The central trade-off in a garden path is simple: pay more upfront for decades of low-effort durability, or pay little now and spend your weekends weeding and raking. Brick and paver paths run $9 to $20 per square foot for materials and can last 25 to 40 years, while gravel costs as little as roughly a dollar per square foot but demands regular renewal. Concrete sits between them in cost, lasts 30 to 50 years, and suits high-traffic and accessibility needs. Here is how the three classics compare.
Brick and Pavers: Timeless Charm and Enduring Strength
Brick and pavers are the splurge option, and the price buys longevity. A well-installed paver or brick path lasts 25 to 40 years, according to landscaping cost data compiled by Amanda Shiffler at LawnStarter, with little upkeep beyond occasional power washing and replacing the joint sand that locks the pieces together.
The payoff is aesthetic. Shiffler describes the look as "pricey but gorgeous," with a wide range of materials, colors, and patterns to match your garden's style. Garden writer Alexandra Campbell notes brick is among the most expensive path options but can last "for decades – or even centuries," while a landscape comparison guide places brick and pavers squarely in the "classic, formal garden design" and "high-traffic, formal layouts" camps.
Know the downsides before committing. Installation is tedious, expensive, and labor-intensive — Shiffler warns that even a DIY effort can consume most of a weekend. Weeds can grow through the cracks between individual pieces, though that same modular construction lets the surface accommodate freeze-thaw cycles, and permeable paver systems let water seep in and reduce stormwater runoff.
