The length of time you'll get out of a fresh paving depends largely on conditions the road will be subject to. High-traffic roads will need to be replaced more often. Roads that deal with a lot of harsh weather -- particularly cold winters where ice can crack the asphalt -- will also have shorter lifespans. In Virginia, for example, a fresh paving can last 10-20 years based on usage factors. The Dunn Company offers 20 years as a baseline lifespan for asphalt paving, but again, they emphasize that lifespan "can vary greatly depending on base conditions, traffic, type of traffic and maintenance."