Asphalt driveway cost in Kent, Auburn, Covington and Black Diamond (2026):
prep, paving and city rules
HOW MUCH DOES AN ASPHALT DRIVEWAY COST NEAR KENT AND AUBURN?
Angi puts a typical asphalt driveway in the Seattle area at $3,298 to $8,603, with an average of $5,933. Angi doesn't publish separate figures for Kent, Auburn, Covington or Black Diamond. By the square foot, Angi lists $7 to $13 for a new driveway, $8 to $15 to replace an old one and $3 to $7 for an overlay. Grading, tree removal and sales tax come on top.
Asphalt driveway cost
| Seattle area (Angi) | Reported cost |
|---|---|
| Typical range | $3,298–$8,603 |
| Average | $5,933 |
| Low end / high end | $1,700 / $16,000 |
| National average (11,170 projects) | $5,353 |
| Project | Per square foot | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| New driveway | $7–$13 | $2–$6 materials, $5–$7 labor |
| Replacement | $8–$15 | Includes $1–$2 to remove the old surface |
| Overlay (new top layer) | $3–$7 | Only if the old driveway is structurally sound |
| Recycled asphalt | $6.20–$8.75 | Installed |
| Stamped or colored | $10–$17 | Decorative finish |
- Overlay vs replacement. Angi says an overlay only works when the existing driveway is sound. Widespread holes or "spiderweb" cracks mean a full replacement is the better path.
- Asphalt over concrete. Angi lists $3 to $7 per square foot, but warns it doesn't last as long as a new driveway because the concrete underneath moves and cracks the top coat.
Preparing the site: what adds cost
| Prep work | Reported cost |
|---|---|
| Grading and leveling | $5–$10 per sq ft extra |
| Tree and bush removal | $1,500–$5,100 |
| Removing an old surface | $1–$2 per sq ft |
| Sealing | About 6 months after paving, then every 3–5 years |
A long driveway from the street to a house set back on a large lot costs more mainly because of its size. Use the per-square-foot figures above with your own measurements. If trees need to come out, see tree removal cost in Seattle for prices by height.
Example: what different driveways cost
| Driveway | New, at $7–$13 per sq ft | Replacement, at $8–$15 per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft (short, one car) | $1,400–$2,600 | $1,600–$3,000 |
| 600 sq ft (two cars) | $4,200–$7,800 | $4,800–$9,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft (long driveway) | $7,000–$13,000 | $8,000–$15,000 |
Sales tax by city
| City | Combined rate | Tax on a $6,000 job |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn (King County part) | 10.50% | $630 |
| Kent | 10.40% | $624 |
| Covington | 9.30% | $558 |
| Black Diamond | 9.00% | $540 |
Washington taxes paving work for a homeowner on the whole contract, labor included. The rate is set by where the house is, not where the contractor's office is. Details: sales tax on home repairs.
City rules for the part at the street
The curb cut, sidewalk and planting strip at the street are usually public right-of-way, not part of your lot. Each city has its own rules for work there:
- Kent: Kent City Code 6.07 treats the driveway through the curb as part of the public place, and breaking the pavement of a public place counts as a "use" that needs a street use permit. The code exempts additions, alterations and repairs to a single-family home from a separate permit, but doesn't say how that applies to driveway work. Ask Kent's permit center before work at the street.
- Covington: The right-of-way permit requirement in CMC 12.35.020 doesn't apply to driveway connections to City streets, but a driveway connection must meet the City's street standards (CMC 12.35.080). Ask the City which standards apply.
- Auburn: Auburn issues right-of-way use permits (ACC 12.60), but the code we read doesn't mention driveways directly. Ask the City's engineering office.
- Black Diamond: we didn't find Black Diamond's driveway rules online. Ask the City before work near the street.
Before you sign
- Get the size in square feet, the base depth and the asphalt thickness in writing, so quotes can be compared.
- Ask whether grading, removal of the old surface and hauling are included.
- Ask who handles any city permit for the approach at the street.
- Check the contractor on L&I's Verify a Contractor tool. If the job goes wrong, see how a contractor bond claim works.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an asphalt driveway cost in Kent or Auburn?
Angi doesn't publish Kent or Auburn figures. Its Seattle-area range is $3,298 to $8,603, with an average of $5,933, and its per-square-foot figure for a new driveway is $7 to $13. Sales tax is 10.40% in Kent and 10.50% in the King County part of Auburn.
How much does it cost to replace an asphalt driveway?
Angi lists $8 to $15 per square foot, which includes $1 to $2 per square foot to remove the old surface. For a 600 square foot driveway, that's about $4,800 to $9,000 before tax.
Is an asphalt overlay cheaper than a new driveway?
Yes: Angi lists $3 to $7 per square foot for an overlay. It only works when the old driveway is structurally sound; widespread holes or spiderweb cracks call for a full replacement.
Do I need a permit for a driveway in Kent?
Work in the public right-of-way, such as the curb cut at the street, falls under Kent City Code 6.07, which requires a street use permit to break the pavement of a public place. Ask Kent's permit center which permit your project needs.
How much does site preparation add?
Angi lists grading and leveling at $5 to $10 per square foot extra and tree and bush removal at $1,500 to $5,100. Steeper driveways need more preparation.
Other outdoor work: exterior and yard cost guides, including sidewalk repair.
Sources
- Angi — How Much Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost? (updated October 14, 2026)
- Washington Department of Revenue — Local sales and use tax rates by county, Quarter 3 2026 and Covington rate change, July 1, 2026
- Kent City Code, Chapter 6.07 — Street use permits
- Covington Municipal Code, Chapter 12.35 — Right-of-way use and Auburn City Code 12.60.020
- Washington Department of Revenue — Custom construction; L&I — Hiring a contractor
All sources accessed November 8, 2026.
This guide summarizes published cost estimates and city codes. It is not legal advice. Confirm permit requirements with your city before work starts, and get written quotes from licensed, bonded contractors. See our disclosure and disclaimer.