Driveway Resurfacing in Hood River, Oregon: Cost & Process

Driveway Resurfacing in Hood River

When a Hood River driveway starts showing its age — faded, surface cracks spreading, a rough patch or two — full replacement isn't always the answer. Resurfacing, or an overlay, lays a fresh layer of asphalt over the existing driveway. On a sound base it restores the surface for far less than a rebuild. On a failing base it's wasted money. Knowing which you have is the whole decision — and in the Gorge, slope and weather add to the calculation.

In the Columbia Gorge around Hood River, sloped lots, wet winters, and persistent wind put steady pressure on a driveway's surface and base. This guide explains when resurfacing makes sense for a Hood River driveway, what it costs, and how local conditions factor in.

What Resurfacing Actually Is

Resurfacing means cleaning and prepping the existing driveway, repairing localized damage, then paving a new asphalt layer — typically 1.5 to 2 inches — over the top. The old asphalt becomes the base for the new surface. The result looks and performs like new, provided the structure underneath is still solid and, on a slope, still draining properly.

That's the qualifier. Resurfacing fixes the top, not the bottom, and not the grading. If the base is cracked or settling, or if runoff has been eroding a hillside driveway, an overlay only delays the failure. A good Hood River contractor checks the base and drainage before recommending one.

When Resurfacing Is the Right Call

Resurfacing fits when:

• The base is solid and the driveway hasn't settled, heaved, or shifted
• Damage is surface-level: fading, shallow cracks, raveling, minor potholes
• The driveway drains well and runoff isn't pooling or eroding the edges
• The existing asphalt is generally intact, not crumbling widely
• You want to extend the life of a structurally sound but cosmetically worn driveway

Resurfacing falls short when:

• Wide alligator cracking covers large areas (base failure)
• Spots stay soft, spongy, or pump water after rain
• There's noticeable settling, dipping, or heaving — common where slope runoff undermines a base
• The driveway is past its structural life

If you're seeing deeper problems, our driveway resurfacing vs replacement cost guide helps you weigh the options, and driveway replacement in Hood River covers the full rebuild.

What Resurfacing Costs in Hood River

Industry baseline ranges shown below. Actual costs vary with size, condition, slope, haul distance, prep work, and current asphalt pricing.

Driveway Size	Approx. Square Footage	Industry Baseline Range
Small (1 car)	400–600 sq ft	$1,400–$3,200
Medium (2 car)	600–1,000 sq ft	$2,200–$5,800
Large (3+ car)	1,000–2,500 sq ft	$4,500–$14,000

Per-square-foot baselines for an asphalt overlay have historically run $3 to $7 — generally 40 to 60 percent less than full replacement. Hood River projects can run higher because of haul distance and the crack repair, patching, or drainage correction that sloped Gorge lots often need first. For local new-work pricing, see asphalt driveway cost in Hood River.

The Resurfacing Process

1. Cleaning — The surface is swept and washed; debris and vegetation cleared.
2. Crack and pothole repair — Existing cracks are filled and potholes patched so they don't telegraph through.
3. Leveling — Low spots are brought up so the finished surface drains correctly — important on a slope.
4. Tack coat — A bonding layer helps the new asphalt grip the old.
5. Paving — Fresh hot-mix is laid and compacted.
6. Cure — Drivable quickly, but cure before heavy loads or sealcoat.

Why the Hood River Terrain and Climate Matter

An overlay is only as good as the surface beneath it, and Gorge slopes and weather test that surface hard. On a hillside, runoff that isn't properly graded erodes edges and undermines the base — problems an overlay won't fix. Wet winters keep water present, and if it reaches the base through unsealed cracks or poor drainage, it undermines both old and new layers. The Gorge's strong wind can also dry a fresh surface quickly, so timing matters. Before resurfacing here, a good contractor checks drainage and grading, not just surface cracks.

The Gorge also cycles around freezing in winter, and water in cracks expands when it freezes, widening them. Resurfacing on a sound, well-draining base and keeping up with crack sealing afterward is what delivers the full life of an overlay.

Timing Your Resurfacing Project

Resurfacing, like new paving, needs dry conditions above 50°F. In Hood River that means late spring through early fall, a window that can be tighter than the valley's. Overlaying in the wet season leads to poor bonding and a surface that won't cure properly. Plan for summer and book ahead — the local paving season is short and haul logistics mean scheduling matters.

Getting the Most From an Overlay

Once resurfaced, your driveway holds up best with simple care: sealcoat after it cures and then periodically, fill new cracks before winter, and keep water draining away — especially down a slope. Our asphalt maintenance services page covers the routine. For the full owner's view of asphalt driveways in our climate, see the complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon.