Formula & constants
Pavement condition drops slowly, then accelerates. Crack type reveals the cause: transverse cracks are thermal, longitudinal usually joint-related, block cracking indicates binder aging, and alligator cracking means fatigue failure from the base up. Repair cost rises roughly fourfold once condition falls below satisfactory. All default values are editable — when your supplier's data sheet or local code says otherwise, use that number.
Where this fits in your project
This tool is one step in a bigger job. Once you have these numbers, sealcoat vs replace calculator (Sealcoat vs Replace Calculator), then pavement maintenance budget estimate tool (Pavement Maintenance Budget Calculator). For the full sequence see the project workflows, compare approaches on the comparison pages, and check local factors in the state guides.
Frequently asked questions
What does alligator cracking mean?
Fatigue failure originating in the base, not the surface. Wheel loads have flexed the pavement past its structural capacity. Overlaying without addressing the base reflects the same pattern through within a season or two.
How long does asphalt pavement last?
Fifteen to twenty years with consistent maintenance, thirty or more for well-built roads under lighter loading. Neglected pavement in freeze-thaw climates can fail in ten.
What is a pavement condition index?
A 0–100 score summarising distress type, severity and extent. Above 85 is good and needs only preventive work; below about 40 surface treatments are no longer economical and overlay or reconstruction is indicated.
Does drainage really affect pavement life?
More than almost any other factor. Standing water enters cracks, saturates the base and destroys its load-carrying capacity — poor drainage can halve service life regardless of surface quality.
When should I overlay instead of patching?
When condition has dropped to the fair-to-poor range and distress is widespread rather than isolated. At that point patching becomes a treadmill and an overlay resets the surface economically — provided the base is intact.
Last verified: — See our methodology.
Planning estimates only — confirm quantities with suppliers and local code before ordering.