Driveway Apron Paving in McLean, VA

Driveway Apron Services

Apron Replacement

Complete removal and replacement of a deteriorated apron section with new hot-mix asphalt or concrete. We assess whether the apron falls within the VDOT or county right-of-way and handle any permit coordination needed.

Apron Repair and Patching

For aprons with localized damage — cracking at the street joint, sunken sections, edge crumbling — targeted patching can restore the surface without full replacement. We square-cut and hot-mix patch damaged areas to match the surrounding surface.

Widening and Curb Cut Work

Widening a driveway at the street connection requires a curb cut permit in most Northern Virginia jurisdictions. McLean Asphalt coordinates with the appropriate county permitting office and installs the widened apron to spec.

Concrete to Asphalt Apron Transition

Some Northern Virginia homes have concrete aprons mandated by HOA or county requirements that must transition to asphalt at the property line. We install smooth asphalt-to-concrete transitions that eliminate the step or lip that causes trip hazards and driveway scraping.

Our Apron Installation Process

Apron work requires coordination with VDOT or the county. We manage the full process from permit application to final inspection.

1. Right-of-Way Assessment

We determine whether the apron sits within VDOT's right-of-way or a county-maintained roadway. This determines which permitting authority applies and whether an entrance permit is required before any work begins.

2. Permit Coordination

Where required, we submit a VDOT Land Use Permit application on your behalf and coordinate the required pre-work inspection. Most residential apron permits in Fairfax County are approved within 5–10 business days.

3. Apron Removal and Base Work

We saw-cut clean edges, remove the failing apron, and inspect the base. If the base has eroded or been damaged by thermal movement at the street joint, we repair it before installing new surface material.

4. Paving and Final Inspection

We install the new apron surface, slope it for proper drainage away from the roadway, and request the VDOT final inspection when required. We don't consider the job done until the inspector signs off.

When You Need a Permit for Your Driveway Apron

The permit requirement depends on who maintains the road your driveway connects to.

VDOT-Maintained Roads

Most public roads in Northern Virginia are VDOT-maintained. Apron replacement, widening, or any new curb cut requires a VDOT Land Use Permit. Call VDOT's Northern Virginia district at (703) 259-1773 to confirm requirements before starting work.

County-Maintained Roads

Fairfax and Loudoun counties maintain certain roads in their jurisdictions. These require a county right-of-way permit from the county's Land Development Services office rather than VDOT.

Private and HOA Roads

Some neighborhoods in Great Falls and McLean have private roads maintained by an HOA. No VDOT or county permit is required, but HOA approval may be needed. We help you determine which situation applies before we start.

Driveway Apron Replacement Cost in Northern Virginia

Apron cost is driven by width, material (concrete vs. asphalt), base preparation, ROW permit fees, and whether the curb cut needs to be modified. The table below covers the most common residential apron replacement scopes in Northern Virginia. Permit fees are in addition to installation costs.

Scope	Typical Cost	Notes
Concrete apron — single car (10–12 ft wide)	$1,800–$3,500	6" reinforced concrete, standard
Concrete apron — double car (18–22 ft wide)	$3,000–$5,500	6" reinforced concrete, standard
Asphalt apron — single car	$1,200–$2,500	4" asphalt over 4" base
Asphalt apron — double car	$2,000–$4,000	4" asphalt over 4" base
Apron + driveway transition repair	$800–$2,000	Height match, joint sealing
Curb cut modification (if needed)	$500–$1,500	Requires separate utility coordination
ROW permit fees — Fairfax County	$150–$350	Per-project, McLean Asphalt handles
ROW permit fees — Arlington County	$200–$450	Chapter 22 Excavation permit

Apron permit fees vary by jurisdiction and scope. McLean Asphalt handles all permit applications and coordinates ROW inspection scheduling. Final cost depends on material condition and curb configuration found on-site. Call 571-234-7040.

What Affects Driveway Apron Replacement Cost in Northern Virginia

Apron replacement cost is driven by three variables beyond just size: material choice (concrete vs. asphalt), permit requirements, and whether the curb cut needs modification. Concrete is the more common apron material in Northern Virginia — most municipalities specify concrete for ROW apron replacement because it's more durable under vehicle loads at the curb edge. Asphalt aprons are permitted in some jurisdictions but may have shorter lifespans at the curb transition point where vehicles turn across the edge.

Permit fees for apron replacement vary significantly by jurisdiction. Arlington County's Excavation ROW permit (Code Chapter 22) runs $200–$450 for a standard residential apron. Fairfax County's permit runs $150–$350. Incorporated towns — Herndon, Vienna, Falls Church, Leesburg — each have their own fee schedule. McLean Asphalt handles permit applications and inspection coordination for every apron replacement project; permit fees are included as a line item in our written proposals so there are no surprises.

