Asphalt or concrete driveway?

[EddieWalker]

It's hard to argue the dollar difference. 2 inches of blacktop here in East Texas is about a buck a foot. If you buy in bulk, it can be less, but I don't think a quarter mile is gonna give you much of a price break.

Concrete will need to be 4 inches and the going price here is $4 a ft.

I don't know about your area, but it's a pretty huge difference for something that isn't any better for roads. In fact, blacktop is smoother and with minimal traffic, it won't wear very much at all. Concrete will need expansion joints and you'll end up the the bumpidy bumps driving down it.

You need the same base rock and drainage either way, so that's a push. Your existing rock has been there long enough to be an excellent base. Just make sure it's smooth before you do anything so you don't have to pay for more material to fill any voids.

A quarter mile driveway, ten feet long in blacktop will cost me $13,200 more or less. The same thing in concrete will cost $52,800.

Shop around, but there's a reason most roads are blacktop.

Eddie

 

[CDsdad]

In 2004 I had a 22' x 40' pad with two 12' x 14' wings for turnaround poured at my carport entrance and a 4' x 90' sidewalk poured also. Everything was 4" thick, 3500 psi mix. Fiber in the sidewalk, mesh in the turnaround and entrance. I also had 2" thick asphalt 12' x 402' laid as driveway.

The concrete as expected has held up better to oil and traffic. My very reason for putting it next to the house.

The asphalt has had some grass grow up in the edges, even though I soaked it with roundup before and after grading and also as I saw any growth coming.

Concrete work was equal price to the asphalt and not near as much concrete poured. As someone said above, I can get the asphalt overlaid twice more at the same price as concrete if prices hold as they are.

 

[RobS]

One other consideration is taxes. In our area, concrete is considered a "permanent" improvement and will raise your property tax accordingly. Blacktop is not considered permanent and will not change your taxes. May not be a big deal either way but no one likes a tax surprise!

 

[Pilot]

CDsDad:

The Roundup did you no good because it doesn't work thru the soil and roots. It needs to be applied to the leaves. A common mistake.

 

[CDsdad]

Thanks Pilot. I sprayed everything before the grader blade ever touched the ground. Had a 12 x 400 dead strip. You are correct, the spraying after the grading did no good.

 

[tglass]

Here's my 2 cents. Good drainage, compaction of subgrade, and either way don't use asphalt anyware your going to park or do alot of turning. Contact your local state maint. dept. can be alot of help in your decision, but most of all find a reputable LOCAL contractor. Every day I see people getting drives done by people who say and probably have been doing it for years, but the results in a year or two are the same. Try and reach them now. A local knows the bussiness and usually takes pride in their work with a warranty. If your not happy they aren't either. Get references and check them. Most contractors are proud to give them. The others don't need your bussiness. Just my 2 cents.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I'm in the concrete vs blacktop equasion also. With a 300' + drive and a 20 x 35 turn around area by the house both are going to be expensive. They both crack in the cold frozen Wisconsin conditions. I can pour my own concrete but have to hire the blacktop. I'm not a big believer in steel mesh. It doesn't add any strength. Only makes it harder to tear out. With 4" material the rebar may end up too close to the surface if not watched carefully or at the bottom where it does little good. The (current surface ) crushed blue rock ( used on rail road tracks ) sticks to the grooves in your shoes and gets dragged into the house. ( hard on the wood or lineolm floors ). I haven't made the decision but I am leaning toward concrete.

 

[anthonyk]

you know, that's a good point about the taxes on the concrete.
Never considered that before.
thanks,

anthony

 

[dmccarty]

We have gravel on 900 feet of road and another 500 feet of driveway. Once the G'ment gives me SOME of my money back this year I'll add another couple hundred feet of ABC back to the barn.....

Yesterday, my daughter asked when would we pave the driveway....

I figured she wanted an easier place to ride her skate board or bike...

Nope, she wants a place that is smooth so when it snows she can make snowballs and snowmen that don't have rocks stuck in them....

It has only snowed a couple of times in her 6 years. And NEVER since we have lived at the new place.

I told her we would NEVER have a paved driveway or road since it was too much money and the ABC is durable, cheaper, and easy to fix. She did not want to hear the answer but she ain't paying either!

Later,
Dan

 

[turbo36]

I went with concrete when we built last year since we already had the sand base. I had 5,500 ft/sq. put down at $2.00 per ft/Sq