Asking for input.
We are looking at blacktopping our driveway.
Would like to hear from others, options and experiences. Recommendations.
Referrals.
Ours is southeast, 120ftish. Maybe a 7% grade.
We live up hill, only flat land is the "pad" at the top of the drive in front of the garage.
My concern is slickness in the winter. Otherwise think it would be a great improvement.
We live in Burland. We have our first bid. Its a big hit on the budget. Maybe if a group of us used the same company we could get a discount. Nice thought
Anyone interested in blacktopping their drive this summer?

Be sure to get more than one bid, there's a surprising amount of variability in prices.
A couple of years ago in Mountain Living FAQ's there was a thread about Asphalt driveways, try searching for other threads. Here's one: http://www.pinecam.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=65727

Depending on the logistics of access and working your driveway and preparation needed you might see costs as low as $2.00 per square foot to as much as $6.00 per square foot.

Try some of the larger companies that produce their own asphalt instead of a smaller ones that have to buy it somewhere. The best are Brannan Sand and Gravel, Premier Paving, Asphalt Paving company, they will give you a better job at a better price......go with at least 4 " 's compacted for a longer life up here and have it seal-coated every 3 to 5 years to maintain it's longevity...most companies sell it by the ton, or square yard

Yes, it's a bit pricey, but it will be nice. Snow melts sooner, the house is cleaner, etc.

Would recommend Evergreen Sand & Gravel. We had someone else do ours and I wished I had gone with ESG...but don't regret getting it paved.

We've just had quotes to seal the asphalt that already exists. So, without any verification of anything that anybody who bid had to say, here's what we discovered:
One man said not to coat with the RS90 coating, as it is a kerosene based and if there's a fire, it's flammable, so it's essentially putting a fire path to your home. (I'm a little skeptical about this, as I think the kerosene would evaporate, but I haven't done any research on this).

I'm realizing that the next portion will name names and be a series of opinions, so I'll just PM you.

When we hadda cabin near Tarryall, tha wife usta git bent outa shape when tha wind blew and tha dust from driveway came thu tha screens , wife would dust twice a day ,

go fer tha blacktop drive , you'll love it , it melts real fast in winter ,,

So since you have gotten a few bids, your opinion is better than what??? I call b.s. on the kerosene guy, but what do I know, I have only been a Superintendent for one of the largest asphalt companies in the state for over ten years and have built everything from small driveways to large highway projects, large commercial parking lots etc. I was listing a few of the most prominent companies in the field as a basis for competitive bids. Good luck on finding a good contractor and do your do diligence and make the best possible decision that works for you and your budget. I just would not put to much into someone who " got a bid" from someone on seal coating when you are in the market for hot mix.....good luck

You will LOVE your asphalt drive in winter IF you are willing to do this:
1) clear with snowblower from the very first snow of the season and always clear with snowblower before driving on. If you don't, then you'll have an ice luge all winter.

If you clear it, it will dry out almost immediately, especially the direction yours is facing.

That was the very first thing we did when we moved up here, pave the driveway.

We used http://hollandhurst.com/ for both of our paving projects (we had them come back the following year and grade/pave another part of the driveway to the top of the property with a turn around.