Why the base matters in Sappington
South county sits where rolling upland gives way to hillier ground, on loess over clay. The county soil survey flags low strength and frost action for local roads and recommends adequate base plus ditches and culverts. Storm inlets do that job in a subdivision. Either way, water sitting in the base is what cracks pavement.
A cheap bid usually gets cheap somewhere you cannot see. Ask what depth of stone goes down, how thick the asphalt is after rolling, and who fixes it if water still stands.
Compacted asphaltTypically 2 to 3 in. for a car drive
Stone baseTypically 4 to 8 in., compacted
Drive on itUsually 2 to 3 days, longer in heat
First sealcoatTypically 6 to 12 months after paving
Typical ranges. Your Sappington estimate is sized to the soil, the traffic and the drainage on your property.