We're ZBL Concrete & Design, a licensed contractor serving Will & DuPage County, IL — these are the prices we actually charge in the Chicago suburbs, not national averages. It's the classic driveway debate: concrete or asphalt? Both are legitimate, and as a concrete contractor I'll give you the honest comparison, including where asphalt wins.
Side by Side
| Concrete | Asphalt | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost (2027) | $13–$16 / sq ft | $7–$12 / sq ft |
| 600 sq ft driveway | $7,800–$9,600 | $4,200–$7,200 |
| Lifespan | 30–40 years | 15–20 years |
| Maintenance | Reseal every 2–3 yrs (optional, $200–$400) | Sealcoat every 2–3 yrs ($200–$400), crack fill, repave at 15–20 |
| 30-year cost (600 sq ft) | ≈ $9,000–$12,000 | ≈ $12,000–$18,000 (two installs + sealcoats) |
| Summer heat | Stays firm | Softens; tire ruts and marks at 90°F+ |
| Winter | Salt-sensitive first year; use calcium chloride | Freeze-thaw cracking; handles salt |
| Appearance | Light, clean; stamped/colored/aggregate options | Black only; fades to gray |
| Resale value | Higher; $5,000–$10,000 perceived | Lower |
| Drive on it | 30 days | 2–3 days |
Cost: Upfront vs 30 Years
Upfront cost is where asphalt wins. An asphalt driveway runs about $7 to $12 per square foot installed around here; concrete is $13 to $16 with tear-out included. For a standard 600 sq ft driveway that's roughly $4,200–$7,200 for asphalt vs $7,800–$9,600 for concrete.
Over 30 years it flips. Asphalt lasts 15 to 20 years and wants sealcoating every two to three years at $200 to $400 a time. Concrete lasts 30 to 40 years with essentially no required maintenance (we recommend a reseal every few years, but it isn't structural). By year 30 the asphalt owner has paid for two driveways and a dozen sealcoats; the concrete owner has paid once. That's the 30-year row in the table.
Durability in Illinois Weather
Illinois weather is hard on both, differently. Freeze-thaw cracks either one if the base is bad. Asphalt softens in heat — you've seen the tire ruts in July — and concrete doesn't. Concrete is more sensitive to de-icing salt, especially the first winter, so you use sand year one and calcium or magnesium chloride after that instead of rock salt.
Appearance and home value aren't close. Concrete looks cleaner and brighter, and you can add a stamped border or exposed aggregate. Real estate agents here consistently put a concrete driveway $5,000 to $10,000 ahead in perceived value.
The Verdict for Chicagoland Homeowners
Where asphalt wins: if the budget is tight and you need a driveway this month, asphalt is the cheaper way in. It's more forgiving of minor settling. And if you're selling within five years, the lower upfront cost can make sense. Those are real cases.
For most homeowners staying put, concrete costs less over the life of the driveway, looks better and adds more value. We pour driveways built to last 30-plus years with a compacted base and rebar. Not sure yours needs replacing yet? Use the winter checklist. Lockport homeowners can start on our Lockport concrete contractor page; we also pour driveways in Naperville, Plainfield, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Downers Grove and 32 communities in Will and DuPage County. Book in winter and the price is locked for spring: spring booking.
