roxven - I've often thought gravel might be worth considering, if you were able to find quality gravel in the right color and someone experienced to install it. I always admire the look in many gardens in England. Whether you would enjoy the sound of it underfoot, [I think I wouldn't mind it] or the way it travels sometimes, is something to consider.

And ignore DavidR.

I did a quick search on driveway materials pros & cons -- interesting info and options. One suggestion in your situation is seashells. Do a little on-line research.

Good point GG - I hadn't thought of shoveling gravel. [g]

I've shoveled and plowed several gravel driveways and don't recommend gravel at all. It's a major headache to move the snow without moving some of the gravel along with it.

Something like paving stones would catch the shovel, and so would be only a little better.

I prefer asphalt to either. Concrete is the higher end driveway surface for those who have the bucks for it. My guess is that if you have a long driveway, there's a pretty decent chance that you can afford concrete. :)

If you use a snowblower you have to be careful with catching rocks and the spitting out. If you don't want a light colored concrete driveway have some stain added, a darker color may help with melting snow.

I live in Minnesota, I prefer asphalt but concrete is good too. My neighbor has a North facing concrete drive and it seems ok. My parents have a east facing concrete drive and don't have issues. Many years ago they had asphalt, not a really big difference.

Aggregate might be frustrating to shovel I would think. But have seen it used on sidewalks. I would be concerned about using it on a large drive way.

If your drive is very long maybe just concrete pad near house and asphalt the rest. But I don't know your set up so may not be a good thing that way.

We live on shoreline in CT too and I recommend asphalt: easy to shovel/snowblow/sweep and with any luck and some sun that last little layer of ice or snow melts. Highly recommend!

“Black asphalt” has the potential to have very different looks depending on the mix design (type, size and percentage of aggregate and amount of asphalt). Talk to the local company that makes the asphalt (as opposed to guys who buy from them and just put it down) and see if they have options that might be more acceptable to you.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and insights!

Considerations for you: Priced low to high

Gravel - cheapest option, will need replenishing every 5 yrs or so, not ideal in snowy conditions.

Asphalt - cheapest permanent option, will need seal coat every few years if you care to keep up on the maintenance. Good in snow.

Concrete - Typical choice. Is economical on the wallet and will hold up longer than the previous mentions. Good in snow.

Stamped concrete - Costs more than your typical concrete pour and is hard to fix to the right match years down the road. Wouldn't recommend.

Concrete pavers - Most expensive due to the prep work and labor that goes into it. Strong psi for vehicular traffic, if areas ever need to be fixed they can be done so while using the same bricks, can hold up to some salts more than others.

One suggestion I'd make for you is to think about having an apron put in. An apron is basically a large slab at the entrance into your garage or an entrance from the street. I think an apron at both ends with gravel in between, lined with pavers or a concrete border of some sort would give you a great look and be a money-well-spent option.