Tar & Chip Paving Services (Chip Seal)
Tar and chip is a driveway surface that bonds hot liquid asphalt with crushed stone aggregate, producing a textured finish with strong traction and a natural look. Uniform Paving & Sealcoating installs tar and chip driveways across Western North Carolina and North Georgia, including the Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Dahlonega, and Ellijay areas. The Harrison family has paved in these mountains across four generations. Free estimates are available. Call 855-817-0786.
What Is a Tar and Chip Driveway?
A tar and chip driveway is built by spraying a layer of hot liquid asphalt over a prepared base, then spreading crushed stone over it and compacting the stone into the asphalt while it is still hot. The result is a durable, textured surface that locks the stone in place. It is also called chip seal or tar and chip seal, and people in the mountains often use those terms interchangeably.
The finish looks more like a natural stone road than a smooth black driveway, which is why it suits rural properties, cabins, and mountain homes so well. The exposed stone also gives tires more to grip, an advantage that matters on the steep grades common across Western NC and North Georgia.
Tar and Chip vs Asphalt: Which Is Right for Your Driveway?
Tar and chip and asphalt each suit different properties. Tar and chip costs less up front, grips better on slopes, and has a textured, natural appearance. Asphalt gives a smooth surface, lasts longer with regular sealcoating, and handles heavy daily traffic better. The right choice depends on your grade, how much traffic the driveway sees, and the look you want.
Uniform Paving looks at your driveway in person before recommending one. On a long mountain driveway with a good gravel base, tar and chip often makes the most sense. On a flat suburban drive that sees heavy traffic, asphalt may be the better long-term value.
Services Available
New Tar and Chip Driveways
Uniform Paving installs tar and chip over a prepared base on new and existing driveways. A compacted gravel or crusher-run base is ideal, and many rural properties already have one in place. The crew checks the base, the drainage, and the slope before installation, because all three affect how long the surface holds up on mountain terrain.
Tar and Chip Over Existing Gravel
If your gravel driveway has a stable, compacted base, tar and chip can be applied directly over it. This is one of the most common requests from property owners across North Georgia and Western NC who want to upgrade a gravel drive without the cost of full asphalt. Uniform Paving confirms the base is solid and addresses any drainage issues before the surface goes down.
Tar and Chip Over Existing Asphalt
Tar and chip can also be applied over an older asphalt driveway that still has a sound base, restoring the surface and improving traction without full repaving. The crew inspects the asphalt for structural cracking first, since the base has to be solid for the new surface to last.
Repair and Recoating
A tar and chip driveway can be refreshed with another coat rather than torn out and replaced. Adding a new layer of stone and binder extends the life of the driveway and restores the surface. Uniform Paving assesses worn tar and chip surfaces and recommends repair or recoating based on the condition of the base.
Grading and Drainage
Proper grading and drainage are part of any tar and chip project on mountain ground, where water runoff is the main threat to a driveway’s life. Uniform Paving handles grading, drainage work, and base preparation as part of the job rather than leaving it to the property owner.
Why Uniform Paving
Uniform Paving & Sealcoating, LLC has paved across the Southeast under four generations of the Harrison family and has operated as a formal company since 2006. The company holds BBB accreditation in North Carolina since 2020 and in Georgia since 2012, and is HomeAdvisor Screened and Approved. Every job is fully insured, and the company provides free estimates. Leonard Harrison oversees operations directly, and Uniform Paving does not subcontract its core paving work to outside crews.
Tar & Chip + HOA/Private Road Questions
Tar and chip vs asphalt, which is better for my driveway?
Tar and chip and asphalt each suit different properties. Tar and chip costs less, gives better traction on slopes, and has a textured, natural look that fits rural and mountain settings. Asphalt is smoother, lasts longer with sealcoating, and handles heavy daily traffic better. Uniform Paving looks at your grade, traffic, and existing surface before recommending one. Call 855-817-0786 for a free estimate.
Can you put tar and chip over my existing gravel driveway?
Yes, if the gravel base is compacted and stable. Tar and chip works well over a solid gravel foundation, which many rural and mountain driveways already have. Uniform Paving checks the base and drainage first, since both affect how the surface holds up. Call 855-817-0786 to schedule an assessment.
Can you put tar and chip over an old asphalt driveway?
Yes. Tar and chip can be applied over existing asphalt that still has a sound base, which restores the surface without the cost of full repaving. Uniform Paving inspects the asphalt for structural cracking before recommending this approach. Call 855-817-0786 for a free estimate.
Is tar and chip good for a steep driveway?
Yes. The crushed stone surface of tar and chip gives better traction than smooth asphalt, which makes it a practical choice for steep mountain driveways. It is a common request from property owners in Western North Carolina and North Georgia where grade and slope are a concern. Call Uniform Paving at 855-817-0786 to discuss your driveway.
Will UTVs or golf carts damage a tar and chip surface?
Normal UTV and golf cart use does not damage a properly installed tar and chip surface. The crushed stone is locked into the asphalt binder and stands up to regular vehicle traffic, including turning and braking. Heavy or repeated sharp turning in one spot causes the most wear, which is true of any surface. Uniform Paving installs tar and chip across Western NC and North Georgia.
How long does a tar and chip driveway last?
A tar and chip driveway typically lasts 7 to 10 years before it needs a fresh coat, depending on traffic, drainage, and how well the base was prepared. Adding another layer extends its life rather than requiring full replacement. Uniform Paving can assess an existing tar and chip surface and recommend repair or recoating. Call 855-817-0786.
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost?
Tar and chip cost depends on the length and width of the driveway, the condition of the existing base, and any grading or drainage work needed first. Tar and chip generally costs less than new asphalt. Uniform Paving provides free, no-obligation estimates. Call 855-817-0786 or visit uniformpaving.com.
Where We Work
Western North Carolina including Hendersonville, Franklin, Highlands, Glenville, Murphy, Sylva, Waynesville, and Brevard. North Georgia including Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Blairsville, Dahlonega, Jasper, and Morganton. East Tennessee including Chattanooga and Athens. Northern Alabama.
Call (855) 817-0786 or use the contact form to schedule a free site visit. We do not quote tar and chip work over the phone. The site conditions determine the scope and the price. Both require eyes on the ground.