A new driveway combines grading and base work (typically $1,500 to $6,000, see our driveway grading guide) with the material and surface installation itself, which varies widely by surface type: gravel is the cheapest option, interlocking pavers and asphalt sit in the middle, and stamped concrete is usually the most expensive per square foot. Treat every figure on this page as a starting point rather than a quote: the two pieces — base and surface — need to be planned together, not priced in isolation.
The two pieces need to be coordinated more closely than most homeowners expect. Base depth and compaction requirements differ meaningfully by surface type — a gravel driveway tolerates a thinner, more forgiving base than stamped concrete or pavers, which need a precisely engineered base to prevent cracking or heaving over time. It's worth confirming your material choice before grading begins rather than after, since a base built to gravel spec and later asked to support pavers or concrete is a real problem, not a minor adjustment.
What actually drives the price
Surface material is the biggest line item, and each option has real tradeoffs beyond upfront cost. Gravel is the least expensive to install and easiest to repair but needs periodic topping up as it compacts and migrates. Asphalt gives a smooth, uniform surface and moderate cost but needs resealing on a maintenance schedule. Interlocking pavers cost more upfront but individual pavers can be lifted and replaced if damaged, without redoing the whole surface. Stamped concrete offers the most design flexibility and highest upfront cost, and cracks, if they happen, are harder to repair invisibly than the other options.
Subgrade condition affects both stages of the project. A naturally well-draining, stable subgrade needs less base material and less correction before either grading or surfacing begins. Clay-heavy or poorly draining ground needs a thicker granular base and sometimes geotextile fabric to keep the base from working its way into the subgrade over time — skipping this on a difficult subgrade is a common source of driveways that look fine for a year or two and then develop soft spots or cracking.
Slope and drainage design have to be right before any surface goes down. The base grading stage is what establishes drainage away from the house and garage; a surface material, however well installed, cannot fix a drainage problem baked into the grade underneath it.
Sequencing the two contractors
If different contractors are handling grading and surface installation, confirm the handoff explicitly — base depth, compaction target, and finished grade all need to match what the surface installer expects, and a mismatch between the two stages is one of the most avoidable causes of driveway problems within the first few years.
A short checklist before you book
Decide on your surface material before grading begins, so the base is built to the correct spec. Confirm subgrade conditions and whether geotextile fabric is needed. Confirm the base grading establishes proper drainage away from structures. If using separate contractors for grading and surfacing, confirm the handoff specs match. Confirm whether your quote covers grading only, surfacing only, or the complete project.
Costs vary by site conditions. Use the ranges here to sanity-check what you're quoted, then get a direct price for your own property.
Submit Your Project — Free, Direct Access to Operators on Pro Operator Network. Need driveway material? See Gravel Driveway Material Types on Natural Stone Source Ontario.