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An asphalt driveway should last 25 to 30 years, depending on the type of asphalt used, the climate, how well the foundation was prepared, the type of soil under the foundation, and how well you maintain your driveway. Maintaining asphalt by filling cracks and reapplying sealer every few years can help extend the life of your asphalt driveway.

When hiring an asphalt paving contractor to install your driveway, ask as many questions up front as possible. Here are a few questions to ask a prospective driveway contractor:

• How many years of experience do you have?

• Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

• Do you have worker’s compensation?

• Do you use subcontractors on your projects?

• Do you clean up after the job is done?

• Who is responsible for any damage to lawn or landscaping?

• Do you provide a guarantee or warranty on your work?

• Do you give free estimates?

• What is the timeline for completion?

• How do you handle change orders?

• Can you provide at least three references?

• Can I see some of the work you’ve done?

An asphalt driveway should be at least 3 inches thick over a compacted gravel base. Areas with poor drainage should have a thicker stone base. To install a new asphalt driveway over an existing driveway, the new asphalt should be at least 2 inches thick and the existing driveway should be in relatively good condition.

An asphalt driveway costs about $7 to $15 per square foot, including labor and materials. The cost will vary depending on your location, how thick the base material is, what prep is required, the thickness of the asphalt, and the accessibility of the job site. The national average cost to install an asphalt driveway is about $4,740.