Hi, I’m Paul. When we finally decided to redo our old, crumbling driveway, we were stuck on one question: concrete or asphalt? We live in Auckland, where the weather, soil, and council requirements can all influence which option is best. Like many homeowners, we didn’t know where to begin.

In this post, I want to share our experience comparing the two main driveway materials and what we ultimately decided to go with. If you’re looking into driveway construction in Auckland, I hope our story helps you make a better choice.

Weighing Up the Options: Concrete vs Asphalt

We started by looking at driveways in our neighbourhood — some had a clean, white concrete finish, while others had that classic black asphalt look. Both seemed fine at first glance. But the more we dug into the pros and cons, the more we saw differences.

Here’s what we discovered:

• Concrete

  • Strong and durable — can last over 30 years

  • Low maintenance once installed

  • Longer curing time (up to a week before use)

  • Higher upfront cost

• Asphalt

  • Quicker to install — usually ready in 1–2 days

  • Lower initial cost, especially for large areas

  • Requires resealing every 3–5 years

  • Can soften in very hot weather

For us, the appeal of concrete was its long lifespan and clean finish. But the price was significantly higher. Asphalt seemed more budget-friendly, and the fast turnaround was tempting.

What We Chose — And Why

After getting quotes and speaking with local driveway specialists, we decided to go with asphalt. It wasn’t an easy decision, but for our mid-sized suburban driveway, it just made more sense.

Here’s what helped us decide:

• We needed quick access to the driveway (we have one car and no on-street parking).

• The slope of our driveway was mild, so asphalt worked well.

• A good contractor showed us how to maintain it properly so it lasts.

The crew we hired handled everything — site prep, base laying, compacting, and surfacing — in just two days. We were using the driveway by the weekend.

How It’s Holding Up

It’s been several months, and we’re happy with the result. The surface is smooth, the water drains properly, and it’s easy to clean. We know we’ll need to reseal it in a few years, but that’s a fair trade-off for the savings upfront.

We’ve spoken with neighbours who went with concrete and are also happy — especially those who had patterned or coloured designs added. But for us, asphalt was the practical choice.

Advice If You’re Still Deciding

If you’re not sure which material to choose, here are a few tips:

• Think about how soon you need it completed.

• Consider long-term maintenance costs, not just installation.

• Check if your area is prone to heat or heavy rain.

• Talk to a contractor who specialises in driveway construction in Auckland — they’ll know what works best for your site.

Also, ask for examples of recent jobs. Seeing the final result in real life makes a big difference when choosing finishes.

When it comes to building a new driveway, choosing between concrete and asphalt can be tricky. Both have their strengths, but the right choice depends on your property, timeline, and budget. We chose asphalt for our Auckland home, and we’re glad we did — but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. If you’re planning driveway construction in Auckland, get expert advice, compare your options, and choose what fits your home and lifestyle best.