The condition of roads in Nigeria, most of which are made from asphalt, is generally considered unsatisfactory. This has led to calls for a blanket switch from asphalt pavements to concrete pavements for new road construction. This study examines the characteristics and relative advantages of the two pavement types; and carried out the design, costing and life cycle analysis comparison of a case study road with heavy traffic and poor subgrade conditions. The results indicate that, initial cost of construction is less for the concrete pavement by 12% when compared with the asphalt alternative, while the Net Present Value analysis further yielded an advantage of 36% for the concrete pavement. The environmental impact of the two pavement types was also compared using data proposed by others and arrived at an impact value of 374425 and 84962 for asphalt and concrete pavements respectively – a further advantage for concrete pavements. The paper therefore recommends that major roads, particularly those on the national and international transit corridor, being of heavy traffic, should be reconstructed as the need arises, as concrete pavements and that axle load control and routine maintenance procedures should be strictly adhered to.