Driveway Replacement in Canby, Oregon: When It's Worth It & What It Costs

When Does a Canby Driveway Need Full Replacement?

In wet Willamette Valley farm country, driveways usually fail from water. Canby's rainy winters work moisture into any crack or weak spot in a driveway, and over the years a poorly drained base softens, shifts, and breaks the asphalt apart. When the damage reaches that structural stage, patching and resurfacing stop working — and full replacement becomes the smarter spend.

Replacement is the right call when the damage runs deeper than the surface. Widespread alligator cracking, sunken or soft sections, and potholes that keep returning after every patch all point to a base that has given out from water and age. A full tear-out and rebuild costs more upfront than resurfacing, but on a failed base it is the only repair that lasts. For the broader context, our complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon covers how driveways age across Oregon's climates.

What Driveway Replacement Costs in Canby

Industry baseline ranges shown below. Actual costs vary and are frequently higher based on removal, base condition, length, and current market conditions.

A full replacement covers three jobs: removing the old asphalt, rebuilding the base, and paving the new surface. On Canby's rural parcels, driveway length adds to all three.

Component	Industry Baseline Range
Old asphalt removal & haul-off	$1–$3 per sq ft
Base excavation & new rock	$2–$5 per sq ft
New asphalt paving (2–3" surface)	$4–$8 per sq ft
Full replacement (typical residential)	$7–$15+ per sq ft

For a standard two-car Canby town driveway around 600 square feet, a complete replacement lands in a broad baseline band. The long rural and acreage approaches common around Canby raise the total considerably, though per-foot economics improve on longer runs.

These are reference figures, not a Cojo quote. The biggest variable is what the crew finds once the old surface comes off — and in wet country, that often means more water damage than expected.

Signs You Should Replace, Not Repair

Some damage is cosmetic; some is structural. Telling them apart saves you from paying twice. Our 7 signs your driveway needs replacement guide has the full list — these matter most in Canby:

• Alligator cracking across more than 25 percent of the surface — interconnected cracking signals base failure
• Recurring potholes — patches that fail within a season mean water is undermining the base
• Sunken or soft sections — settling in wet ground points to a base that water has compromised
• Standing water that won't drain — pooling water soaks in and rots the base from below
• Age past 20 to 25 years — older driveways are reaching the end of their service life

If the asphalt still feels solid, drains well, and the cracking is limited to the surface, you may only need an overlay. Compare the options in our resurfacing vs. replacement guide before committing to a tear-out.

Why the Base and Drainage Decide Everything

A new asphalt surface is only as durable as the base beneath it — and in wet Canby, drainage is part of that base. A proper replacement rebuilds the foundation and fixes the water problem at the same time:

• Excavation to remove the old asphalt and any water-damaged sub-grade
• A compacted crushed-rock base sized for the soil and the loads it will carry
• Geotextile fabric where soft, wet sub-grade needs stabilization
• Grading and drainage so winter rain runs off instead of pooling and soaking in

Skipping these steps is why driveways fail early in the valley. Without good drainage, water keeps getting into the base no matter how good the asphalt looks, and the cracks return. Replacement done right is your chance to fix both the foundation and the drainage.

The Replacement Process, Step by Step

A typical Canby replacement runs one to three days depending on size, length, and base scope:

1. Demolition — the old asphalt is broken up and hauled off
2. Excavation and grading — the sub-grade is cut, shaped, and sloped for drainage
3. Base installation — crushed rock is placed and compacted in lifts
4. Paving — hot-mix asphalt is laid in binder and surface courses, then rolled
5. Curing — the new surface hardens before heavy use and, later, sealcoating

Timing matters in the wet valley. The reliable paving window is late spring through early fall, when warm, dry weather supports proper compaction and curing. Booking ahead of the summer rush usually secures better scheduling.

The Cost of Waiting in Wet Country

Delaying replacement on a failing driveway costs more in Canby than in a dry climate. Every wet season lets water work deeper into the cracks and the base, accelerating the breakup — and a failing surface starts to damage the sub-grade further. A driveway that needs replacement now and gets patched instead usually costs more next year. When a driveway is genuinely past repair, replacement stops the cycle. For regional pricing context, see our asphalt driveway cost in Oregon guide.

Get a Straight Answer on Your Canby Driveway

The only way to know whether you need a full replacement or a cheaper repair is a site visit. Cojo Excavation & Asphalt checks the surface, drainage, and base condition before recommending anything — and in wet country, that drainage check is everything. We provide free, no-obligation estimates across Canby and Clackamas County.

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

View our completed driveway projects to see the quality Canby homeowners expect, and learn about our asphalt maintenance services that help a new driveway last its full lifespan through valley winters.