Longitudinal surface cracking (LSC) is one of the major problems of asphalt pavements. In this paper, our assumption, that LSC is induced by tensile strains in the pavement close to tire edge at high temperature, is discussed based on FEM analysis. Surface temperature conditions in summer are investigated by the measurements conducted on an experimental pavement and an actual road. The FEM analysis considering the measured temperature distribution in the surface course shows that large tensile strains occur in the pavements close to tire edges at high temperature and the strain is concentrated at the tip of a small crack induced at the surface. It is also found that large compressive strains occur at tire edge. The strains could heal up micro cracks in the pavement, if its surface is not hardened.