How Long Does an Asphalt Driveway Last?
The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association says a well-designed asphalt driveway will give trouble-free service for up to 20 years, and that sealing it every two to five years can extend that. SealMaster says a program of periodic crack filling and sealcoating can more than double pavement life, and NAPA names standing water as the leading cause of failure.
Up to 20 years, if it is built right
The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association says a well-designed hot-mix asphalt driveway will give trouble-free service for up to 20 years, and ties that to three things: good design, good materials and good construction.
Sealing and crack filling
The same association says a high-grade asphalt sealer applied every two to five years can extend a driveway's service life and improve its appearance. SealMaster typically recommends sealcoating every 3 years, and says a systematic program of periodic crack filling and sealcoating will more than double the life of asphalt pavement.
Water is the main enemy
The National Asphalt Pavement Association calls standing water the leading cause of driveway failure. The U.S. Geological Survey notes that ice is about 9 percent less dense than liquid water, so water that freezes in cracks takes up more room than it did as liquid.
Overlays extend an older driveway
The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association says existing driveways can be overlaid with hot-mix asphalt to improve their condition, strengthen them and extend their service life, once weak spots and large cracks are cut out and patched.
Keep reading
Sources
- Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association (via the Asphalt Institute), “Best Practices” for the Use of Asphalt Driveways, Technical Brief
- SealMaster, How often should you sealcoat a parking lot or driveway?
- SealMaster, How to repair cracks in asphalt pavement
- National Asphalt Pavement Association, Hiring an Asphalt Contractor for Driveways
- U.S. Geological Survey, Water Science School, Water Density
Frequently Asked Questions
The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association says a well-designed asphalt driveway will give trouble-free service for up to 20 years.
The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association says sealer every two to five years can extend service life, and SealMaster says periodic crack filling and sealcoating can more than double pavement life.
The National Asphalt Pavement Association says standing water is the leading cause of driveway failure.