Asphalt Driveway Cost in Astoria, Oregon: 2026 Price Guide

What Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost in Astoria?

Perched where the Columbia River meets the Pacific, Astoria is one of Oregon's wettest and most weather-exposed cities. Heavy coastal rain, salt-laden air off the ocean, and sandy or soft soils all factor into what an asphalt driveway costs here and, just as importantly, how it has to be built to survive the climate. A driveway that would last decades inland needs extra attention to drainage and base prep on the North Coast.

Astoria homeowners can expect pricing that varies with driveway size, base depth, drainage work, removal of any existing surface, and slope. Industry sources have historically reported baseline ranges of $7 to $13 per square foot for a new asphalt driveway, though actual costs in the current market frequently run higher once drainage, base rebuild, and Clatsop County's challenging soils are factored in. A measured quote is the only way to get a real number. For the statewide picture, see our guide on how much an asphalt driveway costs in Oregon.

Astoria Asphalt Driveway Prices: Detailed Breakdown

Industry baseline ranges shown below. Actual costs vary and may be significantly higher based on drainage, base condition, removal, slope, and current market conditions.

Driveway Size	Approx. Square Footage	Industry Baseline Range
1-car	400–600 sq ft	$3,000–$6,000
2-car	600–900 sq ft	$4,500–$9,000
3-car / long	900–1,400 sq ft	$6,800–$14,000

Per-square-foot pricing tends to drop slightly as the driveway grows because mobilization spreads across more area. Our driveway cost by size guide breaks pricing down by car count and square footage.

What's Included in a New Driveway Price

Cost Component	Typical Share of Project
Excavation and sub-grade prep	15–25%
Base rock (aggregate)	20–30%
Asphalt material and placement	35–45%
Grading, drainage, and finishing	10–20%

On the coast, the drainage and base share of the project often runs at the high end because Astoria's wet conditions and soft soils demand it.

Factors That Affect Driveway Cost in Astoria

Drainage and Grading

This is the single biggest coastal cost driver. Astoria's rainfall is among the heaviest in Oregon, and a driveway that does not shed water aggressively will pond, undermine its own base, and fail early. Channel drains, proper slope, and reliable runoff paths add to the project but are not optional here. Our driveway drainage solutions for Oregon guide covers the options.

Base Depth and Soil

Sandy and soft coastal soils do not support asphalt the way firm inland soils do. A deeper, well-compacted aggregate base — sometimes with geotextile fabric to separate it from the soft sub-grade — is what keeps a North Coast driveway stable. This adds material and labor but is what makes the difference between a driveway that lasts and one that sinks.

Salt Air and Surface Protection

Salt-laden ocean air accelerates surface oxidation and wear. While it does not change the paving price directly, it makes sealcoating and ongoing maintenance more important, which is worth budgeting for over the life of the driveway.

Removal, Slope, and Market Conditions

Tearing out an old surface, paving a sloped site, and local contractor availability all move the final number. Coastal projects can also carry travel and material-haul costs depending on the crew's base.

Current Market Reality

The industry baseline ranges above reflect historically reported averages. In practice, actual driveway costs in Astoria and across the Oregon coast frequently exceed these baselines, depending on:

• Drainage requirements — Heavy rainfall makes robust drainage essential, adding cost
• Base rebuild depth — Soft, sandy coastal soils often need a deeper base, sometimes with geotextile
• Removal scope — Tearing out and hauling old asphalt or concrete adds cost before paving
• Slope and site access — Hillside lots and tight coastal sites take more labor
• Market conditions — Contractor availability, fuel, and material pricing fluctuate

Published ranges are a starting reference, not a budget target. Always get a site-specific quote based on your driveway's actual conditions.

How Astoria Compares to the Rest of Oregon

Driveway costs vary across Oregon with local conditions, contractor availability, and travel. Astoria's heavy rainfall and soft soils tend to push the drainage and base portions of a project toward the higher end, while its shorter dry-weather paving window makes scheduling important. The most accurate way to compare is to request quotes from contractors who understand coastal conditions. If you are weighing the build details, our complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon covers materials, drainage, and lifespan.

What Your Contractor Can't See Until Work Begins

Even an experienced crew encounters surprises once excavation starts:

• Soft or sandy sub-grade — Coastal soil may need more correction or geotextile than expected
• High water table — Astoria's wet ground can leave the sub-grade saturated
• Inadequate existing base — Older driveways were often built on thin base rock
• Drainage that needs major reworking — Existing grades may not move water fast enough for the rainfall

A thorough site assessment catches most of these before the quote is finalized, which is why a measured estimate is far more reliable than any industry average.

Get Your Astoria Asphalt Driveway Quote

Stop estimating from a chart — get an accurate quote based on your actual driveway size, soil, and drainage needs. Cojo Excavation & Asphalt provides free, no-obligation estimates for Astoria and Clatsop County homeowners. We measure your site, assess the drainage and base requirements, and deliver a transparent quote with no hidden fees.

Request a free driveway estimate — we respond within 24 hours.

View our completed driveway projects and learn more about our asphalt maintenance services. For the full picture on residential driveways across Oregon, start with our complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon.