Asphalt Driveway Installation

Asphalt Driveway Installation for Sonoma, Marin & Lake County

Your driveway is one of the first things people see when they pull up to your house. A cracked, faded, or gravel driveway doesn’t do your home any favors — and a new asphalt driveway is one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make. A&L Asphalt has installed asphalt driveways across Sonoma, Marin, and Lake County for over 24 years.

Why Homeowners Choose Asphalt Driveways

Asphalt driveways cost less to install than concrete in most cases, while still holding up well to daily use. They’re also easier and cheaper to repair down the road — a cracked section of asphalt can be patched, while concrete damage is often more visible and harder to blend in. Asphalt also handles Northern California’s temperature swings well, flexing slightly instead of cracking the way rigid materials can.

How We Install a New Asphalt Driveway

Site prep and excavation

We remove any old driveway material, grass, or unsuitable soil, and grade the area so water drains properly instead of collecting near your home's foundation.

Base rock and compaction

A compacted base rock layer goes down first. This step matters more than most homeowners realize — a driveway on a weak base will crack within a year or two, no matter how nice the surface looks at first.

Asphalt application

We lay hot mix asphalt at the right thickness for a residential driveway, sized for regular passenger vehicle use.

Compaction and finishing

The asphalt gets rolled while still hot to create a smooth, even surface, with clean edges along your property line.

Curing time

We'll tell you exactly how long to wait before driving or parking on your new driveway.

Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveways

This is one of the most common questions we get. Asphalt is generally more affordable upfront, easier to patch if damaged, and performs well in our local climate. Concrete tends to last longer with less regular maintenance but costs more initially and is harder to repair invisibly if it cracks. If you're not sure which is right for your home, we also install concrete driveways and can walk you through both options honestly during your estimate.

Signs Your Driveway Needs Replacement, Not Repair

A patch or two can extend the life of a driveway with isolated damage. But full replacement usually makes more sense if cracking covers most of the surface, the driveway has multiple low spots where water pools, the edges are crumbling badly, or the driveway is old enough that the base underneath has likely failed.

What Affects the Cost of a New Asphalt Driveway

Driveway size is the biggest factor, followed by current ground condition and how much excavation is needed. A straightforward flat driveway on solid ground costs less than one requiring significant grading or a longer, wider layout. We give every homeowner a free, in-person estimate so you know the real number before deciding anything.

Why Homeowners Choose A&L Asphalt

We've installed driveways throughout Sonoma, Marin, and Lake County for over 24 years. We're licensed, bonded, and insured under Contractor License #801317. Every estimate is free, every proposal fits your actual budget, and financing is available if you need it.