Choosing Between Asphalt and Concrete for Your Driveway

Concrete or asphalt — it’s one of the most common questions we get. Here’s the deal: concrete is tough. It’s rigid, handles heavy loads, and doesn’t mind the heat. It’s your go-to at entry points, where tires turn and pause. But it’ll cost you more.

Asphalt, on the other hand, is the flexible friend. It bends a bit under pressure, which means fewer cracks if your base isn’t perfect. It goes down fast, looks clean, and gives you more bounce for your buck—especially with today’s mix designs.

Want curb appeal on a budget? Asphalt’s your friend. Want long-term durability in high-impact areas? Concrete wins.

In Sisters, we paved for an athletic club where foot traffic, frequent vehicle movement, and budget all made asphalt the smart choice. It performed great and met every spec. But if the project had called for heavy industrial trucks or constant turning loads? Concrete would have been the better bet.

Common mistakes happen in both materials. For concrete, inconsistent thickness or poor subgrade prep leads to major cracking. Think of it like a chain — the weak spot breaks first. Weather is also a factor. Concrete hates bad timing. You get rain or freezing temps mid-pour? You’re asking for trouble. (And again: never trust the weatherman.)

With asphalt, the subgrade is even more important. Poor compaction or wrong slope and you’ll get ruts and waves in no time. Asphalt forgives a little — but not a lot.

Here’s the takeaway: the right material depends on your needs, climate, and how the space will be used. BANR helps homeowners and builders weigh those options. No fluff. Just the facts. And whatever route you take, we’ll make sure the job is done solid, start to finish.