Asphalt paving: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What asphalt paving is

Asphalt paving lays hot mix asphalt over a graded and compacted base to make a driveway, parking area or lot that is durable and smooth. People choose it for a smooth, durable surface that can be laid quickly, since a crew works while the mix is still hot.

Signs you need it

  • The gravel or dirt drive has become rutted, muddy or dusty and needs a hard, all-weather surface
  • An old asphalt drive has worn through to the base in many spots and patching no longer holds
  • A new lot, drive or parking area is planned, and it must carry cars, trucks and heavy equipment
  • Water ponds across the surface after rain, and the lot needs a new grade with proper drainage
  • The existing surface is cracked and crumbling in wide areas, and a full overlay or new paving makes more sense than repair
  • A commercial or rental property needs a durable surface that can be marked for parking spaces

What the pro does

  • Survey the grade, the drainage and the subgrade, and mark the work area and any buried lines
  • Excavate or fill to the design grade, then compact the subgrade and set a crushed stone base in layers
  • Roll and proof-roll the base to find soft spots, and dig out and replace any section that moves under the roller
  • Apply a tack coat to the existing surface or base, so the new asphalt bonds to it
  • Place the hot mix with a paver to a set thickness and roll it in passes while it is still workable
  • Check the joints and edges, let the surface cool enough to walk on, and keep traffic off until it has set

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total area and thickness of the asphalt, since heavier loads need thicker mix over a deeper base
  • Condition and depth of the existing base, and how much soft material must be dug out and replaced
  • Grading and drainage work needed to pitch the surface and avoid ponding
  • Access for the paver and roller, and whether the work area has narrow gates or tight turns
  • Edge work along curbs, walls and garage aprons, which is slower than open paving
  • Striping, sealing and any markings added after the paving is complete

What a written quote should spell out

  • Area to be paved, the asphalt thickness and the mix type used
  • Base depth, stone type, compaction method and the proof-roll check
  • Tack coat, edge detail and the grade and slope to the drains or the street
  • Removal and haul-off of the old surface, if it is part of the job
  • Time before the surface can take vehicles and the traffic plan during the work
  • Striping or sealing, if included, and the warranty terms for the paving

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How thick is the asphalt, and what base depth are you putting under it?
  • Will you proof-roll the base and replace any soft spots before paving?
  • Where will the water drain, and how do you pitch the surface to get it there?
  • What mix do you use, and is it suited to the traffic this surface will carry?
  • How long before cars can drive on it, and what do I need to keep off it?
  • What happens if the paving cracks at the edges or the joints in the first year?

Red flags

  • Paves over an unprepared or soft base without proof-rolling or repair
  • Lays asphalt directly on soil or loose gravel with no compacted base
  • Sets the surface flat or pitched toward the house with no water plan
  • Skips the tack coat on a surface that will be paved over
  • Says the new surface will last forever with no maintenance or sealing

What you can do yourself

A homeowner has no safe way to pave a driveway with hot mix, since the material is very hot, heavy and placed by machines. A homeowner can fill small potholes with cold patch, but full paving should be left to a pro. Hot asphalt causes serious burns, so keep children and pets clear of the work area, and avoid walking on fresh asphalt until the crew says it is safe.

Licenses and permits

Asphalt paving is commonly done by licensed contractors, and a new driveway or a change at the street often needs a permit in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, especially for a driveway that connects to a public road.

Asphalt paving questions

How long before I can drive on new asphalt?

Fresh asphalt can usually take light foot traffic within a short time, but cars and trucks should wait until the surface has cooled and firmed up. Ask the crew for the exact timing for your job, since weather changes it.

Why does new asphalt show tire marks or dents?

Fresh mix is soft for a short time and can mark or indent under turning tires, especially in hot weather. Those marks usually fade as the surface cures, but heavy turning should be avoided during the first days.

Do I need sealcoating after paving?

Sealcoating is often recommended after the asphalt has aged for a while, not right after it is laid. Ask the pro when they recommend the first seal and what product they use.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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