Inside London's Driveway Paving Market - Real August 2026 Prices

$14,500 CAD. That's what some London homeowners paid for driveway paving this year. If that number makes you want to stick with your gravel and weeds, don't worry. Most people in the Forest City aren't spending that much. The average cost for driveway paving in London right now is $5,932 CAD, with most projects landing somewhere between $3,200 and $14,500 CAD. We've seen prices jump by 9.9% since last year, so if you've been sitting on the fence, your wallet is likely feeling the squeeze. London's market is tighter than it used to be, and finding a crew that isn't booked through the autumn can be a challenge.

What Affects the Cost?

Figuring out why one neighbor paid five grand while another paid twelve comes down to a few London-specific factors. First, the size of your lot matters. If you live in an older neighborhood like Old North, you might have a long, narrow "mutual" driveway shared with a neighbor. These require more precision and manual labor because big paving machines can't always fit.

Material choice is the biggest price mover. Standard hot-mix asphalt is the go-to for most of us, but if you're looking at interlocking pavers or stamped concrete to match the aesthetic of a newer build in Byron or Sunningdale, your costs will skyrocket.

The London labor market is also a major player. Right now, in August 2026, specialized paving crews are in high demand. We're seeing a shortage of experienced rollers and rakers, which pushes up the hourly rate.

Don't forget about the City of London's specific rules. If you're widening your driveway, you need to deal with the "Driveway Widening" permit process through the city's Planning and Development department. They are strict about "curb cuts" - the part where your driveway meets the street. If you mess with the city's boulevard or a municipal tree, you'll face fines that make a $14,000 driveway look like a bargain.

Finally, there’s the "August rush." Everyone wants their driveway done before the school year starts and the Southwestern Ontario frost hits. If you book during this peak window, you’ll pay a premium compared to someone who locked in a contract back in April.

How Much Does Driveway Paving Cost in London?

When you look at the $5,932 CAD average, you're usually looking at a standard two-car driveway using asphalt. This price typically includes the "rip and re-pave" - tearing out the old, cracked surface, re-grading the base with fresh gravel, and laying down about two inches of compacted asphalt.

On the budget end, around $3,200 CAD, you’re likely looking at a simple resurfacing or a very small single-car pad. This is common in areas like Ealing or parts of Argyle where lots are more compact. You aren't getting a deep base excavation for this price; it’s more of a "facelift" for a driveway that is structurally sound but looks ugly.

On the high end, that $14,500 CAD figure usually involves premium materials like pavers or a massive triple-car driveway with a turnaround. If your property has a steep slope - common in the hilly parts of Westmount - the extra engineering and drainage work required will quickly push you toward the top of that range.

How to Save Money on Driveway Paving

If you want to keep costs down, timing is everything. While August is the busiest time, the best season to actually book your project is early spring. Contractors are looking to fill their summer schedules and are often more willing to negotiate in March or April.

Another tip: talk to your neighbors. In London’s tight-knit crescents, paving companies love doing three or four houses on the same street back-to-back. It saves them the cost of moving heavy equipment like the paver and the vibratory roller back and forth. Ask for a "street discount" if three of you sign at once.

Don't bother with "gypsy pavers" who knock on your door saying they have leftover asphalt from a job down the road. This is a classic Southwestern Ontario scam. That asphalt is usually cold and won't bond properly. You'll save money today and pay double next year when it crumbles. Stick with established local names like London Paving or any contractor who can show you a valid City of London business license.

You can also save by doing the prep work yourself. If you have a sledgehammer and a weekend, removing old concrete borders or clearing away overgrown sod can shave a few hundred dollars off the labor bill. Just make sure you don't hit the gas line.

How London Compares to Other Canadian Cities

London sits in a bit of a "high-cost bubble" compared to some of its neighbors. Our average of $5,932 CAD is significantly higher than Windsor, where the average sits at $5,693 CAD. This is partly due to London’s stricter municipal requirements for drainage and boulevard protection.

If you look further east, Oshawa is much cheaper at an average of $4,831 CAD. Why? Oshawa has a higher density of paving companies competing for work in the GTA periphery. Out east in St. John's, the average is even lower at $4,545 CAD, though their material costs for bitumen can fluctuate wildly based on shipping.

On the other hand, if you think we have it rough, look at Kelowna. Homeowners there are paying an average of $7,360 CAD. The mountainous terrain and different soil compositions in BC make paving a much more technical - and expensive - endeavour than our relatively flat Ontario clay. Locally, we are slightly more expensive than Barrie ($5,449 CAD), likely because London’s 9.9% year-over-year price hike has outpaced most of the province.

Is 2026 a Good Time for Driveway Paving in London?

Honestly? It's a tough year. That 9.9% jump in costs is one of the highest we’ve seen in a decade. Fuel prices for the trucks and the petroleum-based products used in asphalt aren't getting any cheaper. However, waiting until 2027 might not help. With the way inflation is hitting the construction sector, today’s "expensive" price is usually tomorrow’s "steal."

If your driveway is currently a series of potholes that are threatening your car's suspension, don't wait. Water is the enemy of your home's foundation, and a cracked driveway funnels that water right toward your basement. Get quotes now while the weather is still holding. The window for perfect paving weather in London usually slams shut by late October when the ground gets too cold for the asphalt to set correctly.

Check the latest driveway paving costs for London and other cities on LookupCost.com.