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

When Does a Medford Driveway Need Full Replacement?

There's a point where patching and overlays stop earning their cost. For Medford homeowners, that point arrives when the damage runs deeper than the surface — into a base that can no longer support the asphalt above it. While the Rogue Valley's intense UV often produces surface-level aging that resurfacing can fix, a driveway with a failed foundation needs more than a new top layer.

Replacement means tearing out the old asphalt and, often, the failed base beneath it, then rebuilding the foundation and paving fresh. It costs more than resurfacing up front, but when the base is gone, it's the only fix that lasts. If you're still deciding, our 7 signs your driveway needs replacement guide covers the structural red flags.

What Driveway Replacement Costs in Medford

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

Driveway Size	Approx. Square Feet	Industry Baseline Range
1-car	400–600 sq ft	$4,000–$8,000
2-car	600–900 sq ft	$6,000–$12,000
3-car / extended	900–1,400 sq ft	$9,000–$18,000+

Replacement costs more than resurfacing because the price includes demolition, haul-off, regrading, new base rock, compaction, and full-depth paving. The deeper the base failure, the more excavation required.

These are reference ranges from national contractor surveys. Your actual number depends on equipment access, disposal, how much base needs replacing, and sub-grade condition once the old surface is off.

Why Medford Conditions Factor Into Replacement

Surface aging vs. base failure

Medford's hot, sunny Rogue Valley climate tends to age asphalt from the top down through UV oxidation — which is frequently a resurfacing problem, not a replacement one. The driveways that genuinely need replacing are the ones where water, age, or a weak original base have broken down the foundation. Telling those apart is exactly why a professional assessment matters before you commit to a full tear-out.

Drainage and base

Jackson County soils vary, and a driveway built on a thin or poorly drained base will eventually fail structurally regardless of climate. When that happens, replacement is the chance to rebuild on a properly engineered, well-drained foundation.

Age and prior repairs

A driveway past 20 to 25 years old that has already had multiple patches and overlays is usually a candidate for replacement rather than another round of repair.

The Replacement Process, Step by Step

1. Demolition and removal — The old asphalt is broken up and hauled off. Most asphalt is recyclable, which can offset disposal costs.
2. Excavation and sub-grade check — The crew evaluates the soil. Soft or unsuitable material is dug out and replaced with stable fill.
3. Base rebuild — Crushed aggregate base is placed and compacted to the right depth with positive drainage.
4. Paving — Hot-mix asphalt is laid, typically in a binder and surface course, then rolled to compaction. Medford's heat aids the cure.
5. Curing — The new surface hardens before heavy use; sealcoating waits several months.

For the full build mechanics, see our new driveway installation in Medford guide.

Replacement vs. Resurfacing: Making the Call

If your base is sound and the damage is surface-only — which UV aging often is in Medford — resurfacing is the cheaper, smarter move. Our driveway resurfacing in Medford guide covers that. Replacement is right when:

• More than 25 to 30 percent of the surface is cracked or broken
• Sections have sunk or heaved, pointing to base failure
• Water pools and drains poorly, undermining the base
• The driveway is past 20 to 25 years old with multiple prior repairs
• Previous overlays have already cracked through

What a Contractor Can't See Until Tear-Out

Even a careful site visit can't reveal everything underground. Common surprises in Medford replacements include:

• Extent of base failure — How deep the damage runs often isn't clear until the surface is off
• Soft sub-grade — Soil that must be removed and replaced
• Buried rock or old fill — Material that complicates excavation
• Drainage problems — Grading that funnels water under the slab and needs correcting

These unknowns are why a site-specific quote beats any average. A contractor who evaluates your soil and drainage gives a far more accurate price.

Budgeting and Comparing Quotes

For regional pricing context, see our asphalt driveway cost in Medford page and the complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon. When collecting bids, make sure each specifies tear-out depth, base rock depth, asphalt thickness, and what happens if the sub-grade needs extra work. A bid that skips the base isn't a deal — it's a driveway that fails early.