How Much Does It Cost to Pave a Parking Lot in New Jersey (2025 Guide)

If you own or manage a commercial property in New Jersey, maintaining your parking lot is essential for safety, curb appeal, and long-term durability. One of the most common questions property owners ask is: How much does it cost to pave a parking lot in NJ?

To pave a commercial parking lot in New Jersey usually costs $2.00 - $7.00 per square foot.  In this guide, we’ll break down the average costs for parking lot paving in New Jersey and key considerations that impact pricing. 

Many factors influence price, such as:

• The size of the parking lot (How many square feet)
• Site visits 
• Work Days
• Scope of Work
• What (if required) preparation work is needed before paving 

We’ll dive into these points (and others) below.

And just so you’re aware, FixAsphalt.com has been in commercial paving and parking lot maintenance since 2001. We quote asphalt, concrete, pavement repair and pavement asphalt seal coating projects daily, so all of this info is from real projects quoted in 2024-2025.

NOTE: This article has been read, edited, and approved for publishing by Steven Brahney, who has 30+ years of asphalt experience maintaining and reconstructing asphalt parking lots for commercial properties in every state on the East Coast.

Let’s get started!

Average Cost to Pave a Parking Lot in NJ

In New Jersey, the cost to pave a commercial parking lot typically ranges from $2.00 to $7.00 per square foot, depending on the project's complexity. Here’s a general pricing breakdown:

Cost per Square Foot in NJ

• Asphalt Paving (New Construction): $3.50 – $7.00 per sq. ft.
• Asphalt Overlay (Resurfacing): $2.00 – $4.00 per sq. ft.
• Milling & Repaving: $2.50 – $6.00 per sq. ft.

If your parking lot only requires resurfacing (a new layer of asphalt over existing pavement), the cost will be on the lower end. However, if full-depth reconstruction is necessary, expect to pay more.

Factors That Influence Parking Lot Paving Costs in NJ

Several factors affect the cost of paving a parking lot in New Jersey, including:

1. Size of the Parking Lot

Although paving a larger parking lot incurs a higher total cost, the cost per square foot is reduced due to economies of scale. For example, a paving crew capable of covering 50,000 square feet in a day will face a higher per-square-foot cost if tasked with a 10,000 square foot lot. This is because the crew's capacity is underutilized, leading to increased costs to cover overhead, labor, equipment, and profit for the day. While a contractor might attempt to schedule two smaller lots in one day, logistical challenges and the need to transport equipment can make this difficult.  If you have multiple commercial properties you own/manage of varying sizes, it's not common for a New Jersey asphalt paving contractor to give you the same square foot price for a 15,000 square foot office building in Freehold, New Jersey as they would on a 125,000 square foot warehouse in Piscataway, New Jersey.  

2. Site Visits

If a paving contractor has a 50,000 square foot parking lot that can be paved in an 8-hour day but the property is a small strip mall in Edison, New Jersey and is very busy, the project will have to be paved over the course of 2-days so each section can be paved, striped, concrete bumper blocks re-installed etc. before the second section can be started.  In this instance, the project will incur a second mobilization cost of typically $7,000-$20,000.00 to re-mobilize the milling and paving equipment.   

On the flip side, if the parking lot is 200,000 square feet and the paving crew has a production capacity of 50,000 square feet per day, the project itis automatically split into 4 mobilizations and should not incur any additional costs as the contractor has their daily production costs covered in their paving quote. 

Every paving proposal should clearly outline the number of mobilizations or site visits included in the asphalt paving costs. If this information is missing, ensure the contractor provides it in writing to avoid misunderstandings once the project begins. It's common for a paving contractor to have one scheduling expectation while the property owner or manager has another. Discussing these details before signing the proposal (rather than the day before paving, or worse, on the day itself) helps prevent scheduling delays.

3. Work Days

The days a parking lot can be worked on can affect the pricing.  Apshalt plant's normal working hours are from 6:00 AM - 3:30 PM Monday - Friday.  The plants also can operate overnight and on weekends, However, there is a cost to open the asphalt plant outside of "normal working hours."   This cost can range from $1,500.00 - $5,000.00 depending on the plant, the days and, if the plant personnel are union or open shop.   This additional fee is referred to as a "plant opening charge." 

Can the parking lot be paved Monday - Friday from 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM?  Or does it have to be paved overnight or on a Saturday or Sunday?

In addition to the plan opening charge, paving outside normal working hours of the asphalt plant can also incur additional crew costs for overtime in addition to the asphalt plant opening charge.  These can range from $2,500.00 - $10,000.00

4. Scope Of Work

What is the scope of work?

Asphalt Paving while, a generic term, has several different scopes of work.  It's important to understand each one to make sure the scope of work being proposed is the correct one for your New Jersey parking lot.

