Concrete vs pavers vs asphalt driveways in North Texas

The short version

All three can make a good driveway. They behave differently in our heat and on our clay, they need different upkeep, and they fail in different ways. Concrete is the default in most DFW subdivisions for a reason, but it isn't automatically the right call for every lot.

We only pour concrete. We don't install pavers or asphalt. That's exactly why we'll be straight with you about when they make more sense.

Side by side

Relative comparisons only. Paver and asphalt pricing depends on the installer, the material, base depth and the size of the job.

Heat

A North Texas August is hard on driveways. Asphalt is dark and gets very hot. It's held together by a petroleum binder that softens in high heat, so you can see scuffing where tires turn in place, ruts where a trailer sits, and kickstands sinking in. It firms back up when it cools.

Concrete and pavers don't soften. Standard gray concrete stays noticeably cooler underfoot than asphalt. Pavers vary by color. Concrete does expand in heat, which is why control joints and expansion joints matter. We put control joints at regular spacing (8-10 ft on a 4" slab is the common rule) and expansion joints where new concrete meets old.

Clay and movement

Our Blackland Prairie clay swells when it's wet and shrinks when it's dry. Every driveway here moves some. The question is what happens when it does.

Concrete is rigid. Good steel and a compacted base help it ride out movement, and control joints give it a place to crack neatly. When the soil moves a lot, a panel can crack or settle, and the fix is usually replacing that panel.

Pavers are flexible. They can shift and get wavy, but you can pull them up, fix the base, and lay the same pavers back down. On a lot with a lot of movement, that's a real advantage.

Asphalt flexes too, and cracks show up as the base moves. It's easy to patch, though the patches stay visible. Our soil section covers why drainage matters for all three.

Maintenance

Concrete

Low. Rinse it, keep water draining away, and seal cracks so water doesn't get under the slab. Decorative finishes need resealing every few years. Sealing a plain broom finish is optional.

Pavers

The joints are the chore. Sand washes out and needs topping up, and weeds and ants move into the gaps. Polymeric joint sand helps. Edge restraints need to stay put or the field starts to spread.

Asphalt

Sealcoating every few years keeps the sun and water from breaking down the surface. Cracks should get filled as they show up. Skip that and asphalt wears out a lot faster.

Looks, HOAs and the city apron

Pavers win on looks for a lot of people. They come in many shapes and colors. Concrete can be dressed up with stamped, exposed aggregate or colored finishes. Asphalt is plain black that fades to gray.

Check your HOA before you pick a material. Many DFW neighborhoods have rules on driveway materials and colors, and some won't approve asphalt.

The apron is the section that ties into the street gutter, and it's a city thing. In the DFW cities we've researched it's built to city spec in concrete. We pour aprons 6" thick at 3,500 or 4,000 PSI with rebar on chairs and dowels into the gutter, and we pull the permit. Some cities, like Flower Mound and University Park, also want a plain broom finish on it. So even a paver or asphalt driveway usually meets the street with a concrete apron. More in the apron section of our guide.

Cost

Asphalt usually has the lowest upfront cost, especially on long drives. Pavers usually cost the most because of the base work and hand labor. Concrete sits between them. Over the life of the driveway, asphalt's sealcoating and shorter life eat into its head start.

For concrete, here's our own data from 85 DFW replacements we quoted in October 2026 (4" broom finish, tear-out included):

Plug in your own size with the driveway cost calculator.

How to decide

Pick asphalt if

• You have a long rural drive or a big parking area and upfront cost is the main concern
• Your HOA (if you have one) allows it
• You're fine sealcoating every few years

Pick pavers if

• You want that look and it fits your budget
• Your lot moves a lot and you like the idea of resetting sections instead of replacing them
• You don't mind keeping up with joint sand and weeds

Pick concrete if

• You want low upkeep and the longest life for the money
• You park heavy vehicles (we offer 5" with heavier steel for RVs, trailers and heavy trucks)
• You want it to match the rest of the street and keep the HOA happy

If concrete is your pick, start an estimate. We measure from aerial imagery and your photos and send a written, itemized number, usually within one business day.

Questions people ask