3 October 2022
 Categories: , Blog

Dirt and gravel driveways have a certain rustic charm, but it's an appeal best enjoyed from a distance. Anyone who's owned a gravel driveway for a long time knows that the reality can be quite different. Gravel driveways are often a source of frustration, but the initial cost of replacing them and putting in a paved surface can be off-putting.

If you've been mulling over a new driveway, it may be time to stop thinking and start acting. Keep reading to discover four reasons it may be time to finally ditch your gravel driveway and replace it with an asphalt surface.

1. Lower Costs 

There's a good chance you're holding onto your old driveway because you want to save money, but you may be spending more over the long run. Gravel driveways can be expensive to maintain since they typically require replacing stone lost to erosion or other problems. These driveways are also no less prone to potholes than any other surface, adding more potential maintenance problems.

On the other hand, asphalt driveways are relatively maintenance-free. Aside from sealcoating every few years and fixing problems as they appear, you can expect your asphalt driveway to provide more than a decade of trouble-free life.

2. Less Car Trouble 

Unless you drive a 4x4 or a heavy-duty truck, there's a good chance your car's manufacturer never intended it for daily off-road use. Unlike smooth asphalt surfaces, rough gravel and dirt driveways put a lot of strain on your car. Steering and suspension components may be particularly vulnerable to the rough and rocky surface your driveway provides.

If you've noticed shocks, tires, and other important components seem to fail more often than they should, there's a good chance your unpaved driveway may be to blame.

3. Easier Car Cleaning

Unnecessary repairs aren't the only problem you may face with your cars on a rocky driveway. Unsealed gravel driveways do a generally poor job of containing the dirt underneath, creating a dusty and dirty environment on hot and dry summer days. Simply driving your vehicle to the end of your driveway can leave it coated in a thin layer of unsightly dust and dirt.

Paving your driveway will eliminate this problem, allowing you to enjoy your freshly cleaned car for longer than it takes you to reach the road.

4. Easier Maintenance

Removing snow from a gravel driveway is often frustrating. The rough surface makes it difficult to use equipment such as snowblowers, and truck-mounted plows have a nasty way of removing portions of your driveway along with the snow. Since gravel doesn't retain heat as well as asphalt, snow tends to melt away more slowly than on other surfaces.

If you live in a climate that experiences cold winters, paving your driveway is a great way to make your post-snow maintenance much easier and less frustrating. 

Contact an asphalt paving company to learn more.