Paving Solutions for Rural Properties in Chicagoland

Chicagoland is one of those unique areas of the country where if you drive for 30 minutes, you can easily go from a business district to residential suburban to unincorporated properties to farmland. With Pave Tech’s wide service area covering most of the northwestern, western, and southwestern suburbs of Chicago, our customers’ paving needs are not cookie cutter.

What we’ve realized over the years is that customers whose properties are rural or unincorporated may not know that gravel is not their only option for a driveway or parking pad. Tar & chip is another great solution that may be worth considering, depending upon budget and long-term goals. Let’s talk about the options available if you have a rural property (or even just a really long driveway!).

Gravel

We are all familiar with gravel. It’s a mixture of small, mostly rounded, fragments of rock. When used as a road, driveway, or parking surface, a base layer of sand and small rocks is compacted prior to spreading gravel to provide the proper structure. You often see gravel used on farms thanks to its durability and strength – heavy machinery and fully loaded semis are no match for gravel (in fact, they almost improve the surface, as their weight further compacts the base).

Gravel is relatively inexpensive to install, particularly when you consider the average surface area of the driveway or lane. It’s also quite easy to maintain – simply adding a new layer of gravel every 2-3 years keeps the driveway looking fresh and cuts down on the dust that is often considered one of the biggest negatives to having a gravel driveway. With just that little bit of maintenance, a gravel driveway or lane can easily last for 20-30 years (or longer!).

Water is typically not your driveway’s friend, but it is no big deal with gravel. Since gravel is made entirely of organic materials, it is fully permeable, meaning water easily returns to the ground with very little effect on the surface. That said, if a low spot develops on a gravel surface, it will tend to hold water a little longer before draining, and further erosion can happen more quickly. That’s why it is important to ensure the company laying the driveway initially is well-versed in laying gravel so the base is very sturdy and the chance of developing low spots is diminished. Should a low spot develop, it is a good idea to regrade sooner rather than later.

Tar & Chip

Tar and chip is a lesser-known surface option than gravel, but it is a fantastic solution if you have a long or wide driveway but really prefer the look of asphalt. With tar & chip, we lay the liquid first, add stone bits and/or gravel, then compact the surface. The materials combine to create a textured surface that functions similarly to asphalt – at a lower-cost!

Like gravel, tar & chip is very durable, so it is a great option for driveways that get a workout with trucks, farm equipment, or other heavy machinery. It is also skid-resistant thanks to the stone particles used, so you will get better traction in winter weather than you would on traditional asphalt (and let’s be honest – no one wants to shovel a long driveway or lay that much salt).

When it comes to maintenance, tar & chip is a clear winner. It does not require annual sealing like asphalt, and it doesn’t even need a new layer every few years like gravel. In fact, small cracks that may develop tend to self-heal thanks to the bitumen that was laid down prior to the stone/gravel and compaction. Another bonus – tar and chip is less expensive per square foot than asphalt, so when you have a lot of area to cover, it can make a significant difference on total cost.

While asphalt will always be our preference thanks to its clean look, durability, and flexibility (very important with our hot summers and cold winters!), it is not always the best option. Whether you have a long driveway, lots of heavy machinery, or your municipality’s permitting requirements restrict the materials you can use, you can still have a beautiful driveway you love. One of the best parts of our team’s experience with a variety of surfacing materials is that your estimate appointment will include a discussion about your goals and requirements so we can recommend the best solution for you. Pave Tech Asphalt is pleased to be your partner so you have all the information to make a decision you’ll be happy with for years to come.