Arlington Elite Asphalt FAQ

Most homeowners in Arlington pay between $3,000 and $8,000 for a standard residential asphalt driveway (approximately 600 square feet). Cost runs $7–$15 per square foot installed. North Arlington and Lyon Village properties with longer driveways typically land in the $5,000–$10,000+ range. Call 571-427-0191 for a free on-site estimate — pricing varies by lot grade, existing surface, and access.

Installation for a standard residential driveway takes 1–2 days. Cure time before foot traffic: 24–48 hours. Before driving: 3–5 days minimum. Full cure (maximum hardness): 6–12 months. During that window, avoid parking in the same spot repeatedly, turning wheels while stationary, or placing heavy objects on the surface.

Any excavation within the Arlington County right-of-way requires an Excavation ROW permit under Arlington County Code Chapter 22. Private driveway work on private property may also require a residential building permit for new driveways or major modifications. Arlington Elite Asphalt handles permit coordination on every applicable job. Questions: Arlington Inspection Services Division at (703) 228-3800 or Permit Arlington at arlingtonva.us.

A properly installed asphalt driveway lasts 20–30 years with regular maintenance. Northern Virginia's freeze-thaw cycles and UV exposure accelerate wear compared to warmer climates. Sealcoating every 2–3 years extends driveway life by 5–10 years. Crack filling done early (before cracks exceed 1 inch) adds another 3–5 years.

Asphalt is the better choice for most Northern Virginia homeowners. It flexes through freeze-thaw cycles better than rigid concrete, costs roughly half as much ($7–$15/sq ft vs $14–$20/sq ft for concrete), and can be resurfaced rather than replaced when it shows wear. Concrete lasts 30–50 years vs asphalt's 20–30, but asphalt is far more cost-effective for most Arlington homeowners.

April through October, when daytime temperatures are consistently above 50°F. Asphalt is laid at 275–300°F; cold air causes it to cool too quickly, reducing density and durability. Spring and early fall are ideal. Arlington Elite Asphalt monitors weather forecasts and schedules jobs to avoid rain within 24 hours of paving.

Sealcoating is the application of a liquid protective layer (asphalt emulsion) over an existing asphalt surface. It blocks UV oxidation, water infiltration, and oil penetration — all of which degrade asphalt from the surface down. A driveway sealcoated every 2–3 years retains its dark color, sheds water cleanly, and resists cracking significantly longer. Cost for a standard Arlington driveway: $250–$600.

Wait 6–12 months after a new installation before the first sealcoat. New asphalt needs time to fully cure and off-gas the oils from the mix — sealing too early traps those oils and can prevent proper hardening. After the first sealcoat, re-seal every 2–3 years.

Yes. Arlington Elite Asphalt provides free on-site estimates for all residential and commercial jobs throughout Arlington County and the surrounding Northern Virginia service area. Call 571-427-0191 or submit the contact form. Most estimates are scheduled within 1–3 business days.

Arlington Elite Asphalt is based in Arlington, Virginia and serves all of Arlington County plus 20 surrounding communities: McLean, Falls Church, Alexandria, Fairfax, Vienna, Annandale, Reston, Springfield, Herndon, Tysons, Great Falls, Burke, Centreville, Oakton, Manassas, Woodbridge, Ashburn, Sterling, Chantilly, and Lorton.

Asphalt cracks for three main reasons: (1) Freeze-thaw cycles — water seeps into voids, expands when frozen, and widens cracks. This is the primary driver in Northern Virginia winters. (2) UV oxidation — sun exposure dries out the binding oils, making asphalt brittle. (3) Inadequate base or drainage — if the gravel base shifts or becomes saturated, the surface cracks. Cracks caught early (under 1 inch wide) cost $1–$3 per linear foot to fill before they require full-depth patching.

Yes. Arlington Elite Asphalt holds a Virginia contractor's license issued by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) and carries full general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. License and insurance documentation are available on request before any job begins. Verify at dpor.virginia.gov.

Standard Superpave hot-mix asphalt — the specification used by VDOT on Virginia roads — is the correct product for residential driveways. It's engineered for Northern Virginia's climate. Avoid contractors using lower-quality mixes with high recycled content on residential driveways; these are appropriate for commercial roads but may not perform as well on narrow residential driveways.

Replace when: alligator cracking covers 30%+ of the surface, base failure is evident (soft spots, sinkholes, major heaving), the driveway is 25+ years old, or repair costs would exceed 50% of replacement. Repair or resurface when: the surface is faded and cracked but the base is solid, and there are no depressions or soft spots. A free on-site assessment from Arlington Elite Asphalt answers this definitively for your specific driveway.

An overlay places 1.5–2 inches of fresh asphalt directly over the existing surface — faster and cheaper at $2–$5/sq ft. Mill-and-pave removes the top 1–2 inches of old asphalt with a milling machine before laying fresh asphalt — maintains original height (critical for garage thresholds and curb clearances). Mill-and-pave costs $3–$7/sq ft. Arlington Elite Asphalt recommends mill-and-pave when height clearance is an issue or when surface cracks might telegraph through an overlay.

Asphalt milling (cold planing) mechanically removes 1–4 inches of existing asphalt using a rotating drum of carbide teeth. The removed material (RAP — reclaimed asphalt pavement) is 100% recyclable. Milling is used when: the existing surface is too high for an overlay, old surface deterioration would telegraph through an overlay, or a new full-depth structure requires a clean base. Costs $1.50–$3.00/sq ft.

Yes. Arlington County actively encourages permeable paving through its Green Arlington stormwater management program. Porous asphalt allows rainwater to drain through the surface into a stone bed below, reducing stormwater runoff. Porous asphalt costs 10–20% more to install than standard asphalt and requires periodic vacuuming to keep pores clear of sediment. Arlington Elite Asphalt can discuss permeable options if this is a priority.

Light rain on properly compacted asphalt within the first 24 hours typically causes minor surface marking but doesn't ruin the installation. Heavy rain on recently-paved surface before full cooling and compaction is more problematic — the surface can be displaced. Arlington Elite Asphalt monitors weather forecasts and reschedules if significant rain is forecast within 24 hours of a job.