Driveway Resurfacing in Portland, Oregon: Cost & Process

Resurfacing vs. Replacing in Portland

When a Portland driveway looks tired — faded, surface-cracked, rough — the natural question is whether you can resurface it instead of tearing it out and starting over. Resurfacing, also called an overlay, places a fresh layer of asphalt over the existing driveway. It costs less than full replacement and gives you a new surface, but it only works under the right conditions. The wrong conditions, and an overlay just hides problems that resurface within a year or two.

This guide explains when resurfacing is the right call for a Portland driveway, when replacement is the honest answer, the overlay process, and how Multnomah County's wet soils factor in. For the decision framework in depth, see our resurfacing vs. replacement cost guide, and for the full picture, the complete Oregon asphalt driveway guide.

When Resurfacing Works — and When It Doesn't

Resurfacing is a surface fix. It works when the problem is the surface and the structure beneath is still sound.

General guidance for the overlay decision. A site assessment governs your specific driveway.

Driveway Condition	Resurface or Replace?
Faded, surface cracks, sound base	Resurface (overlay)
Minor cracking, good drainage	Resurface
Widespread alligator cracking	Replace
Sinking, birdbaths, recurring potholes	Replace
Failed drainage / bad grade	Replace (rebuild grade)

The key is the base. If your driveway's foundation is intact — no widespread alligator cracking, no sinking, no recurring potholes, drainage still working — an overlay can give you years of fresh surface at a fraction of replacement cost. But if the base has failed, adding asphalt on top simply lets the same cracks and settlement telegraph through the new layer. In Portland's wet clay, base failure is common in older driveways, so an honest assessment up front saves money.

The Resurfacing Process

A proper overlay is more than spreading new asphalt. The steps:

1. Clean and assess. The existing surface is cleaned and inspected to confirm the base is sound enough to overlay.
2. Repair the base where needed. Cracks are filled, and any failed spots are cut out and patched so the new layer has a stable surface to bond to.
3. Apply a tack coat. A bonding layer helps the new asphalt adhere to the old.
4. Pave the overlay. A new layer of hot-mix asphalt, commonly around 1.5 to 2 inches, is laid and compacted over the existing driveway.
5. Cure. The new surface cures before heavy use and before any future sealcoating.

Done well over a sound base, an overlay produces a smooth, fresh driveway that adds years of service. The make-or-break step is the honest base assessment in step one.

What Resurfacing Costs in Portland

Resurfacing costs less than full replacement because it skips excavation, base rebuilding, and old-pavement removal. The exact figure depends on the driveway's size, how much crack and spot repair the surface needs before overlay, and access. As with all driveway work, Portland's conditions and current market pricing can push real costs above generic averages, and these are baseline references rather than firm prices.

For local pricing context across driveway projects, see our asphalt driveway cost in Portland guide. If the assessment shows the base has failed and replacement is the real need, our driveway replacement in Portland guide covers that path and why it sometimes costs less over time than overlaying a failing driveway twice.

How Multnomah County Soils Affect the Decision

Portland's heavy clay and silt soils hold water for months, which has two effects on the resurfacing decision. First, wet soils are harder on bases over time, so older Portland driveways are more likely to have base problems that rule out an overlay. Second, drainage is critical — if the original grade has failed and water now pools or runs wrong, resurfacing over it just re-creates the drainage problem on a new surface. Correcting drainage usually means rebuilding the grade, which is replacement-scale work.

This is why a Portland contractor should look at drainage and the base, not just the surface, before recommending resurfacing. An overlay on a driveway with good bones and working drainage is a smart, economical choice. An overlay on a failing base is money spent twice.

Is Resurfacing Right for Your Portland Driveway?

Resurfacing is the right move when your driveway is structurally sound but cosmetically and superficially worn — the most common scenario for driveways in the middle of their life. It is the wrong move when the base has failed, when drainage is broken, or when the driveway is simply too far gone, where replacement is the durable answer.

The only way to know which describes your driveway is an honest assessment of the base and drainage. We are glad to evaluate your Portland driveway, tell you straight whether resurfacing or replacement makes sense, and provide a free, itemized quote either way.