When professionally installed, a northern Virginia homeowner can expect an asphalt driveway to give 20 to 30 years of smooth, reliable service with minimum maintenance requirements. Asphalt is an attractive, durable, cost effective paving material, but asphalt itself does not determine how long your drive will last. The key to a long-lasting asphalt drive is its subgrade. Done right, it will give you decades of trouble-free service. Done wrong and you could be looking at cracks, crumbling edges, and potholes in a year or two.