If you live on Long Island, you already know the winters can be brutal. Between freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and the salt trucks rolling through every neighborhood from Garden City to Syosset, your driveway takes a serious beating every year. Choosing the right material is not just about looks — it is about durability, safety, and long-term value. In this guide, we break down the most popular driveway materials and how each one holds up to a Long Island winter.
How Long Island Weather Affects Your Driveway
Long Island experiences a full cycle of freeze-thaw conditions from November through March. Water seeps into small cracks during rain and snowmelt, then expands as it freezes overnight. Over a single winter, this cycle can repeat dozens of times. Add in the abrasive effects of road salt, the scraping of snow plows, and the weight of packed ice, and you have a recipe for rapid driveway deterioration — unless you choose a material built for the job.
Asphalt Driveways
Asphalt is one of the most popular driveway choices across Nassau and Suffolk counties, and for good reason. Its dark color absorbs heat from the sun, helping snow and ice melt faster than lighter surfaces. Asphalt is also slightly flexible, which means it handles the expansion and contraction of freeze-thaw cycles better than rigid materials. Small cracks and potholes are relatively easy and inexpensive to patch, so winter damage does not have to turn into a major expense. With proper sealcoating every two to three years, an asphalt driveway can last 20 years or more on Long Island.
Concrete Driveways
Concrete is extremely durable and offers a clean, polished appearance that many Long Island homeowners prefer. However, it is a rigid material, which makes it more vulnerable to cracking during freeze-thaw cycles. Chemical deicers — especially those containing magnesium chloride — can cause surface scaling and spalling over time. The good news is that well-installed concrete driveways with proper expansion joints and a quality sealant can minimize these issues. If you choose concrete, make sure your contractor uses air-entrained concrete mix, which is specifically designed to resist freeze-thaw damage.
Paver Driveways
Interlocking pavers are arguably the best-performing driveway material for Long Island winters. Because each paver is an individual unit, the surface can flex with ground movement without cracking. The joints between pavers allow excellent water drainage, reducing the amount of standing water that can freeze and cause damage. If a single paver does crack or shift, you can replace just that piece rather than tearing up the whole driveway. Pavers are also highly resistant to salt damage and come in a wide range of styles, colors, and patterns that boost curb appeal year-round.
Gravel Driveways
Gravel is the most budget-friendly option and provides natural drainage that prevents water from pooling and freezing. However, gravel driveways come with significant winter drawbacks. Snow plows tend to scatter gravel across your lawn, and you will likely need to replenish material every spring. Ice can form between stones, creating an uneven and slippery surface. Gravel works best for long rural driveways in eastern Long Island where aesthetics are less of a concern and budgets are tight.
Heated Driveways: The Luxury Option
For homeowners in Rockville Centre, Garden City, and other upscale Long Island communities, radiant heated driveways are becoming an increasingly popular upgrade. A network of hydronic tubes or electric heating cables is installed beneath the driveway surface — typically under pavers or concrete — to melt snow and ice automatically. While the upfront cost is significantly higher, a heated driveway eliminates the need for shoveling, salting, and plowing entirely. It also removes the chemical and mechanical wear that shortens the life of traditional driveways.
Best Material by Situation
- Best on a budget: Asphalt delivers solid winter performance at the lowest installed cost for a paved surface.
- Best for luxury homes: Interlocking pavers with a radiant heat system offer unmatched durability and curb appeal.
- Best for heavy traffic: Concrete with air-entrained mix and proper joints handles frequent vehicle loads without rutting.
- Best curb appeal: Pavers give you the widest range of design options and maintain their appearance through harsh winters.
Winter Maintenance Tips for Any Driveway
No matter which material you choose, proper winter maintenance will extend the life of your driveway and keep your family safe. Follow these best practices throughout the cold months.
- Shovel or plow promptly after snowfall to prevent ice from bonding to the surface.
- Use calcium chloride or sand instead of rock salt, which is harsher on concrete and pavers.
- Avoid metal-edged snow shovels on concrete and paver surfaces to prevent chipping.
- Fill any cracks before winter arrives so water cannot seep in and expand during freezes.
- Schedule a professional sealcoating or sealing treatment in late summer or early fall.
Keep an Eye on Drainage
Poor drainage is the number one cause of winter driveway damage on Long Island. Make sure your driveway slopes away from your home and that gutters and downspouts are not depositing water directly onto the surface. If you notice puddles forming after rain, it is time to address the grading before the next freeze.
Get a Free Driveway Consultation
Brothers Paving & Masonry has been helping Long Island homeowners choose and install the right driveway materials for decades. Whether you are leaning toward asphalt, concrete, or pavers, our team can assess your property, discuss your budget, and recommend the best solution for your home. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation estimate — and get your driveway ready before next winter.