Asphalt Paving Contractor Serving Myrtle Beach & the Grand Strand

Late spring through early fall is ideal for paving in the Myrtle Beach area, when temperatures stay consistently above 50°F. Warm weather helps the asphalt cure properly and bond to the base. We recommend scheduling before hurricane season peaks to avoid weather delays.

Asphalt and blacktop are both made from the same base materials — crusite stone and bitumen — but blacktop is mixed at a higher temperature and uses a higher stone-to-bitumen ratio. In practice, blacktop is commonly used for driveways and residential surfaces, while asphalt is used for roads and commercial applications. Most homeowners use the terms interchangeably, and both work well for driveways in the Grand Strand area.

A residential asphalt driveway should be 2 to 3 inches thick for the asphalt layer, on top of a 6 to 8 inch compacted gravel base. For heavier vehicles or commercial use, we recommend increasing the asphalt thickness to 3 or more inches. Proper base preparation is just as important as the asphalt thickness for long-term durability.

A properly installed asphalt driveway typically lasts 15 to 20 years, while concrete driveways can last 25 to 30 years. Regular maintenance like sealcoating every 2 to 3 years can significantly extend the life of an asphalt surface. The coastal climate in Myrtle Beach means UV exposure and moisture are the biggest factors affecting driveway longevity.

Gravel is cheaper upfront, typically costing about half the price of asphalt per square foot. However, gravel requires frequent replenishing, grading, and weed control that adds up over time. For most homeowners in the Grand Strand, asphalt or concrete is the better long-term investment because of lower maintenance costs and improved property value.

While small patch repairs can be done yourself, installing a full asphalt driveway is not a practical DIY project. It requires heavy commercial equipment like pavers and rollers, plus the asphalt must be laid and compacted at the right temperature to bond properly. A poorly installed driveway will crack and fail quickly, costing more than hiring a contractor from the start.

No — pouring asphalt directly on dirt will lead to cracking, sinking, and failure within a short time. A proper driveway needs a compacted gravel base layer to provide drainage and structural support. Skipping the base is the most common reason driveways fail prematurely, especially in the sandy soils common around Myrtle Beach.