For Princeton and East Windsor homeowners who want it done once
Asphalt Paving in Mercer County, NJ That Shrugs Off Frost Heave
Expect a level drive that suits your house, finished within days and ready for many winters ahead.
Request your free quote in 10 seconds
Takes 10 seconds. We call you back fast, usually the same day.
- Winter-Proof Drive
- Level Every Spring
- Classic Curb Appeal
Sound familiar?
Heavy clay and hard freezes lift and split driveways every winter.
- Each spring brings a new hump, a new crack or a ridge that catches the snow shovel.
- Big shade trees on older lots send roots under the blacktop and break it in long lines.
- Rain sits on the clay, seeps into cracks, freezes and pops open potholes by March.
Local conditions
Where the fall line meets frost and clay
Mercer County straddles the fall line, the old edge between hard rock to the north and coastal plain to the south. Trenton sits right on it. Around Princeton, red shale and Stockton sandstone lie under clay-heavy soil that holds water and swells when it freezes. Carnegie Lake, the Millstone River, Stony Brook and the Delaware and Raritan Canal keep the low ground damp. To the east, East Windsor is flatter, with sandy loam that was farmland before homes and shopping centers moved in.
What we see most in Mercer County
Frost heave
Water trapped in clay freezes, swells and lifts the driveway into humps and ridges.
Roots under old trees
Mature oaks and maples on older lots push roots under the surface and crack it.
Late-winter potholes
Thaw water gets into cracks, refreezes and pops out chunks before spring.
Tired commercial lots
Lots on the busy highway strips fade, crack and lose their lines under steady traffic.
The solution
Paving That Plans for Winter Before It Arrives
We understand. A driveway that heaves every year wears you out.
You patch it in the fall and it breaks again by spring. Clay holds water, and when that water freezes, it swells and lifts whatever sits on top. Older homes add tree roots and tight spaces to the mix. You want it fixed once, and you want it to look good while it lasts.
Our family has been paving for four generations, and Gallagher and Sons has been in business 61 years. Owner Patrick Gallagher runs a licensed and insured company, and every job carries a 3-year guarantee on workmanship and materials.
We build a base that drains, so less water is left to freeze, and we shape the edges to fit your home, your trees and your street.
Get my free quoteBenefits
What you get
Less Winter Lift
Free-draining stone base
An open stone layer lets water escape from under the asphalt, so there is less ice to push it up in January.
Kind to Old Trees
Careful root work
We work slowly around mature trees and talk you through any root that has to be cut before we start.
Looks Right on Historic Streets
Clean lines and edging
Crisp borders and a smooth black finish suit older homes, stone walks and well-kept lawns.
How it works
3 simple steps
- Step 1
Get your free quote
Call us or use the form. We come out, test the soil and drainage, and write base depth and asphalt thickness right on the quote.
- Step 2
Our crew builds it
We remove the old drive, dig out wet clay, set a stone base that drains and pave with hot asphalt, compacted tight.
- Step 3
Get through winter worry free
When the cold comes, your driveway stays flat and whole, and our three-year guarantee has your back.
The difference
What sets us apart from traditional paving outfits
When you work with Gallagher and Sons Paving
- 61 years in business, run by the same family
- Drainage planned for clay and freeze cycles
- Care around mature trees and tight older lots
- A written quote with base and thickness spelled out
- Licensed, insured and guaranteed for three years
Traditional companies
- New names with little track record
- Pave right over clay with no plan for frost
- Tear through roots without asking first
- One-line quotes that leave the details out
- Warranties that are short or unclear
Features
Built to make it easy
Built for Freeze and Thaw
We plan each base for the cold months, not just the warm day we pave.
Tree-Friendly Approach
Old shade trees stay part of the picture, and we talk roots before we dig.
Full Tear-Out and Rebuild
When heave has wrecked the base, we start fresh from firm ground.
Pothole and Patch Repair
Broken spots get cut square and filled so they stay put.
Concrete Work Too
We also offer concrete work alongside your paving job.
Commercial Lots
We pave and stripe lots for shops and offices on the busy highway strips.
Easy to Reach
Call Mon to Fri, 7 AM to 6 PM, and speak with someone who knows asphalt.
Free, No-Pressure Estimates
It costs nothing to find out what your driveway really needs.
Mercer County
Towns we work in
County seat: Trenton
- Princeton
- East Windsor
Typical projects here
- Driveway rebuilds on clay soil
- Paving around mature shade trees
- Driveways on older, narrow lots
- Sealcoating for newer subdivisions
- Commercial lot paving and striping
- Concrete work alongside paving
Our recommendation
If winter keeps lifting your driveway, another patch will not hold. The fix is under the surface. Let us check how deep the wet clay goes and how water leaves your lot. A rebuilt base that drains is the long-term answer. If your driveway is newer and still flat, keep it that way with crack filling and sealcoating before the cold sets in.
Free estimate in Mercer CountyFind us on
Gallagher and Sons Paving on GoogleService areas
Nearby counties we serve
FAQ
Mercer County questions
Still have questions? Call (908) 720-2444. We pick up.
Why does my Princeton driveway heave every winter?+
The ground there has a lot of clay over red shale and sandstone. Clay holds water, and when it freezes it swells and lifts the asphalt. We dig out the wet clay and set a stone base that drains, so less water is left to freeze.
Can you pave without hurting my old trees?+
We work carefully near mature trees. Before we start, we show you where the roots run and go over your options. Sometimes a small change in the shape of the drive saves a big root.
Do you work in East Windsor neighborhoods?+
Yes. The land there is flatter, with sandy loam that used to be farmland, and many homes are newer. Those driveways often just need crack filling and sealcoating to stay in top shape.
When is the best time of year to pave?+
Asphalt goes down best in warm, dry weather, so spring through fall is ideal. If winter has already lifted your driveway, call now and we will plan the fix for the right weather.
Do you serve businesses along Route 130 and Route 33?+
Yes. We pave, repair, sealcoat and stripe commercial lots. We set the base for heavy traffic and lay out clear lines so parking is simple for your customers.
Ready for a driveway you are proud of?
Free estimate, a written price, and 20% off this month.