What is the longest lasting road surface? (2024)

What is the longest lasting road surface?

Concrete roads are more economical to drive in terms of fuel consumption, they reflect light better, and they last significantly longer than other paving surfaces; but they have a much smaller market share than other paving solutions.

Concrete road surfaces last longer – as much as 25 years, compared to 18 for asphalt.

When it comes to durability and maintenance, concrete roads tend to last longer and require less frequent repairs than asphalt roads. Concrete is a stronger material and can withstand heavier loads and harsher weather conditions.

Concrete Road Advantages

The biggest benefit of concrete road construction is the longevity. Lasting 20-40 years on average, paving in concrete can boast two to four times the lifespan of asphalt. Concrete, it may surprise you to know, is recyclable. Once crushed into gravel, concrete can be used in a variety of ways.

The lab results seems to indicate that epoxy asphalt is less susceptible to fatigue and wear and tear than ordinary asphalt and will last longer. With Dura Vermeer we are also investigating how best to re-use epoxy asphalt.

An asphalt concrete surface will generally be constructed for high-volume primary highways having an average annual daily traffic load greater than 1,200 vehicles per day. Advantages of asphalt roadways include relatively low noise, relatively low cost compared with other paving methods, and perceived ease of repair.

Durability is a major factor for homeowners to consider when choosing driveway material, especially if you have multiple cars or lots of foot traffic. Concrete is significantly more durable than asphalt. Compared to asphalt, concrete withstands basic wear and tear and weather elements.

Overall, the difference between asphalt and concrete driveways is that asphalt is less durable than concrete. With proper maintenance, it can last 30 years. Alternatively, concrete provides a sturdy, long-lasting option and can last homeowners 50+ years with occasional repairs and degreasing.

Gravel can be a somewhat permeable alternative to a concrete driveway, allowing some stormwater to pass through it. Gravel can be problematic if your driveway has more than a 7% slope to it but for level driveways, it makes an outstanding asphalt driveway alternative.

Additionally, asphalt is a recyclable material, which makes it an environmentally friendly choice. In comparison to concrete, asphalt is often preferred for its flexibility, which allows it to withstand freeze-thaw cycles and heavy loads without cracking as easily as concrete.

Why are roads in Texas concrete?

Concrete is relatively inexpensive, durable, easy to work with, and is able to withstand near-constant exposure to the state's hot and humid climate and high heat.

Asphalt concrete is the best, smoothest, and most expensive surface. Dust palliatives may be used to reduce dust. Common palliatives are water, lignins, chlorides, and oils. Use depends on product costs, soils, and pattern of road use.

According to the experts from Jacksonville experts from CSG Sealcoating, concrete is stronger than asphalt. And this can be seen in their durability. While asphalt pavement can last for 20 years, concrete can last for up to 40 years.

Architectural shingles: Also called dimensional shingles, these asphalt shingles are mid-range priced and last between 20-30 years. Premium shingles: The highest price tag when it comes to asphalt shingle materials, these last between 25-40 years.

A new, well built, asphalt road should last at least 15 years before a major rehabilitation or full depth reconstruction is needed. However, surface treatments or thin overlays every 7-10 years can extend that to 20 years between major work.

Asphalt Enemy #1: Surface Water

If an asphalt driveway, parking lot or roadway is not properly maintained, surface water can weaken the pavement, causing cracks to expand and encouraging the formation of potholes.

Gravel costs $1.25 to $3 per square foot and is less expensive than asphalt and concrete. Factor in costs for land clearing, tree removal, resloping, and installing a drainage system.

While many roads and highways use asphalt, approximately 60 percent of the interstate system is concrete, particularly in urban areas. The reason: Concrete is more durable. With proper concrete drying, the material offers additional advantages, including: Concrete supports heavy loads.

Durability – When compared to blacktop, asphalt has a higher bitumen content and is less porous. This means that it can withstand heavier loads over a longer period of time. In addition, it is better for areas with heavy traffic or even static machinery that sits in place for extended amounts of time.

Asphalt is mainly used for major highways and streets, whereas blacktop, a subset of asphalt, is used more for less trafficked areas like driveways, parking lots, and playgrounds.

Is it cheaper to use asphalt or concrete?

One of the biggest influential factors on your decision will probably be the cost. There are both short-term and long-term costs for asphalt and concrete. Asphalt is cheaper than concrete to install, at about $3 or $4 per square foot. Concrete typically costs at least $6 per square foot to install.

Asphalt is a ubiquitous material for road construction, and that's because it is usually the most economical option. Not only is asphalt generally cheaper than concrete, but asphalt roadways can be finished and opened for traffic more quickly than roads paved with other materials.

On average, blacktop driveway installation costs between $7 and $13 per square foot for both materials and installation.

Concrete is 10 times harder than asphalt. Asphalt (mixture of gravel, tar and crushed rock)- Most roads are made of this and most road races will be run on asphalt. It also has more give than concrete but remains a stable surface.

Using loose materials such as gravel stones is one of the cheapest ways to pave your driveway. Simply add brick stones on both sides to make it look classy, just like the example photo above. However, if you are not fond of brick stones, you can replace them with planters or concrete.