Asphalt Paving in Gearhart, Oregon: 2026 Cost & Service Guide

Asphalt Paving in Gearhart, Oregon

Gearhart is a quiet coastal town on the north Oregon coast in Clatsop County, just north of Seaside, known for its golf course, its beach cottages, and the sand that defines the whole area. Paving here is a different animal than anywhere inland. The ground is sandy, the rain is heavy and constant, the salt air is corrosive, and the water table sits high near the dunes. A paving job that would last decades in the valley can fail fast on the coast if it is not built for these conditions.

This guide covers what asphalt paving involves in Gearhart, what it costs, and why coastal site conditions drive the whole job.

What Asphalt Paving Costs in Gearhart

Industry baseline ranges shown below. Actual costs vary with site access, soil and drainage, asphalt thickness, haul distance, and current market conditions.

Project Type	Industry Baseline Range
Residential driveway (new)	$3.00–$7.00 per sq ft
Driveway overlay / resurface	$2.00–$4.00 per sq ft
Small commercial lot	$3.50–$8.00 per sq ft
Full removal + repave	add $1.00–$3.00 per sq ft

These are national baseline figures. Coastal projects in Gearhart often run above them because sandy soils need more sub-base work, drainage is a bigger job near the high water table, and haul distance from inland asphalt plants adds cost. A coastal driveway is not a flat valley driveway. See our asphalt paving cost in Oregon guide for the broader picture.

Sandy Soils and the High Water Table

This is the single biggest difference about paving in Gearhart. Sand does not behave like valley clay or even high-desert soil. It is loose, shifts under load, and drains very fast, which sounds good until you realize a loose, shifting base will not support asphalt on its own.

Paving over sand done right means:

• A properly engineered aggregate base to provide a stable platform the sand cannot, often thicker than an inland spec
• Geotextile fabric in many cases, placed between the sandy subgrade and the base to keep the two from mixing and to spread loads
• Compaction of both subgrade and base so the surface does not settle or rut
• Drainage that accounts for a high water table, since groundwater sits close to the surface near the dunes

A contractor who paves the coast regularly knows how to build a stable base over sand. One who treats it like an inland job will watch the surface settle and crack.

Salt Air, Heavy Rain, and Coastal Weather

Gearhart gets a lot of rain, among the wettest conditions in the state, and the salt air adds a corrosive element that works on everything outdoors. Constant moisture is hard on asphalt, keeping the surface and base wet and feeding any crack with water.

The coast does get freeze-thaw, though milder than inland; the bigger issue is sheer volume of water. A coastal paving job has to shed water aggressively. That means strong surface grading, edge drainage, and follow-up maintenance, crack sealing and sealcoating, to keep the relentless moisture out. Sealcoating also helps protect against salt and UV. Our signs your driveway needs repaving guide covers what to watch for.

Permits and Coastal Requirements

Coastal paving carries permit considerations that inland work does not:

• City and county permits for work touching streets or public right-of-way
• Drainage and stormwater requirements, taken seriously given the high water table and proximity to waterways and the ocean
• Setbacks and sensitive-area rules near dunes, wetlands, and the shoreline, which can restrict where and how you build
• Access permits for approaches off state or county roads

A contractor who works the Clatsop County coast knows which approvals apply before any machine arrives. Our Clatsop County asphalt paving page covers area-wide service.

Residential vs. Small-Commercial Paving

Residential driveways in Gearhart are mostly for beach homes and cottages, often on sandy lots near the dunes. The priorities are a stable engineered base over sand, aggressive drainage, and clean grading. Many are second homes, so durability with minimal maintenance is a common goal.

Small-commercial lots for the businesses serving residents and visitors need traffic-flow planning, ADA parking, robust drainage, and a base built for coastal conditions. These often pair paving with striping and sealcoating once the asphalt cures, and coastal sealcoating is especially worthwhile against salt and moisture.

How to Compare Paving Quotes in Gearhart

A low bid on the coast usually skips the base engineering that sand demands. Compare quotes on:

• The base design over sand, including thickness and whether geotextile fabric is included
• Asphalt thickness (compacted)
• The drainage plan for heavy rain and a high water table
• Compaction of subgrade and base
• Warranty terms and what voids them

A detailed quote that costs more upfront often saves a settled, cracked surface within a couple of wet coastal winters. Always insist on a site visit so the contractor can assess the sand and the water table.

When to Schedule Paving

The coastal paving window is narrow because of how much it rains. You want the driest stretch, typically mid-summer, when there is enough warm, dry weather for hot mix to compact and cure. The reliable dry season is short on the coast, so bookings fill fast. Plan early in the year to secure your spot.

If your driveway is cracking but not failed, you may not need a full repave yet. Compare options in our driveway repair in Gearhart guide first.