Asphalt vs Concrete Driveway: Which Is Better? Materials Compared
Short answer: asphalt is usually the better driveway in cold climates where roads are salted, and when you want to drive on it within days; it needs sealing every few years. Concrete is usually better in hot climates and when you want the least upkeep; it needs a week or more before cars and is harder to patch invisibly. For a 12 × 50 ft driveway that means 11.4 tons of asphalt 3 in thick, or 10.2 cubic yards of concrete 5 in thick, each on 6 in of crushed stone. The numbers come from the asphalt driveway calculator and the concrete driveway calculator.
Part of the project planner: Planning a new driveway.
Asphalt vs concrete by driveway size
Asphalt 3 in compacted with 5% waste; concrete 5 in with 10% waste; 6 in of crushed stone base under both:
| Driveway | Asphalt (3 in) | Base under asphalt | Concrete (5 in) | Base under concrete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 20 ft (200 ft²) | 3.8 tons | 6.2 tons | 3.4 yd³ (1 truck) | 6.2 tons |
| 12 × 50 ft (600 ft²) | 11.4 tons | 18.7 tons | 10.2 yd³ (2 trucks) | 18.7 tons |
| 20 × 20 ft (400 ft²) | 7.6 tons | 12.4 tons | 6.8 yd³ (1 truck) | 12.4 tons |
| 24 × 24 ft (576 ft²) | 11.0 tons | 17.9 tons | 9.8 yd³ (1 truck) | 17.9 tons |
| 20 × 40 ft (800 ft²) | 15.2 tons | 24.9 tons | 13.6 yd³ (2 trucks) | 24.9 tons |
Ready-mix trucks are counted at up to 10 yd³ each. The base tonnage is the same calculation for both surfaces; what changes is the surface on top and how it is placed.
How thickness changes the order (20 × 20 ft)
| Asphalt thickness | Asphalt |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 5.1 tons |
| 3 in | 7.6 tons |
| 4 in | 10.2 tons |
| Concrete thickness | Concrete |
|---|---|
| 4 in | 5.43 yd³ |
| 5 in | 6.79 yd³ |
| 6 in | 8.15 yd³ |
Residential asphalt is usually 2 to 3 in compacted, laid in one or two lifts, and concrete 4 in for cars or 5 to 6 in for heavier vehicles. Your local code and the contractor decide.
What else each one needs (12 × 50 ft)
| Asphalt | Concrete | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | 11.4 tons, about 1 truck load, 2 lifts | 10.2 yd³, 2 ready-mix trucks |
| Base | 18.7 tons of crushed stone | 18.7 tons of crushed stone |
| Reinforcement | None | 44 bars of #4 rebar or 12 sheets of mesh, 38 chairs |
| Joints and edges | Compacted edges; no joints | 98 control joints, 16 form boards, 24 ft of isolation strip |
| Upkeep | Sealer, two coats: about 16.5 gal every few years; fill cracks | Optional penetrating sealer; seal cracks and joints |
How they compare
- Climate: asphalt flexes and copes with frost heave and road salt. Concrete can scale if de-icing salt is used in its first winter, and a hot sun softens asphalt, so each suits a different climate.
- Time to use: asphalt is laid and rolled hot, and cars can usually use it within days. Concrete needs to cure; keep cars off for at least a week, or as the supplier says.
- Upkeep: asphalt needs sealcoating every few years and crack filling. Concrete needs little beyond sealing cracks and joints, and an optional sealer.
- Repairs: asphalt patches blend in fairly well and can be overlaid. Concrete patches show, and a badly cracked slab is broken out and replaced.
- Look: asphalt is black and fades to gray; concrete can be broom-finished, stamped or colored.
- DIY: both surfaces are usually laid by a contractor with the right equipment. The base, the drainage and the edges are where a homeowner can save or check the work.
Choosing
Pick asphalt if winters are hard, roads are salted and you are happy to seal it every few years. Pick concrete if summers are hot, you want the least upkeep, or you want a decorative finish. Whichever you choose, the base and the drainage decide how long it lasts: see the asphalt driveway materials list, the concrete driveway materials list and how much driveway sealer, or plan the whole job with the driveway planner. Prices change by region, so get quotes for both.
Frequently asked questions
Is asphalt or concrete better for a driveway?
Asphalt suits cold climates with road salt and people who want to drive on it within days; it needs sealing every few years. Concrete suits hot climates and people who want the least upkeep; it is slower to cure and harder to repair invisibly. Both last only as long as the base under them.
How much asphalt do I need for a driveway?
About 11.4 tons for a 12 × 50 ft driveway 3 in thick, compacted, with 5% waste, over 18.7 tons of crushed stone. The asphalt driveway guide has more sizes.
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
Usually 4 in for cars and 5 to 6 in for heavier vehicles, subject to local code. For a 20 × 20 ft driveway that is 6.79 yd³ at 5 in and 8.15 yd³ at 6 in.
Does an asphalt driveway need sealing?
Most makers recommend sealcoating once the asphalt has cured and then every few years. Two coats on a 12 × 50 ft driveway take about 16.5 gallons. Follow the product label for timing and coverage.
How soon can I drive on a new driveway?
Asphalt is usually ready for cars within a few days, longer in hot weather. Concrete gains strength over weeks, and the usual advice is to keep cars off for at least a week. Ask your contractor or follow the mix supplier.
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.
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