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

Driveway Replacement in Forest Grove: When Patching Stops Paying Off

Every asphalt driveway reaches a point where repairs are just throwing good money after bad. For Forest Grove homeowners staring at a driveway that's cracked apart, sunk, or failed from the base up, full replacement is the fix that finally holds. In a community that takes pride in its historic streetscapes and well-kept newer neighborhoods, a fresh driveway also lifts the whole look of the property.

This guide covers how to know when you've crossed from repair into replacement, what a tear-out-and-rebuild costs in 2026, and what the work looks like on Washington County's wet, clay-heavy ground.

When Replacement Beats Repair

The base is almost always the deciding factor. Surface problems can be resurfaced; base failure cannot. Replacement is the right move when you see:

• Widespread alligator cracking across more than roughly a quarter of the surface
• Recurring potholes that return no matter how often they're patched
• Major settlement or heaving with sections sunk or lifted unevenly
• Standing water signaling failed grading and drainage
• Age past 20–25 years with cracking and oxidation throughout
• A base gone soft from years of trapped moisture

Our 7 signs your driveway needs replacement guide details each one. If your driveway shows mostly surface wear over a sound base, you may qualify for the cheaper route in our resurfacing vs. replacement cost comparison instead.

What Driveway Replacement Costs in Forest Grove

Full replacement removes the old asphalt, repairs or rebuilds the base, and paves a new surface. Because it includes excavation, hauling, and base work, it costs more than resurfacing — but it resets the lifespan completely.

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

Driveway Size	Approx. Square Footage	Industry Baseline Range
Single-car	400–600 sq ft	$3,000–$7,000
Two-car	600–900 sq ft	$4,500–$11,000
Three-car / long rural	1,000–2,000+ sq ft	$7,500–$22,000+

Per square foot, full replacement has been baselined around $7 to $13. The biggest swing factors are how much base needs rebuilding, removal and hauling of the old material, and slope. Forest Grove's rural and acreage properties west of town often carry longer driveways, which raises total square footage.

The Replacement Process in Forest Grove

A proper tear-out and rebuild moves through these stages:

1. Demolition and removal — The old asphalt is broken up and hauled off, ideally recycled.
2. Excavation and sub-grade prep — The crew digs to depth and evaluates the sub-grade, addressing the soft, moisture-holding clay common in the western Tualatin Valley.
3. Base installation — Crushed aggregate base rock is brought in, graded, and compacted in lifts. Base depth and compaction are what determine longevity; our driveway base preparation guide explains why.
4. Grading for drainage — The surface is shaped to shed Forest Grove's heavy winter rain away from the home.
5. Paving — Hot-mix asphalt is laid in a binder course and surface course, then compacted.
6. Compaction and cure — Final rolling locks in density; the driveway cures over the following days.

Why Forest Grove Soil and Climate Matter

The western Tualatin Valley is built on clay and silty loam that swells with winter moisture and shrinks as it dries. That seasonal movement is hard on asphalt with a thin or poorly compacted base — it's a leading reason older Forest Grove driveways fail before their time. A replacement done right confronts this with adequate base depth, compaction in lifts, and often a geotextile fabric to keep the base rock from sinking into the clay.

Drainage is the other half. The valley's wet season is long, and water pooling against or under a driveway accelerates base failure. Grading the new surface to carry water away, plus solid edge support, is what protects the investment.

Timing follows the standard valley rhythm: late spring through early fall, when it's dry and warm enough for asphalt to cure. The summer window is in high demand, so planning ahead pays.

Protecting Your New Driveway

A new driveway is a decades-long asset, and modest maintenance keeps it that way. Sealcoat after the first six to twelve months of curing, fill cracks before water gets in, and stay on a regular schedule. Our asphalt maintenance services handle that upkeep, and the complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon lays out the timeline so your new driveway reaches its full lifespan.