Asphalt Paving in Dunes City, Oregon: 2026 Cost & Service Guide

Asphalt Paving in Dunes City, Oregon

Dunes City sits on the Oregon coast in Lane County, wrapped around Woahink and Siltcoos Lakes just south of Florence in the heart of the Oregon Dunes. It is coastal, sandy, and wet, three conditions that all shape how an asphalt driveway has to be built here. Most paving in Dunes City is residential driveways and lake-property access, often over sandy ground that behaves nothing like valley soil.

Cojo Excavation & Asphalt serves Dunes City and the surrounding coastal Lane County area from our Willamette Valley base. We pave driveways, private lanes, and small commercial approaches. This guide covers what affects paving cost on the coast, how the sandy soil and wet climate factor in, and when permits apply.

What Asphalt Paving Costs in Dunes City

Paving is priced by the square foot, with the final number driven by access, sub-base condition, asphalt thickness, and how much prep the site needs. Coastal sand and haul distance to the coast both factor into local pricing.

Industry baseline ranges shown below. Actual costs vary and may run higher depending on excavation, soil correction, haul distance, and current asphalt and fuel pricing.

Project Type	Industry Baseline per Sq Ft
New residential driveway	$3.00–$7.00
Driveway overlay (resurface)	$2.00–$4.50
Coastal lot / lake access	$3.50–$8.00
Full removal + repave	$4.00–$9.00

These are starting reference points, not firm quotes. Coastal jobs often involve longer haul distance for hot mix and the extra base work that sandy ground demands, both of which push toward the upper end. Our Oregon asphalt paving cost guide covers the full picture.

The Sandy Sub-Base Challenge

This is the defining issue for paving in Dunes City. Sand does not support pavement the way compacted soil or rock does. It shifts, it does not hold a load on its own, and asphalt laid directly over sand will crack, sink, and fail.

A proper coastal installation excavates the sand, then builds a thick, well-compacted crushed-aggregate base, often deeper than an inland driveway would need, to create a stable platform. A geotextile fabric between the sand and the rock base is frequently used here to keep the two from mixing and to keep the base from sinking into the sand. Getting this base right is the single most important part of any Dunes City paving job. Cut corners on it and no amount of quality asphalt will save the driveway.

Salt Air, Wet Winters, and Coastal Weather

The Oregon coast is one of the wettest, windiest parts of the state. Heavy winter rain keeps moisture in constant contact with pavement, salt air is corrosive, and the freeze-thaw that hits the valley is less of a factor than the relentless wet. Water is the enemy here, so drainage and a sound base matter even more than usual. A coastal driveway that sheds water and sits on a stable base holds up; one that pools water and sits on sand does not.

Permits and Coastal Rules

Most residential driveway paving in Dunes City does not require a building permit, but coastal areas carry extra layers. If your driveway connects to a state highway like Highway 101, ODOT controls that approach and an approach permit is required. Dunes City and Lane County have their own rules, and properties near the lakes or in sensitive coastal zones may face additional stormwater or environmental requirements given the proximity to water bodies and the dunes.

We confirm which jurisdiction owns the road you connect to and whether any coastal or stormwater threshold applies before quoting, so there are no surprises mid-project.

Residential and Coastal Driveway Paving

A typical Dunes City driveway job runs like this:

• Site assessment — Slope, drainage, sand depth, existing surface, and access are evaluated.
• Excavation — Sand is removed to the depth needed for a stable base.
• Base installation — A deep, compacted aggregate base, often over geotextile fabric, is built and compacted in lifts.
• Paving — Hot-mix asphalt is laid, typically 2.5 to 3 inches compacted for residential use.
• Compaction — Rolling locks the mat in while it is hot.
• Edge work — Edges are shaped to resist crumbling, which matters where sand wants to migrate.

If your existing driveway is structurally sound and only worn on the surface, an overlay may be the better value. See our signs your driveway needs repaving guide.

Seasonal Timing

Paving season on the coast runs roughly late spring through early fall, when dry windows are long enough for proper compaction and curing. The wet coastal winter is firmly off the table. Coastal weather is fickle, so we watch the forecast closely and book around clear stretches. Reserving a spot in spring for summer work is the reliable way to get scheduled.

After a new driveway cures for a few months, a sealcoat every two to three years is one of the cheapest ways to protect it, and on the wet coast that water protection earns its keep.

Getting a Real Number

Square-foot ranges help with rough budgeting, but the only accurate number comes from a site visit, especially on sandy coastal ground where base depth is the big variable. We serve Dunes City and nearby Florence and the rest of Lane County.