Asphalt driveway repair costs $2 to $5 per square foot for patching, and $0.50 to $3 per linear foot for crack filling.1,2 Typical single jobs run $100 to $800 depending on the method – but published “average job” figures disagree wildly: HomeGuide says $500, Forbes says $1,900, and Angi says $2,468 based on 3,521 verified projects.1,2,3 The spread mostly reflects how much damage each source assumes.*
$2 – $5
per sq ft patching
$0.50 – $3
per linear ft crack filling
$100 – $800
typical single job
Quick math: a 4 ft x 4 ft pothole area (16 sq ft) at the $2 to $5 hot-patch rate = $32 to $120 for the patch itself – which is why every source also notes a minimum service fee of $100 to $250.1 Small repairs are dominated by the trip charge, not the square footage.
Published prices at a glance
Three references, all fetched and read October 2026:
| Measure | HomeGuide1 | Angi2 | Forbes3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| National average repair | $500 | $2,468 (3,521 verified projects) | $1,900 |
| Typical job range | $250 – $800 | most pay $1,069 – $4,025 | $100 – $4,800 |
| Crack filling | $0.50 – $3 per linear ft | $1 – $3 per linear ft ($100 – $400 per driveway) | $100 – $350 per job |
| Pothole filling | $100 – $400 | – | $150 – $400 |
| Patching | cold $2 – $4 / hot $2 – $5 per sq ft | $100 – $500 per patch | $100 – $750 per patch |
| Minimum service fee | $100 – $250 | – | – |
One caution on the Angi figure: its page describes the $1,069 to $4,025 range as “per square foot,” which is clearly a labeling error for per-project – no asphalt repair costs $1,000+ per square foot. We report it as the project range it obviously is, but it is worth knowing the page says otherwise.
Cost by repair method
HomeGuide prices methods per square foot (with a $100 to $250 minimum service fee on all work):1
| Repair method | Cost per sq ft | Forbes per-patch range3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cold patch | $2 – $4 | $100 – $200 |
| Hot patch | $2 – $5 | $100 – $375 |
| Infrared | $2 – $6 | $100 – $275 |
| Saw cut and removal | $4 – $12 | $425 – $750 |
Angi’s per-patch numbers are similar: cold patches $100 to $200, hot patches up to $250, and specialized methods (saw cutting, infrared) up to $500 per patch.2 Forbes notes hot patches bond more durably than cold but typically last up to two years – patches are maintenance, not a permanent fix.3
Repair or replace?
The decision threshold is math, not vibes. Compare the repair quote against replacement using our asphalt driveway cost guide ($3 to $15 per sq ft depending on the reference). If repairs are catching up to a third or more of replacement cost on an old driveway, resurfacing or replacement usually wins – though none of the three sources we read publishes a firm rule, so treat that fraction as ours, not theirs. Sealing after repairs runs $110 to $1,500 (averaging $470 per Angi2; $200 to $600 per Forbes3) – see our sealcoating cost guide for the per-square-foot breakdown. If the whole surface is tired but the base is sound, see asphalt driveway resurfacing cost.
FAQ
How much does it cost to fill asphalt cracks? $0.50 to $3 per linear foot.1,2 Angi puts a full driveway’s crack filling at $100 to $400; Forbes says $100 to $350 per job.2,3
How much does pothole repair cost? $100 to $400 per pothole on HomeGuide and Forbes.1,3
Is it cheaper to repair or replace an asphalt driveway? Repair, almost always per job: even Angi’s $2,468 verified average is well under the $5,000+ most replacement references quote for a full driveway. But repeated patching on a failing driveway adds up – compare against our replacement cost guide.
How long does an asphalt patch last? Forbes says a hot patch typically lasts up to two years.3 We found no second source for a lifespan, so treat it as one outlet’s figure.
Sources
- HomeGuide – Asphalt Repair Cost
- Angi – Asphalt Driveway Repair Cost
- Forbes Home – Asphalt Driveway Repair Cost
*Prices are 2025-2026 national averages from the cited sources and vary by region, damage extent, and repair method. Get local quotes before budgeting.