One apron project that often gets overlooked: the transition between the private asphalt driveway and the concrete apron. Where the two surfaces meet, settlement differences and thermal movement can open a gap or create a height differential over time. At apron replacement, repairing this transition properly — with a correct expansion joint and grade match between asphalt and concrete — is essential to preventing the new apron from cracking at that junction within a few years. McLean Asphalt includes transition work in every apron replacement scope. Call 571-234-7040 for a free apron assessment.

Signs Your Driveway Apron Needs Repair or Replacement

Not sure if you need service now or can wait? Here are the signs that indicate it's time to call McLean Asphalt at 571-234-7040.

Visible Cracking or Spalling at the Curb Connection

The driveway apron — the section between the curb and the sidewalk (or curb and property line where no sidewalk exists) — is subject to heavy loads from vehicles crossing the curb at an angle. Cracks at the curb edge and spalling (surface flaking) at the apron are signs that the apron has been stressed beyond its capacity. Concrete aprons crack; asphalt aprons crack and rut at the curb edge. Both need repair or replacement when deterioration reaches this stage.

Height Differential Between Driveway and Apron

A step or height differential at the transition between private driveway and the public apron creates a bump that stresses vehicle suspensions and can be a pedestrian trip hazard. Height differences arise from settling, overlay height additions on the private side, or replacement of one element without the other. When the height differential exceeds 1–2 inches, a proper transition needs to be rebuilt.

Apron Drains Toward the Street but Sits Below Street Grade

A driveway apron that sits below street grade at the curb creates a drainage problem — water pools in the apron depression and washes base material out under the curb. McLean Asphalt designs proper apron grades during replacement to ensure water flows away from the property and off the curb cleanly.

Municipality Has Required Apron Repair

Many Northern Virginia jurisdictions conduct periodic inspections of private driveway aprons and issue repair notices when aprons fail. Fairfax County, Arlington County, and incorporated towns all have standards for apron condition and will issue notice-of-violation requiring repair within a set timeframe. McLean Asphalt handles code-compliant apron repair and replaces aprons to current jurisdiction specifications.

Driveway Apron FAQ

Do I need a permit to replace my driveway apron in Fairfax County?

In Fairfax County, work within the VDOT right-of-way — which includes most driveway aprons — requires a Land Use Permit from VDOT. This applies to apron replacement, widening, and any work that modifies the curb cut or gutter profile. In-kind replacement of the same footprint in the same material is sometimes exempt, but it depends on the specific location and street classification. We assess this during the free estimate visit.

Why does my driveway apron keep cracking at the street?

The joint between the driveway apron and the public street is one of the most crack-prone areas in any pavement system. The public street moves independently of your private driveway — the two structures are not bonded together, so thermal expansion and contraction create joint movement. This is normal and expected. The solution is to keep the joint sealed with flexible joint sealant, which we apply as part of apron work.

Can I widen my driveway at the street?

Yes, in most cases — but it requires a curb cut or driveway access permit from Fairfax County or VDOT. In residential areas on state-maintained roads (most roads in Fairfax County), VDOT issues the permit. On county-maintained roads (often within Reston, Burke Centre, and other HOA communities), the county or HOA issues the permit. McLean Asphalt manages this process as part of widening projects.

What is a driveway apron?

The driveway apron (also called the apron pad or driveway approach) is the section of pavement between the curb or edge of the road and the sidewalk — or, where no sidewalk exists, between the curb and the private property line. It's typically in the public right-of-way, meaning the county or municipality has standards for its construction and condition even though it's usually the homeowner's responsibility to maintain and repair.

Who is responsible for maintaining the driveway apron — the homeowner or the county?

In most Northern Virginia jurisdictions, the driveway apron within the public right-of-way is the homeowner's maintenance responsibility even though it's technically in the ROW. The county or municipality may set standards for apron materials and condition but does not maintain or replace private driveway aprons. When an apron fails, the homeowner is responsible for repair to the applicable jurisdiction's standards. McLean Asphalt handles the permit and construction for apron replacement projects.

What permits are required for driveway apron replacement in Northern Virginia?

An Excavation ROW permit is required for apron replacement in all Northern Virginia jurisdictions. In Arlington County, this is issued by Arlington County DPWES under Code Chapter 22. In Fairfax County, by DPWES. In incorporated towns (Herndon, Vienna, Leesburg, Falls Church), by the town's Public Works department. In DC, by DDOT. McLean Asphalt handles permit coordination and schedules the required ROW inspection as part of every apron replacement project.

How much does driveway apron replacement cost in Northern Virginia?

Concrete apron replacement in Northern Virginia runs $1,500–$4,000 for a standard single-car apron width (10–12 feet wide), depending on jurisdiction, depth, and materials. Wider two-car aprons run $2,500–$6,000. Asphalt apron replacement runs slightly less — $1,200–$3,500 for standard widths. Permit fees add $150–$500 depending on jurisdiction. McLean Asphalt provides written estimates including permit fees after an on-site measurement.

Free Apron Estimate

Why McLean Asphalt is the Best at Driveway Apron Paving