Homeowner guide
Asphalt cares about temperature more than the calendar. Get the timing right and your driveway lasts 20-plus years. Get it wrong and you are looking at ravelling and cracks inside the first two seasons.
Hot mix asphalt needs to be placed and compacted while it is still hot. Ambient temperature should be above 50 degrees and rising, with no rain in the forecast for 24 hours. Ground temperature matters too. Cold ground pulls heat out of the mix before the roller can finish compacting it.
March to April
Risky. Ground may still be cold or frozen. Wait unless your contractor confirms base temps are right.
May to June
Prime window. Warm enough for proper compaction, dry enough to avoid delays.
July to August
Peak season. Book early. Contractor calendars fill 4 to 8 weeks out.
September to October
Strong window in most regions. Last good shot before cool weather sets in.
November to February
Avoid in cold climates. Mix cools too fast to compact. Quality drops sharply.