Driveway Resurfacing in Forest Grove, Oregon: Cost & Process

Driveway Resurfacing in Forest Grove: The Smart Middle Path

When a Forest Grove driveway is showing its age — faded, surface-cracked, a little rough — but hasn't crumbled apart, resurfacing is often the most sensible fix. An overlay lays a fresh layer of asphalt over the existing surface, restoring a clean look and adding years of life without the cost of a full tear-out. For homeowners in the historic streets near Pacific University or the newer developments out toward Highway 47, it's a way to keep curb appeal high while keeping the budget reasonable.

This guide explains what resurfacing involves, what it tends to cost in 2026, and how to tell whether an overlay will hold or whether your driveway needs replacing instead.

What Driveway Resurfacing Costs in Forest Grove

Resurfacing, also called an overlay, installs a new layer of hot-mix asphalt — usually 1.5 to 2 inches thick — over a driveway with a sound base. Because the old pavement stays as part of the foundation, you skip excavation and base rebuilding.

Industry baseline ranges shown below. Actual costs vary based on driveway size, surface prep, slope, and current market conditions.

Driveway Size	Approx. Square Footage	Industry Baseline Range
Single-car	400–600 sq ft	$1,200–$2,800
Two-car	600–900 sq ft	$1,800–$4,200
Three-car / long rural	1,000–2,000+ sq ft	$3,000–$8,500+

Per square foot, resurfacing has historically been baselined around $3 to $5, versus roughly $7 to $13 for a full replacement. How much crack repair and prep your driveway needs, plus slope and access, sets your final number. For help deciding between an overlay and a tear-out, see our resurfacing vs. replacement decision guide.

The Resurfacing Process Step by Step

A professional overlay in Forest Grove follows this sequence:

1. Cleaning — The surface is swept and pressure-cleaned to clear dirt, moss, and loose debris. Washington County's damp shoulder seasons leave moss on shaded, north-facing driveways.
2. Crack and pothole repair — Cracks are cleaned and filled; potholes are cut out and patched so they don't reflect through the new layer.
3. Edge milling when needed — Where the driveway meets a garage slab, walkway, or the street, the edge may be milled so the new layer ties in flush.
4. Tack coat — A bonding agent is applied so the new asphalt fuses to the old.
5. Paving and compaction — Fresh hot-mix is laid and rolled to thickness while hot.
6. Cure time — Foot traffic within a day, vehicles typically within two to three days depending on temperature.

When Resurfacing Is Right for Your Forest Grove Driveway

An overlay works when the trouble is on the surface and the base is sound. Good candidates have:

• Surface cracking and faded, oxidized asphalt rather than structural failure
• Even settlement without major heaving or sinking
• Cracks that are mostly hairline to moderate, not widespread alligator cracking
• A base that still drains and supports weight without soft spots

Forest Grove's clay-heavy western-valley soils hold winter moisture, and that moisture is what undermines an asphalt base over time. If water has been sitting under the driveway and the base has softened, an overlay will crack again from below. Our asphalt driveway overlay guide covers the thickness and prep that make an overlay actually last.

When an Overlay Won't Hold Up

Skip resurfacing if your driveway shows:

• Widespread alligator cracking across more than about 25 percent of the surface — a sign the base has failed
• Recurring potholes that keep returning after patching
• Standing water or birdbaths that point to grading and drainage problems
• Heaving or major settlement from an unstable, saturated sub-base

In those cases, our signs your driveway needs replacement checklist is the more honest guide, and replacement is the better long-term value.

Forest Grove Climate and Timing

The western Willamette Valley's wet winters and dry summers set the resurfacing calendar. Hot-mix asphalt needs dry weather and surface temperatures above roughly 50°F to bond and cure, which makes late spring through early fall the working window. Forest Grove's reliable summer dry spell is excellent for curing, but the season books up — lining up an overlay in spring for early-summer work usually gets you better scheduling.

Resurfacing also resets the maintenance clock. Sealcoat the new overlay after it's cured for six to twelve months, then keep it on a regular maintenance rhythm. Our asphalt maintenance services protect the new surface, and the complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon folds resurfacing into the full maintenance plan.

What a Contractor Can't See Until Work Begins

Even a thorough inspection has blind spots. A few conditions only surface once work starts:

• Hidden base saturation under a surface that looks fine
• Old patches that never bonded and are lifting beneath the surface
• Drainage that undercuts the edge of the driveway over time
• Thicker-than-expected old asphalt that affects milling at the tie-ins

This is why an on-site assessment beats any online estimate. A contractor who walks your Forest Grove driveway, probes for soft spots, and checks drainage will give you a far more reliable quote — and an honest answer on whether resurfacing will last.