here is the same public data applied to three common sizes. These are simple multiplications of the ranges above, so treat them as a budgeting guide only. They do not include removal of an old driveway, base repair or City work at the street.
| Driveway size | Asphalt ($4–$7/sq ft) | Plain concrete ($8–$14/sq ft) | Stamped concrete ($16–$25/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single car, about 300 sq ft | $1,200–$2,100 | $2,400–$4,200 | $4,800–$7,500 |
| Two cars, about 600 sq ft | $2,400–$4,200 | $4,800–$8,400 | $9,600–$15,000 |
| Large or long driveway, about 900 sq ft | $3,600–$6,300 | $7,200–$12,600 | $14,400–$22,500 |
If you are replacing an existing driveway, add the cost of removing and hauling away the old surface and rebuilding any soft base. On many Vancouver and Burnaby properties, that preparation is the single biggest variable in the price.
Cost by material
Asphalt driveways
Asphalt is the most economical way to pave a driveway in the Lower Mainland, and it goes in quickly: most residential driveways take two to three days, and you can usually drive on new asphalt within 24 to 48 hours. A well-built asphalt driveway typically lasts 15 to 20 years, especially if it is sealcoated every two to three years. See how we build them on our asphalt driveway paving page.
The price of asphalt rises when the base needs work, when the driveway is steep, or when access is tight and smaller equipment or more hand work is needed.
Plain concrete driveways
Broom-finish concrete costs more than asphalt up front but can last 30 years or more with proper care. It needs more time to cure before you drive on it, and repairs are harder to blend in. Concrete suits flat or gently sloped lots, and homeowners who want a lighter-coloured, low-maintenance surface. Learn more about concrete driveway installation.
Decorative concrete: stamped, exposed aggregate and coloured
Decorative finishes are where prices spread the most. Exposed aggregate, at $13 to $18 per square foot, gives a textured, slip-resistant surface that suits our wet climate. Stamped concrete, at $16 to $25 per square foot, imitates stone, slate or brick without the joints. Colour can be added to either. The final price depends on the pattern, number of colours, borders and how much detail is involved.
Pavers and asphalt add-ons
Interlocking pavers sit at about $12 to $20 per square foot in the HomeStars guide. If you like the look of stone but want to stay closer to an asphalt budget, stamped asphalt ($12 to $16 per square foot) or a coloured asphalt finish ($1 to $6 per square foot added) can be a middle ground on a driveway that is already in good condition.
New driveway vs replacement vs repair: how the cost changes
The same driveway can cost very different amounts depending on what is already there.
- Repair or resurfacing is the lowest-cost option when cracks are narrow and the driveway is still level. Patches are priced per square foot of repair, and sealcoating protects the surface afterwards. See driveway repair and resurfacing.
- Full replacement is needed when the driveway has sunk, has wide alligator cracking or holds water. You pay for removal and disposal, base rebuilding and the new surface. See asphalt driveway replacement or concrete driveway replacement.
- A brand-new driveway on a site with no existing paving may avoid removal costs but often needs more excavation and grading.
Resurfacing a driveway with a failed base is a false saving. The new surface looks good for a season, then the old cracks and dips come back. A good estimate will tell you plainly which option your driveway needs.
Eight things that change the price on a Vancouver or Burnaby lot
- Size and shape. Curves, flares and narrow sections take longer to pave or pour than a simple rectangle.
- Removal and disposal. Breaking out old concrete costs more than removing thin asphalt, and layered patches add material to haul away.
- The base. If the gravel base is soft, mixed with clay or has held water for years, it has to come out and be rebuilt. This is the part of the job that decides how long your driveway lasts.
- Slope. Steep driveways on Capitol Hill, Burnaby Mountain or Vancouver’s west side need careful grading. Very steep lots may need a retaining wall to hold the driveway edge.
- Drainage. Water is the main enemy of paving in the Lower Mainland. Trench drains, catch basins or regrading add cost but protect both the driveway and the house.
- The street crossing. Building a new driveway or widening one, including any change to the crossing over the sidewalk or boulevard, needs City approval. In Burnaby, the City asks for a site plan showing the driveway’s location, width and slope, and its drawing requirements list a street crossing of up to 19.7 ft or 40% of lot width. Start with the City of Burnaby driveway crossing page.
- Access. A wide driveway on a quiet street is easy to work on. A lane-access lot in East Vancouver or a property with a tight side yard may need smaller equipment and more hand work.
- Finish. Plain asphalt costs least, then broom-finish concrete, then exposed aggregate, coloured and stamped concrete.
