We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

How Often Should I Replace a Driveway?

By Erin J. Hill
Updated Feb 15, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

There is no definitive number of years you should wait before you should replace a driveway. It will mainly depend on the materials used to build it and the condition the driveway is in. If there is no damage and the driveway is in good working order, then you may never have to do a full replacement.

Concrete and asphalt driveways are among the most durable, although sand and dirt varieties often last for years without problems as well. In most cases there is little need to entirely replace a driveway. Cracks can be filled and fill dirt can be replaced to cover holes or dips in the surface. For this reason, there is no general time line for driveway replacement because it so rarely needs to be done.

Some instances may require you to fully replace a driveway, such as when a large portion is damaged. You may also decide to move the driveway to another location by digging it up and laying a new one. Alternatively, you may decide you want to replace a driveway using a different material to enhance the look of your home or landscape. These are all personal preferences, though, and are not necessarily needed.

You may have to make regular repairs to your driveway, although this is a far cry from fully replacing it. Concrete and asphalt eventually may get cracks and stains which will need to be mended. A professional can be hired to do this, or you can do it yourself using a concrete mixture to patch the area. Just be mindful that when done incorrectly, the cracks are likely to return fairly quickly.

A driveway may need to be replaced if it was very poorly constructed. You may get clues that this is the case if the driveway cracks frequently within the first few years, despite frequent repairs. When this happens, you may have to remove the existing materials and have an entirely new driveway installed. This is relatively unlikely to occur, as most driveways can be repaired sufficiently for proper working order and visual appeal without a full replacement.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.