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No more ruts washing out after every heavy rain. No more dust clouds every time someone drives up your driveway. No more loose gravel scattered across your yard.
Tar and chip paving locks your surface in place with a durable, weather-resistant coating that actually gets stronger over time. You get the natural look of gravel with the stability of pavement—at a fraction of the cost of full asphalt replacement.
Your driveway becomes a solid, reliable surface that handles everything from daily commutes to heavy delivery trucks. And it does it while looking better than plain asphalt ever could.
TriStar Paving brings over five decades of paving expertise to Dickson and the greater Nashville area. As a veteran-owned company, we understand the value of doing things right the first time.
We’ve seen every type of driveway challenge Tennessee can throw at a property—from steep grades to heavy clay soil to extreme weather swings. That experience shows in every job we complete.
While other contractors treat tar and chip as a side service, we specialize in this technique. We know exactly how to prep your surface, apply the materials, and ensure a long-lasting result that fits your property and budget.
First, we prepare your existing surface by grading and compacting the base. Any soft spots or drainage issues get addressed before moving forward.
Next comes the hot liquid asphalt application, followed immediately by a layer of carefully selected stone chips. The chips are rolled into the asphalt while it’s still hot, creating a mechanical bond that locks everything together.
The surface is ready for light traffic within hours, not days. Within a few weeks, the asphalt cures completely and the stones settle into their final position, creating a durable surface that can handle whatever you drive on it.
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Tennessee’s climate demands a surface that can handle temperature swings, heavy rains, and occasional ice. Tar and chip paving delivers exactly that resilience.
The stone surface provides excellent traction in wet conditions—something especially important on Dickson’s rolling terrain. The asphalt base flexes with temperature changes instead of cracking like concrete, while the stone top coat reflects heat better than solid asphalt.
For rural properties and longer driveways common in the Dickson area, this translates to a surface that stays intact season after season. You’re not dealing with washouts, potholes, or expensive repairs every few years.
Properly installed tar and chip paving typically lasts 10-15 years with minimal maintenance. The longevity depends on traffic levels and proper installation techniques.
Unlike loose gravel that washes away or asphalt that cracks, the mechanical bond between the asphalt and stone creates a surface that actually improves over time. The stones settle deeper into the asphalt base, creating an increasingly stable surface.
Regular maintenance is minimal—usually just occasional resealing every 7-10 years to maintain the asphalt binder. This makes it one of the most cost-effective long-term driveway solutions available.
Yes, tar and chip paving typically costs 30-50% less than conventional asphalt paving while providing similar durability and performance.
The cost savings come from the simpler application process and the fact that you’re using less asphalt overall. Instead of a thick asphalt layer, you get a thin asphalt base with stone aggregate on top.
For longer driveways common in rural Dickson areas, this cost difference becomes even more significant. You can pave twice the area for the same budget, making it ideal for properties that need extensive driveway coverage.
In most cases, yes—existing gravel driveways provide an excellent base for tar and chip installation after proper preparation.
The key is ensuring the gravel base is properly graded and compacted. Soft spots need to be addressed, and the surface needs to be shaped for proper drainage. Any areas where gravel has washed out will need fresh material and compaction.
This ability to work with existing surfaces is another reason tar and chip is so cost-effective. Instead of removing and replacing everything, you’re building on what’s already there—when it’s suitable.
You can typically drive on tar and chip paving within 2-4 hours of installation, though full curing takes several weeks.
The initial setting happens quickly because the hot asphalt begins cooling immediately after application. Light vehicle traffic is usually fine the same day, while heavy trucks should wait 24-48 hours.
During the first few weeks, some loose stones may come off—this is normal as the surface settles. The asphalt continues to cure and harden during this period, eventually creating the final durable surface.
Tar and chip paving works well on moderate slopes but may not be suitable for very steep grades where stone displacement could occur.
For most Dickson area properties with typical driveway grades, tar and chip provides excellent traction and stability. The stone surface actually offers better grip than smooth asphalt, making it safer in wet conditions.
However, extremely steep slopes may require alternative solutions or special preparation techniques. A site evaluation can determine whether your specific grade is appropriate for tar and chip installation.
Tar and chip paving requires minimal maintenance compared to other driveway options, with occasional resealing being the primary requirement.
Normal maintenance involves keeping the surface clean of debris and addressing any drainage issues that develop around the edges. Unlike gravel driveways, you won’t need to add material or re-grade regularly.
Every 7-10 years, a fog seal application can refresh the asphalt binder and extend the surface life. This simple maintenance step costs a fraction of major repairs and keeps your driveway looking and performing like new.
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