Gravel vs Asphalt Driveway: Which Should You Choose?
When considering a new driveway, choosing between a gravel or asphalt driveway presents a unique dilemma.
This decision requires cost considerations, usage, and practicality.
Gravel brings classic, rustic charm but needs frequent maintenance.
Sleek asphalt lasts years without touchups but carries a higher price tag.
By weighing the pros and cons, you’ll get a clearer picture of which is best for your application.
Whether you DIY or are looking to hire a pro, you’ll gain the insights needed to choose a material that fits your needs for years to come.
Pros and Cons Summary: Asphalt vs Gravel
Two of the more popular options for driveway materials are gravel and asphalt.
Here is a quick reference table summarizing the pros and cons of gravel vs asphalt driveways:
| Gravel Driveways | Asphalt Driveways | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Less expensive | More expensive |
| Installation | Easier for DIY | Professional installation recommended |
| Durability | Requires ongoing maintenance | Lasts 15-20 years without maintenance |
| Driving experience | Uneven, bumpy | Smooth driving |
| Aesthetic Appeal | Naturally complements landscape | Modern black surface |
| Environmental Impact | Made from all-natural stone | Petroleum-based asphalt |
| Ease of Repair | Can spot fill potholes | Must patch or resurface entire area |
To get a better understanding of the two options, read some brief descriptions of each along with pros and cons of each.
Cost Comparison
One of the biggest factors you need to weigh when planning driveway construction is cost.
Gravel uniformly costs less than asphalt in all regions, but the precise dollar amounts vary geographically.
According to HomeAdvisor’s True Cost Guide, the average homeowner spends between $1,608-$4,890 to install a new gravel driveway.
This covers materials, delivery, spreading, leveling and borders.
An equivalent-sized asphalt driveway ranges from $4,056 to $10,460 on average, making it 2-3 times pricier. Extensive site excavation and grading drive up expenses further.
In the certain areas, gravel driveway installation averages $2-6 per square foot, depending on base preparation.
Thanks to local material and labor costs, asphalt pricing averages $8-12 per square foot. Their price gap closes in regions with cheap aggregate access and low contractor demand. The climate also affects pricing—harsher winters or extreme heat waves make asphalt more appealing despite higher initial quotes.
Durability and Maintenance
When evaluating which type of driveway to choose, looking beyond just installation costs and considering long-term durability and maintenance needs is essential.
How often will repairs or upkeep be required?
What’s needed to extend the lifespan of each type of driveway?
Properly constructed asphalt driveways typically last 15-20 years before needing replacement.
Their longevity extends through crack sealing, patch repairs, seal coating, and resurfacing as needed. Still, seasonal cracks and sinkholes are inevitable as elements weather the asphalt.
Gravel driveways last indefinitely but require far more hands-on maintenance to retain their integrity.
This maintenance routine takes effort compared to “set it and forget it” asphalt.
The Lifespan of Gravel vs Asphalt
A properly excavated and installed asphalt driveway can easily stay intact for 15-20 years or longer before needing replacement.
High-quality asphalt mix and professional compacting prevent premature cracking or crumbling.
Proactive seal coating and localized repairs can extend an asphalt driveway’s life even further.
Maintaining a gravel surface requires far more hands-on effort than a paved driveway.
Even with border edging, the very nature of loose aggregate material means stones sink and scatter and need replenishing every few years.
Vegetation sprouting through adds to the maintenance workload over time.
What is a Gravel Driveway?
A gravel driveway is simply a layer of loose aggregate stone spread over an area and used for vehicle parking.
Small stones like crushed limestone, pea gravel, quarry stone, or river rock are typically used.
Many choose gravel because it is economical and efficient.
Unlike solid parking lot paving, which requires extensive construction labor, gravel’s composition makes installation as easy as delivering and spreading the rock materials.
Those are some of the reasons why these easy driveways have remained popular for years, thanks to affordability, price, and wide range of applications.
Here are a few types of gravel you might see used in driveways:
- Crushed limestone gravel – The most common option, made from machine-crushed stone.
- Pea gravel – Smaller stones and rock fragments that are naturally made smooth by rivers.
- 610 gravel and Crusher Run – A mix of crushed stone and stone dust.
- River Rocks –
What is an Asphalt Driveway?
Asphalt driveways are made from a mixture of asphalt cement and aggregate materials like sand and crushed stone.
Hot asphalt is poured across a compacted sub-base and then rolled smooth using heavy machinery.
As it cools, the asphalt hardens into a durable, seamless surface.
Laying asphalt is a multi-step process that usually requires professional paving contractors.
First a sub-base is excavated and filled with different graded aggregates to improve drainage.
Next, hot asphalt is transported onsite in trucks and carefully poured, leveled and compacted in sections across the driveway area.
It then takes anywhere from 6 months up to a year for freshly paved asphalt to completely cool and cure to full strength.
Pros of a Gravel Driveway
Gravel offers several advantages that make it an appealing choice for driveway projects.
Cost Savings
Gravel’s affordable price makes it accessible to most budgets. Having a gravel driveway installed tends to cost significantly less than poured asphalt or concrete.
Average savings range from 30% to 70% less, depending on factors like location and size.
DIY Friendly Installation
With proper planning and effort, most people can tackle a gravel driveway project on their own without needing to hire contractors. This further reduces costs.
