Asphalt vs. Concrete: A Comparative Guide

Learning the differences between concrete and asphalt can help you understand which driveway material will most likely fit your lifestyle and budget. A driveway upgrade can enhance your home’s curb appeal and improve your property’s function. If you’re preparing for this landscape upgrade, you may find yourself torn between which driveway material type is best.

Asphalt and concrete driveways are always popular choices among homeowners. They are both attractive and durable but have different aesthetics and maintenance requirements. Read on for a detailed comparison of concrete and asphalt’s composition, cost, durability, and maintenance requirements.

Differences Between Asphalt and Concrete

Asphalt and concrete driveways both boast smooth surfaces that handle pressure from vehicles. However, they’re composed of different materials, which affects installation, durability, and climate sensitivity.

Composition of Asphalt

Asphalt is composed of stone, sand, and petroleum. The mixture is heated to make it soft and flexible enough to roll onto your driveway’s surface. A subbase of crushed rock, concrete, or other material is applied to your driveway’s surface during installation, followed by a binder layer before the surface asphalt is laid.

Asphalt pavement is laid and spread onto your driveway with an asphalt paver. Rollers are then used for compacting. As it cools, it creates a solid driveway. Asphalt dries quickly. You can walk on it, if necessary, as early as 24 hours after pouring. However, it takes up to 72 hours to fully dry, and professionals recommend waiting this long before using.

On a This Old House project at a historic 1720s home, the crew dug up all the old asphalt and hauled it to a recycling plant before preparing the new subbase. Roger’s prep work included relocating the driveway about three feet from the house to accommodate a new foundation — a reminder that proper planning and subbase preparation are just as important as the asphalt itself. After installation, the crew waited six weeks for the driveway to cure before applying a rustic finish that better suited the home’s colonial character.

Composition of Concrete

Concrete is composed of gravel, cement, and sand. The mixture is poured into forms, spread out with hand tools, and left to cure into a hard, strong surface. Concrete driveways also require a subbase of crushed aggregate. Once the subbase is laid, forms are placed around the driveway’s edges, and a grid of reinforcing steel is installed before the concrete is poured. 

Wet concrete is delivered and quickly poured into the forms. A finishing crew then smooths the surface and places expansion joints using a combination of hand and power tools. Then, the crew “floats” the surface for optimal smoothness. Concrete undergoes a chemical process called curing before it’s ready to use. It should be left to harden for at least 48 hours before introducing foot traffic and at least a week before driving.

Cost Comparison: Asphalt vs. Concrete

Consider upfront material costs plus long-term driveway maintenance and repair when comparing asphalt versus concrete.  

Asphalt Driveway Cost

Professional paving companies use mechanical and hand tools to complete asphalt paving projects. The installation process requirements vary depending on your needs for existing driveway removal, grading requirements, driveway length, and complexity. Asphalt driveways also require regular maintenance, which adds to their cost over time. 

• Installation cost: Asphalt driveway materials cost $1–$5 per square foot and $7–$15 per square foot if you include labor.* (This doesn’t include the cost of existing driveway removal or grading work.)
• Maintenance costs: You should schedule professional resealing every three to five years, which has an average cost of $420.
• Repair costs: The average cost of asphalt driveway repair is around $750. The average cost of asphalt driveway repair is around $750. Common repair costs include crack repair for $100–$400, pothole repair for $150–$400, grass growth repair for $150–$550, and repairs for crumbling asphalt for $300–$1,500.

Concrete Driveway Cost

An experienced do-it-yourselfer can install a concrete driveway with the right tools and knowledge. However, it’s usually a job best left to professional paving companies. The cost of concrete driveway installation depends on your needs for existing driveway removal, grading requirements, and driveway length. Concrete driveways have a higher initial cost but typically require less maintenance, helping you save money over time. 

• Installation cost: The national average cost for a concrete driveway is between $3,460 and $6,910.
• Maintenance costs: You should reseal it every three to five years at a cost of $1–$2 per square foot, depending on the sealant.
• Repair costs: The average cost of a concrete driveway repair is $1,250. Common repairs include crack repair for $1.75–$2.50 per square foot, sunken apron repair for $1.10–$1.40 per square foot, crumbling repair for $1.75–$2 per square foot, and expansion joint repair for $1.75–$3.50 per square foot. Concrete repairs that extend beyond small cracks often require concrete slab replacement, which costs $4–$8 per square foot.

