Asphalt driveway width is an important consideration if your driveway is long and winding leading up to your home. How wide should it be? The simple answer is, it should be wide enough to keep from driving off of the edges!
When a vehicle drives off of the edge of an asphalt driveway, the asphalt can crack and break off or the tire can crush the edge. This is especially true and can become a much bigger problem if the driveway is elevated. Eventually, the cracked edges can break completely away which is not repairable. Patching it is not a long term repair. The newer hot asphalt will not bind to the older asphalt permanently causing it to crack and break away again. So, how wide should a driveway be? Well, that depends on who you ask. If you’re speaking to a "fly by night" contractor who has no vested interest into the long term life of your asphalt driveway, they’ll tell you 8’ feet is ok.
If you’re speaking to a reputable contractor, between 10 and 12 feet is the recommended width.
The width of your driveway is important. Before you hire a contractor avoid asphalt paving scams and see our report on “The Most Common Ways Asphalt Installation Contractors Rip Us Off and How To Avoid Them”.
Or take the guesswork out of hiring a driveway paving contractor and request an asphalt installation estimate from one of our Trusted Contractors.
If your driveway already has cracked edges or needs repairs and maintenance, request an asphalt repair estimate from one of our trusted asphalt repair contractors.