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Building a road on a slope requires careful planning and will normally require a drainage system underneath to prevent flooding and damage to the road over time. Your professional may lengthen your road to create switchbacks if the slope directly to your home is too steep, as there are regulations for maximum road slope. The drainage system will help prevent runoff from the higher side of the slope from damaging the asphalt or concrete. Keep in mind that building a road on a slope isn’t a good DIY project, as a lot can go wrong.

The average cost to repair an asphalt driveway is around $2,459 to $2,500. However, prices can range from $100 for minor DIY crack filling to over $4,000 for more extensive professional work. Costs are often calculated per foot, with minor repairs costing $1 to $3 per linear foot and heavier damage like potholes, sinking, or crumbling costing $2 to $5 per linear foot. Patching smaller potholes can cost around $2 to $3 per square foot. The final price depends on the severity and extent of the damage, driveway design, local contractor rates, and whether sealing is included. For major repairs, it is recommended to hire a professional, and you may get a better deal by bundling repair and sealing services together.

Maintaining a driveway depends on its material. For concrete and asphalt, it's best to clean the surface thoroughly twice a year with a stiff broom and a pressure washer to remove accumulated dirt and debris. Sealing the driveway is crucial to protect it from water damage and freeze-thaw cycles. Before applying a sealant, pressure wash the surface to remove any loose sealant, dirt, or stains, as sealing over them will trap them. Any cracks or expansion joints should be filled with a flexible polyurethane caulk or asphalt sealer. In colder climates, use sand instead of salt for de-icing. Sand helps melt snow and ice without accelerating the freeze-thaw process, which can cause cracks.

Whether you should resurface or replace your asphalt driveway heavily depends on its condition. If the foundation is solid and the damage is minor, resurfacing is your best bet because it’s more affordable and faster than replacing the driveway. But if your driveway has foundational problems and/or severe damage, like large, deep cracks and potholes, then it makes more sense to replace it.