We have a brand new asphalt driveway 24hrs old that has areas of pitting (more visible aggregate with pits the size of dimes to quarters and up 1/4" deep). I would estimate that at least 50% of the driveway has this appearance while the other 50% is smoother in appearance. It would seem to me that these pitted areas will contribute to the weakening the surface as water collects and freezers... Should I expect the contractor to correct this?

There are many different "Wears" kinds of asphalt. That said, there could be a couple of reasons for the "pitting"

The batch plant mixing up the asphalt may have had a bad batch or different batch mixes between the different trucks that delivered it.

Its not impossible that one of the truck drivers loaded up the wrong "Wear" at the batch plant and once in in the truck it has to go somewhare..

My best guess would be too much time between trucking asphalt and placing it which can cause the look you have on part of the driveway.

If a truck with a load of hot asphalt is waiting to long and it cools down too much before placing it this could cause your "pitting" look simply because it too cool to compact / melt together.

Its extremely Important to place asphalt at its workable desired temperature. When asphalt Contractors pave state roads there's a state inspector there that actually measure the temperature of the placed asphalt the moment it placed..

I would call at least 3 other reputable asphalt contractors and have them look at it. Also I would find out where that asphalt came from "Batch Plant" and inquire what can cause your problem.

If this is only 24hrs old, get the contractor back.

Thanks for the detailed information. My suspicion is that the asphalt was not sufficiently hot when it was being laid and compacted. Thanks again for your response.

Thanks - I did call the contractor with my concern on the appearance of the asphalt surface. I'm still waiting for him to communicate something back to me.

Did you ever hear back from your contractor and what did he do? I've just had the same thing happento me.