Vancouver vs Burnaby: local cost differences
Vancouver
Many Vancouver homes have lane-access parking pads or rear garages, especially in East Vancouver, Kitsilano and Dunbar. Lane work often means tighter access and careful grading so water drains away from the garage and the lane. Mature trees in older neighbourhoods can also mean roots to deal with. In Vancouver, driveway crossings over City property are regulated under the City’s Crossing By-law, so check before you change where your driveway meets the street. See our Vancouver paving and concrete page for local details.
Burnaby
Burnaby has some of the widest variety of ground in the region. Steep streets on Burnaby Mountain and Capitol Hill call for strong edges and careful grading, while low, wet ground near Big Bend and the Fraser River puts the focus on the base and drainage. Burnaby’s drawing requirements also set maximum driveway slopes of 5% on the street portion, 10% at a lane and 15% inside the property to a garage, so very steep lots may need regrading before they can be paved. Our yard is at 7310 Union St, so Burnaby site visits are quick. See paving and concrete in Burnaby.
How to get an accurate driveway quote
Online calculators can’t see your base, your slope or your street crossing. A useful estimate comes from a site visit and should be in writing. When you compare quotes, check that each one includes:
- The total area and the finish, so you are comparing the same job
- Removal and disposal of the old surface
- Excavation depth and how the base will be built and compacted
- Drainage work, such as grading, drains or catch basins
- Any City approval for the street crossing, and who handles it
- Clean-up, the schedule and the payment terms
- The written warranty and what it covers
If one quote is much lower than the others, the difference is usually in the base or the drainage. Those are the parts you can’t see afterwards, and the parts that decide whether the driveway lasts 5 years or 20.
Ways to save without cutting corners
- Book early. May to September is the best paving weather in the Lower Mainland, and those dates fill up first. Getting estimates in late winter or early spring gives you time to compare and plan.
- Repair when you can. If the base is sound, repair and resurfacing cost far less than replacement.
- Keep it simple. A rectangular asphalt driveway with a concrete or stamped border at the entrance can give a finished look for less than a fully stamped driveway.
- Combine work. If you also need a walkway, patio or drainage fix, doing it at the same time saves a second mobilization.
- Maintain it. Sealcoating every two to three years and sealing cracks before the rainy season protect the investment.
- Never skip the base. It is the one place where saving money now costs more later.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an asphalt driveway cost per square foot in BC?
In the Vancouver area, HomeStars’ cost guide lists new asphalt at about $4 to $7 per square foot. The final price depends on removal of the old surface, the condition of the gravel base, slope, drainage and access. Steep, wet or hard-to-reach lots cost more, while simple, flat driveways with a sound base cost less.
Is concrete or asphalt cheaper in Vancouver?
Asphalt is cheaper to install. HomeStars lists asphalt at about $4 to $7 per square foot and plain concrete at about $8 to $14 or $12 to $16, depending on the guide. Concrete can last 30 years or more, against 15 to 20 for asphalt, so the cost per year of use is closer than the upfront price suggests.
How much does a stamped concrete driveway cost in Burnaby?
Bortolo and Sons publishes stamped concrete at $16 to $25 per square foot and exposed aggregate at $13 to $18 per square foot. For a two-car driveway of about 600 square feet, stamped concrete would work out to roughly $9,600 to $15,000 before removal, base work or City approvals. The exact price depends on pattern, colour and site conditions.
Does a driveway replacement need a permit in Burnaby or Vancouver?
Building a new driveway or widening one, including changes to the crossing over the sidewalk or boulevard, needs City approval. In Burnaby, the City asks for a site plan showing the driveway’s location, width and slope. In Vancouver, crossings are regulated under the City’s Crossing By-law. Ask your contractor to confirm what applies before work starts.
How long does a new driveway take to install?
Most residential driveways take two to three days, depending on size and how much removal and base work is needed. You can usually drive on new asphalt within 24 to 48 hours. Concrete needs longer to cure before it takes vehicle weight, so ask your contractor for the exact wait for your driveway.
Get a written estimate for your driveway
Bortolo and Sons Paving Co. Ltd. is a family-owned paving and concrete contractor based at 7310 Union St in Burnaby, paving Lower Mainland driveways since 1974. We are BBB A+ rated since 1994, licensed, insured and WCB covered, and eligible work carries a two-year warranty. If you want a firm price for your own driveway, request a free, no-obligation estimate and we’ll measure it, check the base and drainage, and explain your options in writing.
