How Much Does Permeable Pavement Cost in 2024?
Highlights
The cost to install permeable paving for a two-car driveway (640 square feet) ranges from $5,000 to $12,000, averaging $7,500.
Permeable pavement allows water to drain into the ground rather than into sewer systems, eliminating the need for expensive drainage solutions.
The total cost depends on material type, square footage, labor, and maintenance expenses.
Permeable concrete and asphalt average between $6 and $15 per square foot, and permeable pavers cost between $8 and $40 per square foot.
Permeable pavement requires pressure washing, sweeping, resealing, and adding sand to prevent clogs from debris.
The permeable paving cost for a standard two-car driveway (640 square feet) averages $7,500 or between $5,000 and $12,000. Permeable concrete and asphalt both fall in the $6 to $15 per square foot range, with permeable pavers costing the most, or about $8 to $40 per square foot, depending on the type.
Permeable pavers, pervious concrete, and permeable asphalt are paving methods that allow water to drain through into the ground rather than into sewer systems, helping replenish groundwater and eliminating the need for expensive drainage solutions. Permeable pavers can also allow grass to grow in parking areas and walkways but with more support than bare earth or loose gravel.
Porous or permeable paving is slightly more expensive than traditional asphalt driveway costs; however, it offers enhanced durability and environmental benefits.
Average Permeable Pavement Cost
| Average Cost | High Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $7,500 | $12,000 | $5,000 |
Permeable Pavers Cost
Permeable pavers cost anywhere from $10 to $40 per square foot, but custom or high-end materials could cost more. Standard materials (such as brick, concrete, or stone) usually range between $10 and $30. This price is just for the materials (not labor).
Non-porous driveway pavers cost between $10 and $70 per square foot. Unlike permeable types, regular pavers don’t have a porous gravel underlayer or a porous design for added absorption.
Permeable Paving Cost by Type
Permeable paving costs more than typical paving styles, and most of that comes from the labor and equipment costs needed to get the job done correctly.
Porous asphalt costs about $60–$90 per ton for the materials.
Concrete costs $65–$85 per ton, not including the rebar reinforcement.
Porous pavers cost $5–$30 per square foot for just the materials, including gravel and sand.
Permeable Pavers
Permeable pavers cost anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 per 200 square feet or about $10 to $40 per square foot. For a full double-car driveway, you’ll pay $6,400 to $25,000. Pavers transform an ordinary driveway with eye-catching materials and design. They’re also environmentally friendly by providing better drainage. Contact a paver installer in your area to learn more about the benefits.
Pervious Concrete
Pervious concrete allows the quick absorption of water through the surface itself and into the ground below, removing the need for other types of storm drainage. Pervious concrete for a 640-square-foot driveway ranges from $3,000 to $12,000. A same-sized, regular concrete driveway costs about 10% to 20% less.
Porous Asphalt
Porous asphalt works exactly like porous concrete by letting water seep through it for drainage. The main difference is how it is applied, how quickly it’s applied, and its durability. Because it’s easier to put in, takes less time than concrete, is less costly to repair, and has lower material prices, porous asphalt costs $2,500 to $8,500 on average.
Permeable Driveway Costs
A standard driveway fits two cars and covers roughly 640 square feet. You’ll pay anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000 to build a driveway. Actual costs will vary quite a bit depending on where you live, the current cost of materials and labor, and the paving type you choose. Concrete and asphalt are typical and functional choices, while permeable pavers offer more design choices and grass-permeable applications.
| Type | Standard Driveway |
|---|---|
| Permeable Pavers | $6,000–$24,000 |
| Plastic Grass Pavers | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Porous Asphalt | $3,600–$7,200 |
| Concrete Grass Grid | $4,000–$8,000 |
| Porous Concrete | $4,800–$9,000 |
Additional Permeable Pavement Cost Factors
When installing permeable pavement, additional cost factors to consider include labor and ongoing maintenance costs.
Labor
The average labor cost to install permeable pavement is between $5 and $11 per square foot. The total price depends on the complexity of the job, the site preparation required, and the type of pavement being installed. Contact local driveway paver contractors to get an accurate quote for your job.
Permeable Paving Maintenance Costs
Pervious pavement costs $0.25 to $1 per square foot. This includes pressure washing, sweeping, resealing, and adding sand.
Concrete resurfacing costs $300–$700
Asphalt sealing costs $300–$800
Driveway sealing costs $85–$100 per 100 sq. ft.
Driveway pressure washing costs $100–$500
Budgeting for Permeable Pavement Installation
Installing permeable pavement on your property? Consider these tips to make the project more budget-friendly:
Opt for less costly materials, such as pervious concrete or permeable asphalt, instead of permeable pavers.
Choose a standard design instead of a custom design.
Compare prices from local contractors to find the best deal near you.
Do bi-annual maintenance yourself instead of hiring a third party.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper maintenance, permeable pavement can last for over 20 years. Bi-annual vacuuming prevents clogs from debris and sediment, extends the pavement’s lifespan, and helps you avoid costly driveway repairs. Permeable pavement often has a shorter lifespan in areas with heavy traffic or harsh weather conditions.
Pervious and porous usually refer to pouring asphalt or concrete—which is a single massive object—but with enough small holes to allow for even drainage. This is also sometimes called thirsty concrete. Permeable concrete pavers are precast concrete designed to also allow for drainage. Permeable grass pavers allow grass to grow through them and provide drainage.
Pervious, porous, and permeable pavers are similar because they make it easier for rain or snow to drain or absorb into the ground rather than overload the storm or sewer systems.
The most significant benefit of water-permeable pavement is that it helps precipitation absorb better (and slower) into the ground, which avoids overloading sewers and causing overflows and backups. It also helps recharge the groundwater and prevent agricultural runoff from lawns.
If you’ve ever seen water rushing into a storm drain, permeable pavement prevents that. Instead of water running off a steep driveway, a good amount of it “soaks” directly underneath the pavement.
Topmix permeable concrete costs $8 to $16 per square foot, including all installation costs. However, they give out estimates on a project-by-project basis. However, Tarmac, the company that made the product, no longer produces Topmix.
Ecoraster is a brand that offers many different permeable paving options in North America. Prices vary depending on the product and project. They’ll give estimates for each individual project. While not actual pavers, these grids serve a similar function. Ecoraster grids come in various styles and allow for similar drainage compared to permeable pavers or porous paving.
Permeable driveways may cost slightly more than a traditional paving type, but they reduce or eliminate the need to install any other type of drainage system. Drainage systems cost $2,000 to $6,500 to install. They also reduce stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, and help eliminate urban agriculture runoff, which can pollute waterways.
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