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

When It's Time to Replace Your Lake Oswego Driveway

At some point patching and resurfacing stop paying off and a full replacement is the smarter spend. For Lake Oswego homeowners that point often comes sooner than elsewhere for one local reason: mature-tree root heave. When roots have repeatedly lifted and cracked the driveway, no surface fix lasts — the only durable answer is to manage the roots, rebuild the base, and lay new asphalt. Wooded, sloped lots that have lost their base to winter water are the other common trigger.

A full replacement tears out the old surface and base, addresses the root situation, rebuilds the foundation, and paves fresh. It costs more than an overlay, but when the base or the roots have won, it is the only fix that holds. This guide covers the signs you need replacement, what it costs in Lake Oswego, and how the process works. For the full checklist, see our guide on 7 signs your driveway needs replacement.

Signs You Need Replacement, Not Repair

• Root heave that has repeatedly lifted and cracked sections of the driveway
• Alligator cracking across large areas — the scaly pattern that means the base has failed
• Potholes that keep returning after patching
• Sinking or heaving sections as water or roots move under the slab
• More than 25% of the surface cracked or damaged — past economical repair
• Age beyond 20–25 years with widespread deterioration and drainage failure

One or two minor issues may be repairable. But repeated root heave, or several of these signs together, mean the foundation is compromised and a new surface over it will fail again quickly.

What Driveway Replacement Costs in Lake Oswego

Industry baseline ranges shown below. Actual costs vary with removal, root work, base condition, slope, and size.

Driveway Size	Approx. Square Footage	Industry Baseline Range
Single car	300–400 sq ft	$1,500–$3,600
Two car	600–800 sq ft	$3,000–$7,200
Three car / extended	1,000–1,200 sq ft	$5,000–$10,800

Full replacement has historically been baselined around $5 to $9 per square foot, covering tear-out, haul-off, base rebuild, and new paving. In Lake Oswego, root management and a wooded sloped lot can raise the total beyond a flat treeless project. These are starting points — a site visit gives the real figure.

The Replacement Process

1. Demolition and Removal

The old asphalt and failed base are broken up, loaded, and hauled off for proper disposal.

2. Excavation and Root Management

The crew excavates to a stable subgrade and addresses the trees behind the heave — pruning roots appropriately and, where suitable, installing a root barrier to discourage future intrusion. This step is what separates a lasting Lake Oswego replacement from a repeat failure.

3. Base Rebuild

Fresh crushed aggregate base is laid and compacted in lifts. Where the soil is soft, wet, or disturbed by roots, a geotextile fabric goes between the subgrade and rock. This rebuilt base, free of the old root voids, is the foundation the new driveway needed.

4. Paving

Hot-mix asphalt is laid in a binder and surface course, then compacted to a typical 2.5 to 3 inches, with a traction finish on steeper grades.

5. Edging and Curing

Edges are shaped and supported, the apron transition is finished, and the surface cures before use.

Why Replacement Pays Off in Lake Oswego

It is tempting to keep patching to defer the cost, but when roots are the cause, patching is a losing game — the trees keep growing and lifting the asphalt no matter how often it is repaired. A proper replacement that manages the roots and rebuilds the base resets the clock for 20-plus years and restores the clean look that matters in this community.

The real value is fixing the actual cause. A driveway that fails in Lake Oswego usually failed because of roots, a starved base on a wooded slope, or both. Replacement is the chance to correct it for good. Afterward, our asphalt driveway maintenance services keep water out through the wet seasons, and our complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon covers the rest of long-term ownership.