Gravel has become a popular choice for driveway and courtyard and is becoming increasingly popular for outdoor gardens. The benefits are numerous these days and the cost is minimal. So, how can you choose the right type of gravel for your driveways, patios, greens, walkways and other outdoor areas? More than a few factors need to be considered.
Are you looking at asphalt driveway paving options for your home? Maybe you’re thinking of a concrete driveway, or even a retaining wall. If so, you’re in luck, as there are a number of different paving materials available and you’ll find that asphalt millings pavements are a cost-effective option that give you a look and feel that your neighbors envy.
Asphalt is a popular choice when it comes to driveway materials. However, there are also many other options available for a driveway, including: gravel, cobblestone, slate, or flagstone.
Here we share our asphalt millings driveway guide including what is, how much they cost, the different types, the differences over gravel, how to harden and seal one, and where to buy. 
Asphalt millings are a practical and inexpensive way to layout or restore your driveway much more if you use the recycled gravel from asphalt pavements. These are cost-efficient loose pavement that can act as your gravel bed when you plan to upgrade your driveway in the future.
Learn more about asphalt millings and how they may be used as a driveway material, as well as why they are a better option than gravel and other pavement materials.
What Are Asphalt Millings and How Do They Work?
Asphalt millings, also known as pavement millings or asphalt gravel, are a ground-up type of asphalt with a particle size of less than an inch. The pavement millings mostly come from road projects when the top layer of material is removed to repair or enhance the hardscape surface.
Asphalt makes up the majority of the removed surface. Other quarry materials such as stone, rock, silt, and sand use it as a binder.
It is a constant supply of recycled and reused material used in repaving roads, with 45 million tons of asphalt millings generated each year. Other hardscape surfaces for driveways for houses, businesses, and government projects are also made of it. Learn more about the many kinds of driveways in our guide.
The bituminous material may be recycled many times and has the same life expectancy as fresh asphalt, which is approximately 20 years on average.
The recycling and repaving technique used to remove the top layer of an asphalt hardscape without interfering with the sub-base is known as asphalt milling (process).
Cost of Asphalt Millings
The price of asphalt millings varies between $7.80 and $11.90. Meanwhile, HomeAdvisor shows prices ranging from $7 to $60, with the lower the cost the greater the proportion of RAP (Recycled Asphalt Pavement). The supplier and the method utilized may have a considerable impact on the pricing.
Cost of Asphalt Millings Per Ton
Asphalt millings cost per ton, according to the Federal Highway Administration of the United States Department of Transportation:
RAP of 50% for $7.80
RAP is 40% at $8.62.
RAP of 30% for $9.44
RAP is 20% and costs $10.26.
RAP is 0% at $11.90.
*Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement, or RAP, refers to asphalt and aggregate-based pavement materials that have been reprocessed.
Depending on the thickness of your hardscape, the quantity of coverage per ton varies. The thickness of your asphalt millings is determined by the purpose.
Another thing to think about is the roller’s weight and size. Your asphalt millings will be more compact if you use a heavier roller.
HL3 commercial, HL3 fine, HL3, and HL1 are the different types of asphalt. For residential usage, two to two and a half inches thick is typical, with one ton of asphalt millings covering 80 to 100 square feet.
Different types of asphalt millings for driveways
Crushed recycled asphalt millings In rebuilding or resurfacing, screened asphalt derived from hardscapes is used. The black gravel is typically crushed to a consistent size of 12 inches or less, making it ideal for driveways.
Because of its superior traction, durability, and cost-effectiveness, asphalt milling is an excellent alternative to gravel. The long-lasting asphalt milling gravel also works well in a variety of weather situations.
Instead of the jet-black hue of asphalt, the recycled form of asphalt pavements has a more grey tint. Learn more about the many kinds of gravel in our guide.
Gravel vs. Asphalt Millings
Grind asphalt is a great alternative to gravel, but there are several peculiarities to keep in mind.
Adaptability to Changes in Weather. You won’t have any cracks or fractures in your driveway pavement since asphalt millings and gravel are both loose pavement materials. However, when compared to the two materials, asphalt millings function better in a variety of weather situations.