Natural Drainage
Gravel allows rainwater to permeate while providing a stable driving surface.
Loose aggregate materials allow water to quickly permeate and drain away instead of pooling on the surface during rains. This is very helpful in wet areas, where it helps water management and prevents hazardous icy conditions in winter.
Material Variety
There are numerous aggregates, crushed stone, and quarry processes that each have appealing colors and textures to match landscape designs.
Visual Appeal
The rustic, flexible nature of gravel allows it to complement a diverse range of architectural styles.
With a wide array of stone types, colors, sizes and textures, these driveways often boost curb appeal more than basic asphalt.
Cons of a Gravel Driveway
On the other hand, there are a few notable downsides of gravel driveways you should consider:
Frequent Upkeep
While paver surfaces like asphalt require minimal maintenance, gravel driveways need regular maintenance and attention.
Rough Ride
Tires scatter and sink into the loose rock, making for bumpier rides. This worsens over the years as gravel gets displaced.
Scatter and Weeds
Uncontained gravel tends to migrate away from the driveway into grass and garden areas over time. Weeds and vegetation also quickly sprout up through it.
Dust and Dirt
Gravel roads kick up fine dust that can gather on vehicles. Puddles and mud often form on rainy days, leading to dirt being tracked indoors.
Pros of an Asphalt Driveway
Here are some of the pros and cons of asphalt.
Asphalt offers its own set of advantages.
Smooth Driving Surface
Unlike rough stone and rock drives, asphalt provides an exceptionally smooth, seamless surface to drive over.
Low Maintenance
Properly installed asphalt needs hardly any ongoing maintenance. Asphalt’s durability prevents sinking, shifting or weeds over time.
Stays Contained
The continuous paved asphalt surface prevents rocks or materials from scattering onto lawns or pathways nearby.
No Dust or Dirt
Asphalt significantly reduces dust clouds and muddy messes thanks to its hardened pavement and integrated aggregate layers.
Long Lasting
With proper installation and care, an asphalt driveway can easily last over a decade before needing resurfacing. The materials stand up well to weather and wear.
Cons of an Asphalt Driveway
No material is without its disadvantages:
High Upfront Cost
From excavation to installation to materials, asphalt paving has exceptionally high upfront costs compared to gravel. Professional contractor fees also add up.
Cracking Over Time
While durable, asphalt still becomes brittle and prone to cracks as it ages and contracts and expands with temperature shifts. Once cracking begins, weeds to emerge.
Oil Stains
Asphalt absorbs and shows vehicle oil leaks and drips quite clearly as unsightly stains unless sealed and maintained properly. Preventative sealing is key.
Heat Absorption
On hot sunny days, dark asphalt pavement soaks up heat and becomes burning hot to walk over with bare feet. The heat even radiates upwards uncomfortably.
Complex Installation
Successfully installing an asphalt driveway requires heavy equipment, hot asphalt pouring, precise slope grading and professional compacting.
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Driveway Maintenance Requirements
After installation, asphalt needs minimal annual upkeep thanks to its hardened, bound-together composition. Besides occasionally sealing cracks, the most involved maintenance comes years later, with seal coating to refresh the top layer every 3-5 years.
Maintaining a Gravel Driveway
On the other hand, gravel demands vigilance from day one. Regular leveling and weed control are needed to keep the area in good condition.
Maintaining an Asphalt Driveway
Extending the Life
For asphalt, timely seal coating and crack repairs are vital for minimizing water seepage damage and preventing weeds. Tree root trimming curbs potentially destructive growth. Re-striping faded lines maintains a tidy, “new” look.
With gravel, drainage improvements extend longevity. Installing a sub-base layer of crushed stone covered by geotextile landscape fabric reduces sinking and contamination.
Which one looks the best, Gravel Driveway or Asphalt?
Exterior surfaces like masonry and hardscapes influence home curb appeal and landscape design as much as functionality.
Gravel’s neutral, earthy tones blend naturally into gardens and wooded surroundings. There are multiple types of aggregates and quarry stones that provide variety in color.
Asphalt is best known for its deep black hue, but design techniques like stamped patterns or colored aggregate mixes adjust its visual dynamics. Stenciled designs get applied to cured asphalt for decorative flair.
But overall, asphalt only complements modern or contemporary home styles unless upgrades are purchased.
Environmental Considerations
Asphalt manufacturing requires heating and refining petroleum-based bitumens at high temperatures, which is an energy-intensive process.
However, on average, recycled asphalt programs repurpose old pavement into 30% of new asphalt mixes.
Conclusion
In the gravel versus asphalt driveway debate, there are excellent arguments to be made in favor of both options.
Gravel offers affordability and classic curb appeal but demands vigilant maintenance.
Asphalt provides smooth dependability yet comes at a higher initial cost.
Ultimately, climate, home style preferences, and budget dictate which material best fits.
Get Help With Your Driveway Project
Need help determining which material works best for your property?
As your landscape supply experts, we’re happy to guide you through material selection tailored to your property’s unique needs.
Our LA Landscape Supply team offers consultations and material recommendations for your driveway gravel projects. Contact us today to start a conversation!
Give us a call or stop into our store today. We can’t wait to get you started!
