Colored Asphalt Driveway: Options, Cost & How It Holds Up

Asphalt Doesn't Have to Be Black

Most people picture asphalt as one color: black. But asphalt can be colored — tinted into reds, browns, greens, and earth tones that give a driveway a custom look closer to brick, stone, or terra cotta than to a parking lot. For Oregon homeowners who want more curb appeal than standard black asphalt but more value than full pavers, colored asphalt is an option worth understanding.

It is a niche product, not a default, and it comes with a cost premium and some practical trade-offs. This guide covers how colored asphalt is actually made, what colors are realistic, what it costs relative to standard asphalt, and how it holds up in Oregon's climate. For the broader picture of driveway options, see our complete Oregon asphalt driveway guide.

How Colored Asphalt Is Made

There are two main ways to add color to an asphalt driveway, and they behave very differently.

Integrally Pigmented Asphalt

The most durable method mixes color into the asphalt itself. Iron-oxide and other mineral pigments are blended into the hot mix, sometimes alongside a clear or lightened binder that lets the pigment show (standard asphalt binder is black and masks color). Because the color runs through the full thickness of the surface, it does not wear away to reveal black underneath. This is the premium approach and gives the longest-lasting result.

Surface-Applied Color Coatings

The lower-cost route applies a pigmented coating or stain to the surface of cured asphalt. This colors the top layer only. It is less expensive and can refresh an existing driveway, but because the color sits on the surface, it wears with traffic and weather and needs periodic reapplication to stay vivid. Think of it as closer to a tinted sealcoat than a permanent color.

What Colors Are Realistic

Color options depend on the method and the pigments used. Common choices include:

• Earthy reds and terra cotta — the most popular, evoking brick or clay pavers
• Browns and tans — warm, natural tones that blend with landscaping
• Greens and muted grays — softer, less common, more contemporary
• Charcoal and near-black — a refined alternative to standard black

Keep expectations grounded: pigmented asphalt produces rich, muted, earthy tones rather than bright, saturated colors. The aggregate and binder influence the final shade, and the same pigment can look slightly different from one mix to another. A sample panel before committing is always wise.

Colored Asphalt vs. Standard Black: Cost

Industry baseline comparison. Colored asphalt carries a premium that varies by method, color, and project. A site-specific quote governs.

Option	Relative Cost vs. Standard Black	Color Durability
Standard black asphalt	Baseline	N/A
Surface color coating	Modest premium	Wears; needs reapplication
Integrally pigmented asphalt	Significant premium	Color runs through; long-lasting
Stamped + colored asphalt	Highest premium	Decorative; see stamped guide

Colored asphalt costs more than standard black because of the pigment, sometimes a special binder, and added care in mixing and placement. Integrally pigmented work commands the larger premium; surface coatings are cheaper but trade durability for the savings. For where standard pricing starts, see our asphalt driveway cost in Oregon guide. If you want pattern as well as color, our stamped asphalt driveways guide covers the decorative combination.

How Colored Asphalt Holds Up in Oregon

The structural performance of colored asphalt is essentially the same as black asphalt — the base, thickness, and drainage still determine how long the driveway lasts. What changes is the appearance over time.

• UV and weather fading. All pigments fade somewhat under sun and weather. Integrally pigmented asphalt fades more gracefully because the color is throughout; surface coatings fade faster and need refreshing.
• Oregon's overcast climate is, if anything, gentler on color than intense high-UV environments, which works in the homeowner's favor.
• Maintenance. Colored driveways benefit from the same sealcoating and crack-filling schedule as any asphalt, with the note that some color sealers are used to maintain or refresh the tone. Our driveway maintenance schedule applies, with color upkeep added.

The key point: a colored driveway is not more fragile structurally, but it does ask for a bit more cosmetic upkeep to keep looking its best, especially with surface-applied color.

Is Colored Asphalt Right for Your Home?

Colored asphalt makes the most sense when you want a custom, upscale look but pavers are out of budget or impractical, or when you want the driveway to complement a specific architectural style or landscape. It sits in the middle ground: more visual interest than plain black, less cost and maintenance than a full paver installation.

It makes less sense if you are purely cost-focused — standard black asphalt delivers the same durability for less — or if you want bright, saturated color that asphalt pigments simply cannot produce. As with any specialty finish, the right move is to see samples, understand the premium, and weigh it against alternatives. We are happy to walk through the options and provide a free quote for colored, stamped, or standard asphalt.