In a recent cost analysis done by the City of Roseville in California, data shows that a project’s first cost is lower when paving roads with concrete in lieu of asphalt. In fact, costs of concrete roads are lower than asphalt over the entire lifespan of the road.
Three categories of roads are determined: residential, collector, and arterial, with arterial bearing the heaviest use. The difference in life-cycle cost between concrete and asphalt is greatest for the high traffic arterial roads, and initial costs are up to 35% less than asphalt. On a per-mile basis, concrete is far more cost effective than asphalt.

“During the 70‐year design life for an HMA road, on average it costs $217,255 more than a concrete alternative per lane mile.”  It is worth noting that this analysis did not factor in concrete’s actual lifespan of 85 years.

Whether Roller-Compacted-Concrete (RCC) or Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) is used, the outcome favors concrete.  To learn more, here is a video from the City of Roseville highlighting the benefits of concrete.

Source: California Nevada Cement Association