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

When Does a Central Point Driveway Need Full Replacement?

Most Central Point driveways that fail do so for one of two reasons: the surface has been worn down by years of Rogue Valley sun, or the base underneath has finally given out from age, drainage problems, or a thin original build. When the damage is just surface UV wear, an overlay usually fixes it. But when the base has failed, no amount of patching or resurfacing holds — and that is when full replacement becomes the smarter spend.

Replacement is the right call when the damage is structural rather than cosmetic. Widespread alligator cracking, sunken sections, and potholes that keep returning after every patch all point to a base that has given out. 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 Central Point

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

A full replacement covers three jobs: removing the old asphalt, rebuilding the base, and paving the new surface.

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 Central Point driveway around 600 square feet, a complete replacement lands in a broad baseline band. The town's flatter valley-floor lots can keep grading more contained than hillside towns, but the base rebuild and removal scope still drive the total. Long rural approaches on outlying parcels scale up from there.

These are reference figures, not a Cojo quote. The biggest variable is what the crew finds once the old surface comes off.

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 Central Point:

• 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 sections — settling usually means the sub-base was never compacted properly
• 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, often with UV-brittle surfaces

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

Why the Base Decides Everything

A new asphalt surface is only as durable as the base beneath it. In Central Point, the base carries the load and, with proper grading, keeps water from collecting and softening the ground. A proper replacement rebuilds that foundation:

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

Skipping these steps is why driveways fail early. The asphalt looks fine for a year or two, then the base moves and the cracks return. Replacement done right is your chance to fix the foundation, not just the surface.

The Replacement Process, Step by Step

A typical Central Point replacement runs one to three days depending on size, weather, 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 Rogue 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

Delaying replacement on a failing driveway tends to cost more later. 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 Central Point 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. We provide free, no-obligation estimates across Central Point and Jackson County.

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

View our completed driveway projects to see the quality Central Point homeowners expect, and learn about our asphalt maintenance services that help a new driveway last its full lifespan in Rogue Valley sun.