Driveway Resurfacing in Milwaukie, Oregon: Cost & Process

Driveway Resurfacing in Milwaukie: A Cost-Effective Refresh

In an older south-metro city like Milwaukie, plenty of driveways are tired but not dead — faded, surface-cracked, rough underfoot, yet still sitting on a base that holds. For those, resurfacing is often the smartest fix. An overlay lays a fresh layer of asphalt over the existing surface, restoring a clean look and adding years without the cost and disruption of a full tear-out on a tight in-town lot.

This guide explains what resurfacing involves, what it costs in 2026, and how to tell whether an overlay will hold or whether your older Milwaukie driveway needs full replacement instead.

What Driveway Resurfacing Costs in Milwaukie

Resurfacing, or 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 / extended	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 the 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 Milwaukie follows this sequence:

1. Cleaning — The surface is swept and pressure-cleaned of dirt, moss, and loose debris. The metro's damp shoulder seasons leave moss on shaded, north-facing driveways common in Milwaukie's tree-heavy neighborhoods.
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 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 Milwaukie Driveway

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

• 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

Here's the catch in an older city like Milwaukie: many original driveway bases were thin or under-built to begin with. If the base was never solid, an overlay may not hold even if the surface looks salvageable. An honest inspection of the base matters more here than almost anywhere. Our asphalt driveway overlay guide covers the thickness and prep that make an overlay 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 pointing to grading and drainage problems
• Heaving or major settlement from an unstable, saturated, or under-built sub-base

In those cases — common with Milwaukie's aging driveways — our signs your driveway needs replacement checklist is the more honest guide, and replacement is the better long-term value.

Milwaukie Climate and Timing

The 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. The metro'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 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 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 — especially on older Milwaukie driveways. A few conditions only surface once work starts:

• An under-built original base hidden beneath a surface that looks workable
• 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 Milwaukie driveway, probes for soft spots, and checks the base will give you a far more reliable quote — and an honest answer on whether resurfacing will last.