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Driveway Extensions and Widening in Montgomery, AL
More cars, a boat, a camper or a teenager with a license: plenty of reasons to add to a driveway. The hard part is joining new asphalt to old and keeping the water moving.
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Common Reasons to Extend or Widen
- A second or third vehicle that has nowhere to park off the street
- A turnaround, so nobody has to back out onto a busy road
- A parking pad beside the garage or by the house for guests
- Space for a boat, trailer, camper or work vehicle
- A wider approach so cars can pass or turn easily
- A walkway or basketball area attached to the driveway
The Challenge: Joining New to Old
New asphalt does not bond to old asphalt the way a layer of fresh asphalt does when it is laid in one pour. The joint between the old driveway and the extension is a weak point. A good company handles it carefully, often by cutting a clean straight edge on the old driveway, applying a tack coat or sealant, and compacting the new asphalt tightly against the old.
Even a well-built joint may show as a line. Expect the color difference between old gray and new black until the new surface weathers. Some homeowners resurface the whole driveway at the same time so the finished surface looks uniform. Read our resurfacing page to see if that makes sense for you.
Planning Considerations
Base and soil
The extension needs its own proper base. Grass and topsoil have to come out, and soft areas have to be fixed before stone and asphalt go in.
Drainage
More pavement means more runoff. The extension should shed water in a way that does not flood the yard, the house or the neighbor.
Grade
The extension should meet the existing driveway at a compatible height and slope, with no lips or dips.
Property lines and rules
Check setbacks, easements, utility locations, homeowner association rules and any local limits on paved area or driveway width before you commit.
Utilities and trees
Buried lines, meters, septic fields and tree roots can all limit where you can build or add cost to the job.
Traffic
If the extension will carry a boat trailer or a heavy vehicle, tell the company so the base and thickness can be planned accordingly.
Clay, Heat and Water
Alabama Extension notes that clayey Black Belt prairie soils in the Montgomery area swell in wet weather and shrink in dry weather, forming large cracks. If your lot has clay soils, extra attention to drainage and base preparation is worthwhile protection for the new section. Add to that the heat. Montgomery averages roughly 78 days a year at 90 degrees or higher by the long-term norm, so avoid parking heavy loads or boat trailer tongues on fresh asphalt in the first hot months.
The Process
- Plan and mark. The company marks the footprint, checks grades and drainage and locates utilities.
- Prepare the existing edge. The old edge is cut clean where the extension will join.
- Excavate and build the base. Soil is removed, soft spots are fixed and a compacted stone base is placed.
- Pave and compact. Hot mix is placed against the prepared edge and rolled to planned compacted thickness.
- Finish. Edges are supported, the surface is checked for drainage and the site is cleaned.
Questions worth asking: how will you handle the joint, how will water drain, what is the base and compacted thickness, and what does the warranty cover. Our cost factors guide explains what changes the scope of a job, and you can request a quote.
Questions to Ask About an Extension
- How will you join the new asphalt to the old, and will the seam be sealed?
- What will the base and compacted thickness be under the new section?
- How will water drain from the extension, and where will it end up?
- Do I need a permit or approval from my city, county or homeowner association?
- How will you protect the existing driveway, the lawn and any buried lines?
- Would resurfacing the whole driveway give a more uniform result?
Common Questions
Will the new section match the old driveway?
Not at first. New asphalt is black and old asphalt fades to gray, so the extension will stand out until it weathers. Some homeowners resurface the whole driveway to get a uniform look.
Can I widen my driveway without a permit?
It depends on your city, county and any homeowner association. Check local rules on width, setbacks and paved area before you build.
Does the extension need its own base?
Yes. New pavement needs prepared subgrade and a compacted stone base, just like a new driveway.
Nearby Communities
We route requests from Montgomery and the surrounding area. Pick your town, or see the full service area list.
Ready for a Driveway You Will Like Coming Home To?
Call or send a request. We will route it to an independent, insured local company that paves driveways in the Montgomery area.