Paving Materials for Driveways

This driveway is paved with gravel, but has a cobblestone apron and edging.

The material you select for your driveway must be attractive and durable. Your driveway will be driven on nearly every day and needs to hold up to tire marks, oil drips and other hazards. Popular driveway paving materials include concrete, pavers, gravel and asphalt.

Driveway Materials

Concrete Driveways
Paver Driveways
Gravel Driveways
Asphalt Driveways

• Pro Tip: Avoid porous materials, such as sandstone, that may soak up leaking fluids resulting in a stain.

A big consideration when paving a driveway is the size. If you have a very long driveway you will need a lot more material to pave it. The cost of a driveway this size can be quite high if selecting expensive materials. This is why you often see large driveways paved with gravel, the most affordable paving material.

• Pro Tip: Since driveways are a lot of square footage, it is often not possible to pave them entirely in expensive pavers or cobblestones. Instead, opt for decorative bands, borders or an apron.

You'll also want to think about the surface of the material you select. Do you want something that will allow rain water to filter through and back into the soil? Do you have extreme weather conditions that could affect the safety of driving on your driveway? Do you want a decorative design or a grid of grass? The look you are going for will dictate what materials you should use.

• Pro Tip: If you live in a snowy climate, think about what material will be easiest to plow or shovel.