How to Pave a Dirt Road

Dirt roads are much less safe than paved roads and more prone to slips in bad weather.

Dirt roads can often be safety hazards with large chunks of debris forming from compressed soil, and mud forming from rain. Paving dirt roads makes the road smoother and much less prone to accidents. The paving of a dirt road requires well mixed asphalt and the proper mechanism to spread the asphalt. Larger jobs for long stretches of road will require heavy machinery, while driveways or small roads can be paved with a wheel barrow and some hand tools.

Things You'll Need

• Steam roller
• Premixed asphalt mix
• Asphalt hand tools
• Wheel barrow
• Cement truck

Instructions

1. Flatten the land with a steam roller. The asphalt must be spread on even flat ground or it will shift and break. Drive the steam roller slowly over the dirt road in first gear and with very little pressure on the gas pedal.

2. Empty a package of premixed asphalt into a wheel barrow. Add the prescribed amount of water stated on the packaging. Mix the asphalt with a spreading hand tool. Tip the wheel barrow forward slightly to pour the asphalt onto the edge of the dirt road.

3. Use a cement truck filled with premixed asphalt if the stretch of road is over a quarter mile instead of a wheel barrow. Use the pour mechanism on the back of the truck to lay the asphalt.

4. Spread the asphalt around even and flat with the hand tools. Allow the asphalt to dry in small 6-foot patches, one at a time before continuing.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear protective gloves when handling asphalt mixes.

• Wear face masks to prevent fumes from asphalt to affect the workers.

• These directions are simplified for ease of use.

References

• RIding On a Penny: Paving
• Real Estate Agents: Asphalt Paving