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Interlocking pavers can last 50 years or more, but you’ll need to keep up with some basic routine maintenance to get the most out of them. This includes regularly applying a sealant and keeping up with any weeds that start to grow within them. Avoid metal shovels in the winter, and only salt the pavers ahead of snow and ice if the pavers are part of a necessary walking path—salt and other chemical-based de-icers can take a toll on your pavers over time.

A gravel driveway can be driven on instantly. While pavers don't technically need to cure, you'll typically be told by a contractor to wait at least 24 hours before driving on any stones or bricks after they've been set. While an asphalt driveway does take up to 72 hours to cure, this is far shorter than the week required for concrete driveways.

Pavers should be resealed at least once every three to five years. Pavers that are exposed to excessive foot traffic, wear and tear, or volatile weather may benefit from being resealed more frequently. Consider resealing pavers whenever you notice stains or discoloration beginning to form.

Professional installers often include a deep layer of crushed gravel under permeable pavers to allow more runoff to soak through into the soil below. Many installations will include multiple layers of gravel, with coarser aggregate at the base and finer aggregate that sits on top of that bottom layer. Above the gravel, you’ll often find coarse sand that helps reduce paver shifting over time. Some permeable paver designs include a water collection system set into the gravel layer to route runoff to a safe area for disposal.