Caliche is a natural cemented soil, light in color and common in dry Texas. Road base is graded crushed rock that packs tight and drains. Asphalt millings are ground-up old asphalt that roll into a firm, dark surface. Any of them can make a good road or drive. What decides whether it lasts is the base under it and how the water gets off it.
What each one is
- Caliche. "A shallow layer of soil or sediment in which the particles have been cemented together", usually by calcium carbonate, common in arid and semiarid areas (Geology.com).
- Road base. Crushed rock graded from coarse to fine, so it packs tight. Often called flex base.
- Asphalt millings. Old asphalt ground up when roads are resurfaced, sometimes called recycled asphalt or RAP.
Side by side
| Material | Look | Where it fits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caliche | Light, chalky | Ranch roads and drives where it is locally available | Needs a good crown and drainage, or it softens and ruts when wet |
| Road base | Gray or tan crushed rock | Roads and drives that need to drain and carry weight | Loose gravel on top rolls on slopes and turns |
| Asphalt millings | Dark, like worn asphalt | Driveways, parking areas and heavier ranch roads | Quality varies by load. Needs rolling to lock together |
A San Antonio millings supplier gives 3 to 4 inches of millings over a stable base for driveways, 4 to 6 inches for heavy ranch roads, and compaction with a roller (O'Leary Development Group).
What the price is based on
We do not publish prices, and a per-foot figure for a road you have not walked is a guess. The price of a road or drive is based on:
- Length and width. How much ground is graded and surfaced.
- The material. Caliche, base or millings, what is available nearby, and how far it is trucked.
- Thickness. A light driveway needs less than a road carrying trucks and equipment.
- The ground under it. Soft spots, rock and slopes change the base work.
- Drainage. Crown, ditches, turnouts, culverts and crossings.
- Clearing and access. Brush in the way of the route, and how machines get in.
Tell us the route and what will drive on it, and we will give you a free estimate.
Drainage matters more than the surface
Water ruins more roads than traffic does. Whichever surface you pick, it needs:
- a base graded, crowned and compacted before the surface goes on
- a crown so water sheds sideways
- ditches or turnouts to carry it away
- culverts or crossings where the road meets a draw or creek
See ranch road drainage for the detail.
Which one for you?
- Long ranch road, light traffic: caliche or base, with good drainage.
- Driveway to the house, wanting a firmer, darker finish: millings over a good base.
- Heavy trucks or equipment: a thicker section, base or millings.
- Steep or wet spot: talk to us. The answer may be drainage first.
See driveways and ranch roads.
Common questions
What is caliche?
A layer of soil or sediment cemented together, usually by calcium carbonate, common in dry parts of Texas. It is widely used for ranch roads and drives.
Are asphalt millings better than gravel?
Millings roll into a firmer, darker surface that holds together better than loose gravel. Gravel and base drain well. The base and drainage matter more than the top layer.
How thick should millings be?
A San Antonio supplier gives 3 to 4 inches over a stable base for driveways and 4 to 6 inches for heavy ranch roads.
How much does a caliche road cost?
It depends on the route, so we do not quote a number by the foot. The price is based on the length and width, the material and how far it is trucked, the thickness, the ground underneath and the drainage it needs. Estimates are free.
Talk to us about your land
Every piece of land is different. Call (830) 328-3684 or send the form for a free estimate. See our asphalt millings, caliche & gravel driveways service.
