Driveway Repair in Government Camp, Oregon: Crack, Pothole & Resurfacing

Driveway Repair in Government Camp, Oregon

Government Camp sits at the base of Mt Hood near 3,900 feet on Highway 26, the alpine village at the heart of Clackamas County's ski country. Driveways up here take a beating no valley driveway sees: heavy snow load, constant snowmelt, relentless freeze-thaw, plow scraping, and steep grades that channel water. A mountain driveway that gets ignored can move from a few cracks to a failing surface in a couple of winters. Repairing at the right time, with the right method, is what keeps a Government Camp driveway alive.

It all starts with reading the damage. Different problems call for different fixes, and the mountain makes catching them early more important than anywhere. Here's how the four main repair approaches work at elevation.

Crack-Fill vs Patch vs Resurface vs Replace

Crack Filling

For individual cracks under about a half-inch, with firm pavement around them, crack filling is the move. A hot-applied rubberized sealant flexes with the heavy freeze-thaw movement Government Camp sees all winter, where a cheap cold-pour product cracks right back out. Sealing cracks before the snow flies is the single most valuable thing a mountain property owner can do. Every crack is a path for snowmelt into the base, and water in the base, freezing and expanding through the winter, is what destroys mountain driveways. See our driveway cracking repair options for sealant guidance.

Patching

Patching addresses a localized failure: a pothole, a sunken spot, or a crumbled section. The contractor cuts out the failed asphalt, firms up the base beneath, and lays fresh mix. On the mountain, most potholes start with frost heave — snowmelt in the base freezes, lifts the pavement, and the surface fractures when it drops. Plow damage can also gouge spots that then fail. A real fix addresses the water and the base, not just the visible hole.

Resurfacing (Overlay)

When cracking is widespread but the base is still solid, resurfacing works. A new asphalt layer goes over the cleaned, prepped driveway, giving a fresh surface for far less than replacement. The base has to be sound first — overlay a failing base on the mountain and the new layer will crack by the next spring thaw.

Full Replacement

Replacement is the right call for alligator cracking across large areas, multiple potholes, or pavement that flexes under a vehicle. Alligator cracking almost always means the base has failed, and no surface repair fixes a failed base. At elevation, where snow and freeze-thaw expose every weakness, a proper rebuild — removing the old asphalt, rebuilding and compacting a deep base, and repaving — is the only durable answer. Our signs your driveway needs repaving lists the warning signs.

What Driveway Repair Costs in Government Camp

Mountain repair costs reflect elevation, steep access, and a short season. Hauling materials up Highway 26, working steep cabin lots, and fitting repairs into the snow-free window all factor in.

Industry baseline ranges shown below. Real costs at Mt Hood elevation run higher due to haul, steep access, and the short season. Treat these as a starting reference, not a quote.

Repair Type	Industry Baseline Range
Crack filling	$1–$3 per linear foot
Pothole / patch repair	$100–$400 per patch
Resurfacing / overlay	$3–$7 per square foot
Full replacement	$7–$15+ per square foot

These are national averages. In Government Camp, the haul up the mountain and the limited working season push real figures toward and past the top of each range. A site visit is the only way to get an accurate number.

Why Government Camp's Climate Destroys Driveways

The mountain throws everything at asphalt:

• Heavy snow load and snowmelt — Constant meltwater works into every crack and pore, then refreezes, prying the pavement apart.
• Relentless freeze-thaw — At elevation, the surface crosses the freezing line over and over, accelerating crack growth and frost heave.
• Plow abuse — Snow removal scrapes and gouges the surface, opening spots for water to get in.
• Steep grades — Slopes channel meltwater across driveways, concentrating wear and washing at edges.

Sealcoating and prompt crack sealing matter even more here than in the valley, because the window to stay ahead of damage is short and the consequences of falling behind are severe.

Timing Repairs in Government Camp

The repair season is tight on the mountain. Patch mix and crack sealant cure best above 50°F, which at Government Camp's elevation means a stretch of summer into early fall, weather permitting. Crack filling can sometimes be squeezed into a dry shoulder spell, but resurfacing and replacement need the warm, dry summer window. Because good-weather days are limited up here and crews route mountain work carefully, booking early is essential to get repairs done before the next snow season.

Get a Government Camp Driveway Repair Quote

Cojo Excavation & Asphalt serves the Mt Hood corridor from our Willamette Valley base. We know what the mountain does to asphalt, we diagnose the real cause of the damage, and we recommend the fix that fits — not the priciest option. If the driveway needs a full rebuild, see our asphalt paving in Government Camp guide.

Request a free driveway repair estimate — we'll inspect your driveway and tell you straight what it needs.

View our completed projects to see our work, and learn more about our driveway repair services and asphalt paving services for the Mt Hood corridor.