Asphalt vs concrete driveway: which is better in Pittsburgh?

Which is cheaper: asphalt or concrete?

On the day it's installed, asphalt is cheaper. Around Pittsburgh, it runs about $5 to $9 per square foot against $8 to $14 for a plain concrete driveway. On a 500 square foot driveway, that's a gap of about $1,500 to $2,500, and that's real money if you're on a budget.

Over the long term, the numbers get closer. Asphalt usually needs sealcoating every three to five years and a new top layer at some point, and it may need a full replacement well before a good concrete slab does. Asphalt prices also follow oil, while concrete has been steadier. Run the numbers across 30 years and concrete often comes out ahead, provided you stay in the house that long. If you don't, the lower price can be the smart choice.

Our concrete driveway cost guide has prices by size, so you can run your own comparison.

Which lasts longer?

A well-built concrete driveway can last 25 to 40 years, and often more. Asphalt tends to last 15 to 25 years with good care. Both of these depend on the base. A driveway over wet, soft ground will fail early whichever surface is on top, and that's worth keeping in mind if a contractor is selling you on a material when the problem is really the drainage.

The two also fail in different ways. Concrete tends to crack and scale. Asphalt tends to rut, ravel and turn brittle as the binder dries out. Asphalt is more forgiving as the ground shifts, as it flexes a little where concrete cracks. On a slope that creeps or on soil that moves, this can count for a lot.

Which handles a Pittsburgh winter better?

It's a point in asphalt's favor that salt doesn't hurt it much. Concrete has a harder time with deicers, particularly in its first winter or two. Salt itself isn't the only issue, since it also raises the number of freeze-thaw cycles the surface goes through. A good air-entrained mix and regular sealing go a long way, but you do need to take care with what you spread on the slab.

Dark asphalt also warms faster in the sun, so snow and ice clear a little sooner. Plows can gouge either surface, but asphalt shows it more, while concrete can chip at the joints and edges. Frost heave affects both of them. If you're in the habit of salting heavily, or the road salt on your street is heavy enough to track up the driveway, asphalt has a real edge.

Which works best on a steep driveway?

Pittsburgh has plenty of steep driveways, and that's where concrete shines. It holds its shape, and it can have a heavy broom or aggregate finish for grip. Asphalt can be hard to compact on a steep grade, it can creep over the years, and it may become slick when wet and polished. Concrete is also better at the bottom of a hill, where vehicles brake and turn in the same spot, since heavy turning scuffs and ruts asphalt in warm weather.

An exposed aggregate driveway is a good choice for a hill. Ask how the crew plans to pour it, as a steep slab needs a stiffer mix and a careful sequence. Asphalt crews have their own limits on grade, and many won't warranty very steep work.

What about repairs and resale?

Asphalt repairs are cheap and easy, and an overlay can renew a tired driveway for less than a full replacement. Concrete repairs cost more and tend to show, though a well-built slab needs them less often. At resale, neither surface adds much on its own, but a broken driveway of either kind gives buyers a reason to negotiate. If your street is mostly concrete, a new black driveway can look out of place, and the reverse is also true. Either way, keep your paperwork, as a buyer will want to know how old the driveway is and who built it.

Looks, heat and everyday use

These things don't show up on a quote, but you'll live with them each day.

• Concrete is cooler underfoot in summer, and it reflects more heat
• Asphalt softens in hot weather, so kickstands and jack stands can sink in
• Oil stains show up far more on concrete
• Concrete takes color, patterns and borders
• Asphalt patches blend in after a while, and concrete patches rarely do
• A black driveway suits some houses, and pale concrete brightens others

So which should you choose?

Choose concrete if you plan to stay for a long time, you have a slope or you like a cleaner look. It's also a better fit if your street already has concrete driveways, as the look will match the neighbors. Choose asphalt if your budget is tight, you might sell within a few years or you have a long rural driveway where the area makes concrete too costly. Long driveways are where the price difference grows largest.

We pour concrete, so you should know where we stand. Still, we'd rather point you toward asphalt than sell you the wrong driveway. If you want to look at what concrete involves, see concrete driveway installation.

Common questions

More driveway services

• concrete driveway installation
• concrete driveway replacement
• concrete driveway repair
• concrete driveway resurfacing
• stamped concrete driveway
• exposed aggregate concrete driveway
• driveway trench drain
• driveway drainage
• driveway apron
• concrete driveway sealing
• driveway crack repair
• sunken driveway repair
• driveway extension

Areas we serve

• Lawrenceville
• Shadyside
• Squirrel Hill
• Bloomfield
• Wexford
• Sewickley
• Fox Chapel
• Allegheny County