It’s all in the details
A chip and seal driveway uses gravel held by tar or asphalt, while asphalt creates a smoother, more durable surface.
Expect to pay $5 to $10 per square foot for chip seal installation with labor and around $5,248 for your asphalt driveway.
Your choice depends on traffic volume, budget, and how long you need the surface to last before requiring replacement or resurfacing.
Hiring a local asphalt company keeps your project on track, helping you choose the right surface and ensuring proper installation for lasting results.
Chip seal and traditional asphalt are both popular pavement materials for parking lots and driveways, but the former can be used as a standalone pavement option, or on top of asphalt as a sealing method. So, exactly how do chip seal and asphalt differ and how do you know which one suits you the most? Here are the key differences between chip seal and asphalt.
Chip seal, also known as oil and chip, is a pavement material where small rocks or gravel is held together by a binder, often asphalt or tar. While many confuse chip seal and asphalt as the same thing, they are fundamentally different in many aspects.
| Differences | Chip Seal | Asphalt |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Rough, heavily-textured surface | Smoother surface although rough finish options are available. |
| Durability | 5 to 8 years | 15 to 30 years |
| Cost | $2 to $5 per square foot materials only, or $5 to $10 per square foot with labor | $5,248 on average |
| Application | Private driveway, but mostly as a top layer on an asphalt driveway | Private driveway, parking spots, and public roads |
Asphalt provides a leveled, smooth surface that is easy to repair if damages happen. The color is usually very dark charcoal, close to black. A driveway using chip seal would have a much rougher texture where the edges of gravel are identifiable. Chip seal naturally has a light grey color.
If maintained properly, an asphalt driveway can last 15 to 30 years. Most driveways last around 20 years on average, but proper sealing and timely repairs can extend their lifespan up to a maximum of 30 years. Asphalt is highly resistant to heavy traffic, chemicals, and extreme weather conditions.
Chip seal, on the other hand, is far less durable. When used alone as driveway material, it lasts 5 to 8 years on average. If you have extremely low traffic volume, the chip seal driveway may last up to 15 years. Chip seal driveways are vulnerable to impact and heavy rain.
Chip seal is much more affordable than asphalt. Chip seal driveway costs $2 to $5 per square foot for materials. Paving a driveway with chip seal costs $5 to $10 per square foot, including labor. On average, a tar chip seal driveway costs 30% to 40% less than an asphalt one.
An asphalt driveway costs around $5,248, or $3,125 to $7,377 on average. Whether you are building a new driveway or an overlay, the size of your driveway and your local contractor rates all affect the final cost of the project.
Asphalt driveway repairs cost $1,071 to $4,011, depending on the severity of the damage and whether you need an urgent repair. On the other hand, since chip seal has no structure, the only valid repair would be reapplying chip seal all over again.
As the name suggests, chip seal is meant to be used for sealing. When applied alone, chip seal might work for private driveways and roads with extremely low volume. But anywhere expecting regular traffic should go with asphalt due to its durability.
More often, chip seal is used as a top layer or a resurfacing material for an asphalt driveway to extend its lifespan by keeping the existing pavement in good condition.
Archie did a good job cleaning up the driveway before he laid down the sealer. It looks good. He was gracious and even helped me bring up my groceries. His rate was comparable to another company who came out to give me a quote and he talked to me personally rather than just text me a quote...
Pro Seal Roofing & PavingD1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLCFirst of all, the gentleman I dealt with (Cam?) was very responsive to my many questions and concerns throughout the project, which is a huge plus to me. From the first time I met him for the estimate all the way til the completion of the job, he and his crew were professional and respectful....
All Star Paving and SealingWe had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesWorking with Peter and his crew was a breeze. They were exceptionally polite and did a neat job to repair and seal our driveway. I will definitely talk to them first for additional work.
Central PavingWe hired Jim to replace our hardwood floors with new hardwood. He and his helper Jerry did a fantastic job. Their work ethic is impeccable!! We would highly recommend McColl Floors!
The preformed a really good job the staff is incredible never been so happy with my home, A brand new driveway is like a face lift!!
Pristine PavingCalled Mark on a Thursday morning. Not really knowing if he could help me or not. I was having driveway, flooding issues due to a clogged channel drain and I was trying to figure out what direction to take. Heavy rains had come on Monday and again on Thursday leading to flooding in my garage...
Mark Rodgers ConstructionHad already met with 2 other contractors before Blue Ring, and Blue Ring's price quote for the work was better than either of the other 2, and the came out the next morning and cleaned up a very large fallen tree branch from a storm that was blocking my driveway. Work was completed in...
Blue Ring Residential Services, LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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