• Asphalt overlay (sometimes called resurfacing): In this scope of work, the existing asphalt is overlaid with 1.5 - 2" of new hot mix asphalt.  Kayways are milled at the limits of construction (ie: entrance/exits, where asphalt meets concrete curb ramps, garage doors, concrete aprons etc.)
• Milling & Paving: In this scope, the existing asphalt is partially or completely milled to a depth of 1" - 2" prior to, new hot mix asphalt being installed.
• New Construction: In this scope, a new parking lot is built from the ground up including: grading, installing stone base, base layer of asphalt and surface layer of asphalt
  
  

5. Preparation That May Be Required Before Paving:

Below is a list of services that may be required to be performed prior to asphalt paving:

• Base Repairs: If the asphalt is showing signs of instability and vertical movement under heavy loads, this signals the stone base under the asphalt has to be replaced.  Paving over these areas will result in a defective paving project.  
• Removal Of Heavy Alligatored Asphalt: If you have areas of heavy alligatoring, these sections should be milled full depth to the base, the base stone inspected, and new base asphalt installed, prior to repaving.
  
  
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• Inspection For Extensive Cracking: If the asphalt shows signs of extensive cracking PetroMat paving fabric should be installed prior to repaving to delay reflective cracking.  Failure to do so will result in the existing cracks reflecting up through the new asphalt within 2 years.
  
  
  
  
• ADA Upgrades: If the existing ADA parking stalls, path of travel, slopes/grades, traffic signs, curb ramps, etc. are not compliant with the 2012 revisions to the Americans With Disabilites Act (ADA) these are best corrected, prior to and during paving to prevent receiving a summons/lawsuit
  
  
  
  
• Concrete Repairs: It's best to make any curbing, apron or sidewalk repairs prior to paving.  Making these repairs after paving will result in damage to the new asphalt from the use of heavy equipment, concrete spills, hydraulic and oil leaks in equipment/concrete trucks, damage from dumpsters loaded with broken concrete and not having a seamless and watertight transition between the asphalt and concrete.
  
  
  
  
• Drainage Correction: Underground water will resurface within a few days to a few weeks after paving.  Underground water issues are best corrected prior to repaving.
  
  

Additional Parking Lot Costs in NJ

Beyond paving, there are other expenses to consider after paving:

• Sealcoating (recommended 1 year after paving and then every 3 years thereafter): $0.22 – $0.35 per sq. ft.
• Crack Filling (to prevent water infiltration.  You should begin a bi-annual inspection program 2-years after paving and crack seal any cracks prior to winter and in the spring ): $1.00 – $2.00 per linear foot.
• Parking Lot Restriping: $0.02 - $0.05 per square foot for all markings
  
  

How to Get the Best Project For Parking Lot Paving in NJ

To ensure you get the best value when paving your parking lot, follow these steps:

1. Scope Of Work – Work with a paving contractor who will meet with you, review your project, and then propose a solid scope of work that best works for your budget and scope of work.  Avoid contractors who are "pushy" and try to get you to sign a contract on the spot or play the shell game with pricing.
2. Check References & Past Work – Ensure the contractor has experience with commercial parking lots and they aren't a driveway paving contractor.
3. Ask About Warranties – A reputable paving company should offer a 1-5 year warranty.
4. Plan for Regular Maintenance – Routine sealcoating and crack filling extend asphalt lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How long does it take to pave a parking lot?

Most parking lots can be paved within 1-3 days, depending on size and complexity. However, additional time is needed for curing and striping.

2. Can you pave over an old parking lot?

Yes, if the existing asphalt is in decent condition, an overlay (resurfacing) can be done, which is more cost-effective than full replacement.

3. How long does asphalt last in a commercial parking lot?

With proper maintenance, an asphalt parking lot in NJ can last 15-25 years. Regular sealcoating and crack filling will extend its lifespan.

4. Is asphalt or concrete better for a parking lot in NJ?

Asphalt is more cost-effective and performs well in NJ’s freeze-thaw climate. Concrete is more durable but costs significantly more.

5. What permits are needed for parking lot paving in NJ?

Most municipalities in New Jersey do not require permits for asphalt paving. The exception is Bergen County, New Jersey that requires a permit in some municipalities for projects as small as pothole repairs to repaving. Always check local regulations before starting a project.

Get a Free Quote for Parking Lot Paving in NJ

At FixAsphalt.com, we specialize in commercial parking lot paving, asphalt resurfacing, and maintenance throughout New Jersey. Whether you need a new parking lot or simple repairs, we provide expert solutions tailored to your budget.

📞 Call 1-877-349-2774 or visit www.fixasphalt.com to schedule a consultation today!