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A method and the corresponding indexes based on laboratory test were proposed for evaluating the performance of strain gauges used in asphalt pavement. Two types of strain gauges were used to develop the method and the indexes. Firstly the life cycle performance of asphalt strain gauges was divided into three different stages: construction stage, pre-cracked stage and cracked stage. Then six evaluation indexes were proposed for evaluating the comprehensive performance of the asphalt strain gauges in these three stages. The “collaborative deformation characteristic” and long-term performance were emphasizedly explored. Two different types of strain gauges were then embedded into asphalt mixture beams and evaluated by these indexes. Results show that the performance of different strain gauges can be clearly characterized and differentiated through the evaluation indexes and methods proposed. The findings provide useful insights on selecting proper strain gauges for asphalt pavement.