Asphalt
Driveway Resurfacing vs Replacement: Cost Compared
Cojo
March 6, 2026
11 min read
Your driveway is showing its age. Cracks are spreading, the color has faded to gray, and maybe a few low spots are holding water after rain. The question every Oregon homeowner faces at this point is whether to resurface (overlay) the existing driveway or tear it out and start fresh.
The right answer depends on one thing: the condition of the base underneath the surface. Get this decision right and you save 40-60% compared to unnecessary replacement. Get it wrong and you waste $1,000-3,000 on a resurfacing job that fails within two years.
This guide shows you exactly how to make the right call.
Resurfacing -- also called an asphalt overlay -- involves applying a new layer of hot-mix asphalt (typically 1.5-2 inches thick) over the existing driveway surface. The old asphalt stays in place and serves as the base for the new layer.
The process:
Timeline: 1 day for most residential driveways. Usable within 24-48 hours.
Full replacement removes everything -- the existing asphalt surface, the aggregate base beneath it, and sometimes the subgrade soil -- then rebuilds from scratch.
The process:
Timeline: 2-5 days depending on the subgrade condition and driveway size.
| Cost Factor | Resurfacing (Overlay) | Full Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Material cost (per sq ft) | $0.75-1.50 | $1.50-3.00 |
| Labor cost (per sq ft) | $0.75-2.00 | $2.00-4.50 |
| Total installed (per sq ft) | $1.50-3.50 | $3.50-7.50 |
| Typical 600 sq ft driveway | $900-2,100 | $2,100-4,500 |
| Removal/disposal | Not needed | $500-1,500 |
| Subbase work | Minor repairs only | Full replacement included |
| Expected lifespan | 8-15 years | 15-25 years |
| Cost per year of life | $100-175/year | $105-225/year |
| Disruption time | 1 day | 2-5 days |
| Drives on new surface | 24-48 hours | 48-72 hours |
The base condition determines everything. Here is how to evaluate your driveway before calling a contractor.
When there is any doubt, a contractor can take a core sample -- a cylindrical plug cut from the pavement with a coring drill. The core reveals:
A core sample costs $100-200 and takes 15 minutes. It is the definitive diagnostic tool for the resurface-vs-replace decision.
Resurfacing at $1.50-3.50 per square foot versus replacement at $3.50-7.50 per square foot saves significant money when the base is sound:
| Driveway Size | Resurfacing Cost | Replacement Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 sq ft | $600-1,400 | $1,400-3,000 | $800-1,600 |
| 600 sq ft | $900-2,100 | $2,100-4,500 | $1,200-2,400 |
| 800 sq ft | $1,200-2,800 | $2,800-6,000 | $1,600-3,200 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,500-3,500 | $3,500-7,500 | $2,000-4,000 |
Resurfacing takes one day and your driveway is usable the next. Replacement takes 2-5 days and requires 48-72 hours before driving on the new surface. For households that cannot park on the street for multiple days, resurfacing minimizes disruption.
Resurfacing reuses the existing pavement as a base layer, keeping material out of the waste stream. Replacement generates old asphalt waste that must be recycled or landfilled. While asphalt is one of the most recycled materials in America, reducing waste is always preferable.
Once the aggregate base loses its structural integrity -- from water infiltration, clay migration, or decomposition -- no amount of new surface material will perform. The new overlay will crack, settle, and pothole just like the old surface, except now you have spent $900-2,100 on a temporary fix.
If your driveway does not drain properly, resurfacing cannot fix the problem. An overlay follows the existing grade. If water pools now, it will pool after resurfacing. Full replacement allows re-grading for proper drainage -- critical in Oregon's wet climate.
Each overlay adds 1.5-2 inches of height. After one or two overlays, the driveway surface rises above the garage floor, walkways, and landscaping borders. This creates trip hazards, drainage problems, and an awkward appearance. At that point, tearing everything out and starting at the correct elevation is the only solution.
When more than 30-40% of the driveway surface shows alligator cracking, potholes, or significant settling, the cost of spot repairs plus overlay approaches or exceeds replacement cost. At that damage level, replacement delivers far better long-term value.
Between overlay and full replacement, there is a third option: mill and fill.
Milling machines grind off the top 1-2 inches of existing asphalt, then new asphalt is applied in the same thickness. This maintains the existing elevation (no height increase), removes surface damage, and reuses the underlying asphalt as the base.
Cost: $2.50-5.00 per square foot -- between overlay and full replacement.
Best for: Driveways with sound bases but significant surface damage, or driveways that have already been overlaid once and cannot accept additional height.
Oregon's clay soils are the leading cause of premature driveway failure. Clay expands when wet (October-May) and contracts when dry (June-September). This seasonal cycle moves the subgrade, which stresses the base, which cracks the surface.
If your driveway is failing due to clay movement, resurfacing will not solve the problem. Full replacement with a deeper base and geotextile separation is the lasting fix.
Oregon's 36-50 inches of annual rainfall demands proper driveway drainage. During replacement, we design grades that move water away from the house and garage, preventing both pavement damage and foundation issues.
Water in cracks freezes and expands during winter cold snaps. If cracks are sealed before winter and the surface is sealcoated regularly, freeze-thaw damage is minimal. If maintenance has been deferred, freeze-thaw cycles accelerate base failure quickly.
Learn more about seasonal maintenance timing in our Oregon asphalt maintenance calendar.
We will never recommend replacement when resurfacing will do the job, and we will never let you waste money on resurfacing when the base has failed. Our assessments include visual inspection, core sampling when needed, and a detailed written recommendation with costs for both options.
Contact us for a free driveway evaluation. We serve residential properties throughout the Willamette Valley, from Portland to Eugene.
See examples of our driveway work and learn more about our residential paving services.
How much does driveway resurfacing cost in Oregon? Asphalt driveway resurfacing (overlay) in Oregon costs $1.50-3.50 per square foot, or roughly $900-2,100 for a typical 600-square-foot driveway. This includes surface preparation, tack coat, and 1.5-2 inches of new hot-mix asphalt.
How much does full driveway replacement cost in Oregon? Full driveway replacement in Oregon costs $3.50-7.50 per square foot, or $2,100-4,500 for a typical 600-square-foot driveway. This includes removal of the existing surface, subbase repair or replacement, and new asphalt installation.
How long does a resurfaced driveway last? A properly installed asphalt overlay lasts 8-15 years depending on traffic, maintenance, and base condition. If the underlying base is solid, an overlay can perform nearly as well as a full replacement at roughly half the cost.
Can you resurface a driveway with major cracks? It depends on the type of cracking. Linear cracks and minor block cracking can be sealed before overlay. Alligator cracking (interconnected pattern) indicates base failure -- resurfacing over a failed base wastes money because the new surface will crack within 1-3 years. Those areas need full-depth repair or replacement.
Is resurfacing just a temporary fix? Not necessarily. When the existing base is structurally sound, resurfacing is a legitimate long-term solution that adds 8-15 years of life. It becomes a temporary fix only when applied over a failing base. A qualified contractor will core-sample your driveway to determine whether the base supports resurfacing.
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