Driveway Resurfacing in Hillsboro, Oregon: Cost & Process

What Is Driveway Resurfacing — and Is It Right for Your Hillsboro Driveway?

Resurfacing, also called an overlay, lays a fresh layer of asphalt — usually 1.5 to 2 inches — over your existing driveway. It restores a smooth, dark surface and adds years of life at a fraction of the cost of full replacement. The condition for it to work: the base and the existing pavement underneath must be structurally sound.

In Hillsboro, that condition deserves a hard look. Washington County's Tualatin Valley clay shifts with moisture, and the long wet season keeps the ground saturated. A driveway that looks worn on top might actually be cracking because the clay beneath is moving. If the base is the problem, an overlay just sends the old cracks back up through the new layer. Our guide to driveway resurfacing vs. replacement lays out how to tell.

What Driveway Resurfacing Costs in Hillsboro

Industry baseline ranges shown below. Actual costs vary based on driveway size, prep needed, overlay thickness, and current market conditions.

Driveway Size	Approx. Square Feet	Industry Baseline Range
1-car	400–600 sq ft	$1,500–$3,500
2-car	600–900 sq ft	$2,500–$5,500
3-car / extended	900–1,400 sq ft	$4,000–$8,000+

Resurfacing typically runs 40 to 60 percent less than full replacement because there's no demolition or base rebuild — the existing driveway becomes the foundation for the new layer. Costs rise if the surface needs significant crack repair or leveling first.

These are reference ranges from national contractor data. Your actual cost depends on prep work, overlay thickness, and access.

The Resurfacing Process in Hillsboro

1. Inspection — The contractor confirms the base is sound and the existing asphalt can support an overlay. In Hillsboro, this is where clay-driven base movement gets caught.
2. Cleaning — The surface is cleared of debris, dirt, moss, and vegetation so the new layer bonds properly. The wet climate makes moss a common issue here.
3. Crack and pothole repair — Significant cracks are filled and low spots leveled. Skipping this lets old cracks reflect through.
4. Tack coat — A bonding agent is applied so the new asphalt adheres to the old surface.
5. Overlay — A fresh layer of hot-mix asphalt is laid and rolled to compaction.
6. Curing — The surface needs time to harden before heavy use and sealcoating.

When Resurfacing Works in Hillsboro — and When It Doesn't

Good candidates for resurfacing

• Surface cracking and wear without structural movement
• A base that's still firm and well-drained over the clay
• Driveways under about 15 to 20 years old with a sound foundation
• Cosmetic damage and minor unevenness

When replacement is the better call

• Widespread alligator cracking across more than a quarter of the surface
• Sunken or heaved sections pointing to clay movement and base failure
• Drainage problems keeping water under the slab
• A base that's no longer stable

If your driveway fits the second list, see our driveway replacement in Hillsboro guide.

Why Hillsboro's Conditions Matter for Resurfacing

Clay movement can hide under a good surface

A driveway can look intact on top while the clay below has been shifting with moisture, fatiguing the base. Resurfacing over a moving base wastes money. A contractor who knows Washington County will check for this before recommending an overlay.

Drainage and the wet season

If poor drainage let water sit under the driveway and contribute to the wear, that has to be addressed before any overlay — otherwise the new layer faces the same moisture and the same fate.

Moss and surface prep

Hillsboro's damp climate encourages moss and organic growth on shaded driveways. Thorough cleaning before the overlay is essential for the new asphalt to bond.

What a Contractor Can't See Until Work Begins

Even careful inspection can't reveal everything. Common surprises in Hillsboro resurfacing jobs include:

• Base damage under intact-looking pavement — Clay movement that's fatigued the base without obvious surface signs
• Cracks deeper than they appear — Surface cracks running into the base
• Drainage issues — Water patterns that contributed to wear and will affect the overlay
• Old patches that won't bond — Previous repairs needing removal before overlay

These unknowns are why a site assessment beats any price chart. A contractor who evaluates your base gives a far more accurate recommendation.

Making the Resurfacing Decision

Resurfacing is the economical choice when your Hillsboro driveway's foundation is solid and only the surface is worn. When valley clay has compromised the base, replacement is the honest answer. For pricing context, see our asphalt driveway cost in Hillsboro page and the complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon. Building fresh instead? Our new driveway installation in Hillsboro guide covers that.