Difference Between Concrete and Asphalt - Which is Stronger

Both asphalt and concrete are popular and strong materials to pave driveways and roads with. These two durable materials perform well in the rain and cold and can last for many years if they are maintained well. However, each has its advantages and disadvantages:

Concrete is stronger but more expensive, and with the addition of steel reinforcement concrete can also be much more versatile. One of the least expensive materials to pave a driveway or a road with is asphalt.

Asphalt surfaces have a cheaper initial cost of installation but it requires more maintenance. Asphalt surface requires re-sealing every few years or so. Another advantage is that snow melts faster on asphalt, this is because asphalt is darker in color. Asphalt roads and driveways last about 10 to 30 years while concrete roads and driveways last about twice that long.

Many highways and streets have been paved with asphalt (this is because it is cheaper) but subsequently repaved with many unsighty and expensive layers. Today, many construction of heavily traveled interstates is built and designed with concrete due to its versatility, durability and long term savings in maintenance. Concrete offers better visibility on rainy nights and is generally less slippery in wet weather.

Concrete is made from a mixture of stones, cement, pebbles, water, sand and gravel. Asphalt is made from crude oil. It is made up of 80% carbon, it gets mixed with either sand or gravel to become the material we use for driveways and roads. Concrete and asphalt are both recyclable.