Asphalt Driveway Cost in The Dalles, Oregon: 2026 Price Guide

What Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost in The Dalles?

The Dalles sits on the Columbia River at the eastern edge of the Gorge, where the climate flips from valley wet to high-desert dry. This is Wasco County's hub, and its conditions are unlike anything west of the mountains: hot, dry summers, cold winters with freeze-thaw cycles, and the relentless Gorge wind that scours everything in its path. A driveway here faces baking heat in July and freezing nights in January, and both extremes shape how it should be built — and what it costs.

Homeowners after a straight number should start with the basics that drive pricing — square footage, the condition of the ground underneath, and how much site prep the job needs. Industry sources have historically reported baseline ranges of roughly $3 to $7 per square foot for a standard residential asphalt driveway. For a typical two-car driveway, that puts many projects in the $3,000 to $7,000 range, though actual costs in the current market frequently run higher once removal, base rebuild, or slope work enters the picture.

The numbers below are reference baselines, not a Cojo quote. The only way to know your real figure is a site visit that measures the driveway and checks the sub-grade.

The Dalles Asphalt Driveway Prices: Detailed Breakdown

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

Driveway Size	Approx. Square Feet	Industry Baseline Range
1-car	400–600 sq ft	$1,500–$4,200
2-car	600–900 sq ft	$3,000–$7,000
3-car / extended	900–1,400 sq ft	$5,000–$11,000+

Per-square-foot pricing tends to drop as the driveway gets larger, because mobilization and setup costs spread across more area. The Dalles's hillside lots stepping up from the river can run higher because of the grading the terrain demands.

What Goes Into the Price

• Removal of the old surface — Tearing out and hauling off existing asphalt or concrete adds to the total. Old asphalt is recyclable, which can offset some disposal cost.
• Base preparation — Crushed aggregate base rock, graded and compacted, is the foundation of a driveway that lasts. In a freeze-thaw climate, a well-drained base is what keeps winter moisture from heaving the surface.
• Asphalt thickness — Residential driveways are typically paved in a two- to three-inch compacted surface. Thicker sections cost more but stand up better to heat and heavy vehicles.
• Slope and grading — Lots on the bluffs above the river frequently need grading and drainage work, which adds to the total.

Factors That Affect Driveway Cost in The Dalles

Heat, sun, and oxidation

Unlike the wet valley, The Dalles bakes in summer. Intense sun and heat dry out and oxidize asphalt over time, making the surface brittle. A quality mix and regular sealcoating matter more here for protecting the investment, which is part of the long-term cost picture.

Freeze-thaw and winter moisture

Cold winters bring freeze-thaw cycles. What winter moisture does get into a poorly drained base freezes, expands, and cracks the surface. Even in a drier climate, base drainage is not optional — it is what prevents frost heaving.

Gorge wind and slope

The Dalles is famous for its wind, and hillside lots stepping up from the Columbia channel runoff and require grading. Both add to site work. Good drainage and grading are central to a driveway that survives the local extremes.

Material and season

Hot-mix asphalt prices fluctuate with oil costs and the season. The Dalles actually has a longer paving window than the wet valley thanks to its dry summers, but extreme summer heat and winter cold both have to be worked around.

Current Market Reality

The baseline ranges above reflect historically reported national averages. In practice, real project costs in The Dalles frequently exceed those figures, depending on:

• Removal scope — Tearing out a thick old concrete pad costs more than paving over prepared ground
• Base condition — Undersized or poorly drained sub-grade requires more excavation and aggregate, and freeze-thaw raises the stakes
• Slope and drainage — Bluff-side grading and runoff control add labor
• Material upgrades — Mixes and sealants suited to heat and UV exposure can raise the cost
• Market conditions — Crew availability, fuel, travel to the eastern Gorge, and asphalt pricing shift seasonally and year to year

Treat published ranges as a starting reference, not a budget target. For statewide context, our Oregon asphalt driveway cost guide and the complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon put local numbers in perspective.

New Driveway, Resurfacing, or Replacement?

The cost question depends on what your driveway actually needs. If you are paving fresh ground or upgrading a gravel drive, our new driveway installation in The Dalles walkthrough covers the process. If the surface is tired but the base is solid, driveway resurfacing in The Dalles is the cheaper path. When the foundation has failed, see driveway replacement in The Dalles for tear-out and rebuild pricing. Because heat and sun are hard on asphalt here, our driveway sealcoating cost in The Dalles guide covers the maintenance that protects your surface.

How to Compare The Dalles Driveway Quotes

When you collect bids, make sure each one specifies the same things: square footage, base rock depth, compacted asphalt thickness, grading for slope, and what happens if the sub-grade needs extra work. A low bid that thins out the base or skips drainage is not a bargain — in a freeze-thaw climate, it is a driveway that cracks within a few winters. A contractor who measures your lot and evaluates the soil and slope will give you a far more accurate quote than any industry average.