When coated in snow, these pavement millings melt quicker, do not flow readily during floods, and prevent water pooling.
Stability and Longevity Asphalt millings driveways harden over time and only become more compact when pressure is applied, while gravel driveways may sink into the soil after usage or readily runoff during a flash flood.
Both asphalt millings and gravel are tough materials in terms of durability. Gravel may break apart under extreme pressure, while asphalt millings will bind and compress because the bituminous material maintains its oils and tar.
Costs up front. Gravel driveways usually cost between $1.25 and $1.80 per square foot to install, while asphalt driveways may cost anywhere from $2 to $5 per square foot. As a result, these materials are the most cost-effective driveway materials available.
Cost-Efficiency. While gravel is somewhat less expensive than asphalt millings, the latter is the most cost-effective material since it can be reused and recycled many times.
Furthermore, since asphalt millings produce a highly solid driveway surface, there’s no need for frequent repair and no need to worry about surface runoff during floods or dust during the dry months.
Maintenance. Weeds, dirt, and debris may become caught between the gravel stones, necessitating regular cleaning. Although there are pesticides available to inhibit weed growth, regeneration is inevitable, particularly during the wet season.
Meanwhile, since asphalt millings collect less trash over time, weeds are less likely to develop on your driveway. Both do not need refinishing or resurfacing, but owing to material runoff or displacement, they will require replacement and leveling.
Performance on the surface. Gravel may create ruts or holes in your driveway, so you’ll need to re-trowel the gravel stones often to maintain an equal surface. Asphalt millings have a proclivity towards bending.
On the other hand, since the bituminous material tends to bind together and further compress when adequate pressure is applied over time, they have a stronger traction grip between your tires and with less displacement. When subjected to high heat, asphalt millings may melt.
Longevity. With appropriate care, both gravel and asphalt millings may last a lifetime. Although, since gravel may imbed itself to the ground or be moved owing to water runoff, you’ll need to replenish your gravel driveway every 2 to 3 years.
You’ll require less replenishing and troweling the surface with asphalt millings, and you’ll be able to use your driveway all year, but you’ll need to compress it every five years.
Learn more about the differences between asphalt and gravel driveways.
How to Make Asphalt Millings Harder
Your asphalt millings, unlike your Hot Mix Asphalt, are placed without the use of heat. The millings of asphalt may be placed and cured at room temperature. However, a compactor or steamroller is employed to guarantee a sturdy driveway.
However, before choosing to utilize asphalt millings for your driveway project, be sure to verify your community’s housing laws, which may limit or prohibit the usage of asphalt millings.
A contractor would usually start with a 25-ton pneumatic-tired roller and then go on to a 12-ton or bigger drum vibratory roller. To avoid sticking, the roller drums are typically moist before being driven through your asphalt millings.
Driveway Sealer with Asphalt Millings
A little quantity of diesel sprayed over your new asphalt milling driveway can soften the oils in the asphalt and assist the granules bond together, which is an option for DIYers.
Chip seal mix is sprayed over your asphalt driveway every two or three years by contractors.
Before sealing up your driveway, you may add another layer of recycled asphalt millings that is about 1.25 inches thick.
Where Can I Purchase Asphalt Millings?
Asphalt millings may be purchased from landscaping businesses, recycling centers, paving companies, gravel shops, and asphalt manufacturing facilities, with delivery costs varying based on your region.
Pavement services are available from certain companies, and they may help you choose asphalt millings for your driveway. Check with your local government to see if there are any tax credits or incentives for utilizing recycled asphalt pavement in your region.
On this page, you may find more relevant information in our post on concrete driveway finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need gravel under asphalt millings?
Gravel is not needed under asphalt millings.
What do you put under asphalt millings?
Asphalt millings are a type of pavement that is laid over an asphalt surface. The millings are typically placed in the joints between the asphalt and concrete surfaces, or where there is a change in elevation.
Are asphalt grindings good for driveways?
Yes, asphalt grindings are good for driveways.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- asphalt millings near me
- how to harden asphalt millings
- recycled asphalt driveway installation
- free asphalt millings near me
- how to make recycled asphalt hard
