Driveway Resurfacing in Ontario, Oregon: Cost & Process

Should You Resurface Your Ontario Driveway?

When an Ontario driveway looks tired — faded surface, spreading cracks, raveling edges — resurfacing is often the most cost-effective fix. An overlay lays a fresh layer of hot-mix asphalt over the existing surface, restoring a smooth, sealed driveway without the expense of a full tear-out. For homes across the Treasure Valley with a still-sound base, it is the smart middle path between patching and replacement.

The decision hinges on one thing: the condition of the base underneath. Resurfacing only works when the structure below the asphalt is stable. If the base has failed — and in Ontario's freeze-thaw climate that happens when winter moisture works into a weak sub-grade — an overlay will crack along the same lines within a season or two. Our resurfacing vs. replacement cost guide explains how to tell the difference.

What Driveway Resurfacing Costs in Ontario

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

Driveway Size	Approx. Square Footage	Industry Baseline Overlay Range
1-car	400–600 sq ft	$1,200–$2,400
2-car	600–900 sq ft	$1,800–$3,600
3-car / long	900–1,400 sq ft	$2,700–$5,600

Industry sources have historically reported asphalt overlay baselines of roughly $3 to $4 per square foot. Actual costs in Ontario can run higher because of crack-repair needs, edge work, and the haul distance to far-eastern Oregon. The reliable way to budget is a site visit that measures the driveway and checks the base. Resurfacing typically costs 40 to 60 percent less than full replacement because it reuses your existing base.

The Resurfacing Process Step by Step

1. Surface assessment — A contractor evaluates base condition, drainage, and crack depth to confirm the driveway is an overlay candidate.
2. Cleaning and crack repair — Debris, vegetation, and oil spots are cleared, and cracks are routed and filled so they do not reflect through the new layer.
3. Edge and transition prep — Edges are cut clean and transitions to the garage and street are feathered for proper water shed.
4. Tack coat — A bonding layer is applied so the new asphalt grips the old surface.
5. Overlay placement — A fresh 1.5 to 2 inch lift of hot-mix asphalt is laid and compacted.
6. Cure and seal — The surface cures before traffic; sealcoating follows months later.

Why Ontario's Climate Affects the Decision

Ontario's climate is one of contrasts. Hot, dry summers bake the surface and can accelerate oxidation and surface cracking, while cold winters bring freeze-thaw cycling that pries existing cracks wider. Both extremes argue for the same approach: seal every crack before the overlay goes down, and grade so water sheds off rather than pooling.

The summer heat works in your favor for the overlay itself — warm, dry conditions are ideal for laying and compacting asphalt, so Ontario has a long resurfacing season. The winter risk is what makes prep non-negotiable. Any crack left unsealed becomes an entry point for the next winter's water, and once that water freezes in the base, reflective cracking returns. A driveway resurfaced in summer and sealed ahead of the freeze season holds up far better through Malheur County winters.

When Resurfacing Won't Hold

An overlay is the wrong choice when the problem is in the base, not the surface:

• Widespread alligator cracking — Interconnected cracks signal base failure
• Recurring potholes — Potholes that return after patching mean the sub-grade is moving
• Standing water and birdbaths — Drainage problems persist under a new layer
• Sinking or heaved sections — Settlement and frost heave point to a base problem
• Age past 20–25 years — Driveways near end of life rarely justify an overlay

If two or more describe your driveway, read our signs your driveway needs replacement guide first. The asphalt driveway overlay guide explains exactly when a second layer makes sense.

What a Contractor Can't See Until Work Begins

Some conditions only appear once the surface is cleaned and prepped:

• Hidden base softening — Unstable base material may not show until cracks are opened
• Subsurface moisture — A seasonal high water table can weaken the base from below
• Old patch failures — Previous DIY repairs may be lifting beneath the surface
• Edge raveling depth — Crumbling edges can run deeper than they look

A thorough site assessment catches most of these before the quote is set, which is why a measured estimate beats any price chart.

Get Your Ontario Driveway Resurfacing Quote

Stop guessing whether an overlay will hold. Cojo Excavation & Asphalt provides free, no-obligation assessments for Ontario and Treasure Valley homeowners. We measure your driveway, evaluate the base, and give you an honest recommendation — including telling you when resurfacing would be money wasted.

Request a free resurfacing estimate — we respond within 24 hours.

View our completed driveway projects and learn more about our asphalt maintenance services. For the full picture on residential driveways across Oregon, start with our complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon.