Picking driveway materials sounds simple… until you realize how many options exist. Concrete, asphalt, gravel, pavers, exposed aggregate and each one behaves differently over time.
We learned by asking ourselves a few honest questions.
Do we want low maintenance? Asphalt was appealing for that reason. It’s smooth, budget-friendly, and easy to resurface every few years. Concrete lasts longer, but cracks are harder to hide. Pavers cost more upfront, but repairs are simpler and the look ages well. Gravel is affordable and drains beautifully, but it can wander into the yard and onto shoes.
Climate mattered, too. Freeze-thaw cycles can destroy poorly installed concrete. Heavy rain can wash out loose gravel. Sun fades darker surfaces faster.
In the end, we matched the material to how we live: pavers near the house for a finished look, gravel extension for extra parking. The combination worked better than choosing just one option.
The lesson?
Don’t just copy the driveway you saw online. Think about your climate, traffic, budget, and how much upkeep you’re really willing to do. A good driveway doesn’t call attention to itself every day it simply works.
The right material isn’t the “prettiest,” it’s the one that fits your life.