*All cost data in this section via Fixr.

Durability of Asphalt and Concrete

Both asphalt and concrete driveways are designed to last for decades. Concrete typically has a longer life span, but factors such as climate and proper maintenance can impact the longevity of both materials. 

Asphalt is flexible even after it’s fully dry, making it less prone to cracking due to temperature changes. It has a lifespan of 20–30 years, but asphalt’s longevity depends on several factors. For example, asphalt can soften and degrade in hot climates, and water can accumulate beneath asphalt and weaken it in humid and especially wet climates. Quickly sealing and repairing any damage that occurs is crucial for maximizing the life of the asphalt. You should also reseal it annually and resurface it every three to five years to help reduce breakage and cracks.

Concrete is highly durable and can withstand heavy loads. Concrete can last for 50 years with minimal maintenance. However, climate and pressure can affect it, potentially reducing its lifespan. For instance, concrete is prone to cracking during freeze-thaw cycles, UV damage can shorten its life span, and road salt and chemical deicers can damage its surface. Cleaning it regularly and removing all dirt and debris can help prolong its life.

Maintenance Requirements for Asphalt and Concrete Driveways

Asphalt generally requires more frequent repairs, and concrete repair is more complex. Both require regular maintenance.

Asphalt’s dark color hides oil, stains, and rust, reducing cleaning requirements. However, it’s a softer material that requires routine maintenance for durability and strength. You should reseal asphalt every three to five years, and when cracks or damage occur, schedule repairs immediately. You can often complete repairs yourself unless they’re large or severe. 

Concrete is lighter in color and requires routine pressure washing or cleaning to avoid dark stains. Most concrete surfaces have a sealant, which you should reapply every two to three years. You should also repair cracks or breakages immediately to prevent environmental factors from worsening the damage. You can repair small cracks on your own, but a paving professional should repair large cracks and substantial damage.

Weather Resistance: Asphalt vs. Concrete

In the most basic sense, concrete is better suited to heat resistance than asphalt. However, the nuances of paving materials make both susceptible to weather damage. Below is what you need to know about each material’s weather resistance.

Asphalt Weather Resistance

• Asphalt can soften in extremely hot weather.
• Asphalt driveways can get too hot for walking or playing on during the summer months.
• Asphalt’s flexibility makes it better at withstanding expansion and contraction without cracks or major damage.
• Extremely wet climates can lead to puddles on asphalt and water collecting under the surface, which causes faster deterioration. 
• Moisture can freeze in asphalt cracks and make them worse.

Concrete Weather Resistance

• Concrete driveways are minimally affected by hot weather, and their light color prevents them from getting too hot for use. 
• Concrete can become slippery in wet, snowy, or icy weather conditions if it isn’t properly maintained.
• Extreme temperature changes can cause heaving and cracks in concrete driveways.

Aesthetic Appeal of Asphalt and Concrete

Your driveway’s appearance is one of the first things people notice about your home’s exterior aesthetics.

Asphalt is known for its sleek black surface. The dark color hides imperfections, dirt, and stains, keeping your driveway aesthetically pleasing with minimal effort. However, the dark appearance fades over time, and there are few customization options for asphalt driveways. 

Concrete can be stained, stamped, engraved, or tinted to create different finishes. Concrete is often colored and textured to mimic the appearance of natural materials like stone or brick. However, concrete’s lighter appearance and porous qualities make it more susceptible to stains and dirt buildup. Property owners should prepare to conduct routine cleaning.

Our Conclusion

Asphalt and concrete have several things in common, but their differences can impact how you enjoy their performance. Concrete usually performs better in hot temperatures, and asphalt performs better in cold climates. However, this also depends on whether you perform the correct amount of maintenance.  

Determining whether concrete or asphalt is the best choice for your driveway depends on your preferences, lifestyle, and budget. Understanding the qualities of both materials can also help you make an informed choice about a driveway that will enhance your property for decades.

FAQs About Asphalt vs. Concrete