How long for tarmac to fade?

[RamonaQuimbyAge8]

My neighbours and I share a drive, and we want to get it resurfaced. We are looking at tarmac but we can't seem to figure out between us how long it will take to weather in! Anyone have any ideas? Black will look really weird against the houses but the more normal charcoal/grey will be fine. The company keeps talking about chips etc mixed in with the tar any colour we want but I've seen some examples of that that we don't like.

Can anyone help?

We had a few chips mixed in with ours. It helps with wear. The tarmac never was black. More of a very deep charcoal and the chips were the same. I think several years later it lightens a bit. However planting against very dark tarmac looks stunning. Just look at the charred black wood in the winning Chelsea garden this year. I think nearly black can be wonderful.

We have a fairly large drive and have extensive gravel areas for extra parking edged with granite sets, and a wide York stone path to the front door. If you don’t want it to appear too black, add in some contrast areas and planting. Just don’t have gravel where you tread it into the house.