New Asphalt Driveway Installation in Florence, Oregon

Installing a New Asphalt Driveway in Florence

A new asphalt driveway is a lasting improvement to a Florence property — but on the Lane County coast, "lasting" depends almost entirely on getting the install right. Florence sits among sand dunes where the Siuslaw River meets the Pacific, with sandy soils, a high water table, and heavy coastal rain. A driveway built the way it would be built inland will not hold up here. What happens beneath the asphalt, especially the base and drainage, is what separates a coastal driveway that lasts decades from one that fails in a few years.

This guide walks through what a proper new asphalt driveway installation looks like in Florence, with special attention to the coastal conditions that make this work different. Understanding the process helps you ask the right questions and recognize a contractor who builds for the coast.

Permits and Right-of-Way in Florence

Before any ground is broken, confirm the permit picture for your situation. A new driveway that ties into a city street, or that changes how water drains across your property, may require a permit or a right-of-way (ROW) approval where it meets the public road. Replacing an existing driveway in the same footprint usually has lighter requirements than building a new one or widening the apron.

In Florence, requirements differ depending on whether your property is inside city limits or in unincorporated Lane County, and whether the driveway connects to a city street or a county road. Coastal drainage considerations can also factor into approvals. A local contractor familiar with the coast knows these distinctions and will handle the right-of-way coordination for you.

Base Preparation for Florence's Sandy Coastal Soil

The base is always the most important part of a new driveway, and on the Florence coast it is where the work truly differs from inland paving. Sandy soils do not provide the stable support firmer inland soils give, and a high water table means moisture sits close to the surface year-round.

A proper coastal installation follows these steps:

• Excavation and grading — The site is dug to the correct depth, often deeper than inland, and shaped so water drains away from the house
• Soil and water-table evaluation — Loose sand and high moisture often call for a geotextile stabilizing fabric placed between the sand and the rock to keep the base from sinking into the sand
• Thicker aggregate base — Coastal driveways frequently need a deeper compacted crushed-rock base than the 4 to 8 inches typical inland, to spread loads across the unstable sand
• Thorough compaction — Each layer is compacted carefully; on sand, compaction discipline is what prevents settling and cracking

This is the part of a coastal install you cannot afford to shortcut. A base built straight on loose sand will shift, and the asphalt above it will crack. For a stage-by-stage walkthrough of the general process, see our new asphalt driveway installation process guide, then layer the coastal base and drainage work on top.

Drainage on the Coast

With a high water table and heavy rainfall, drainage is not an afterthought in Florence — it is central to the design. The driveway must be graded so water sheds off the surface rather than pooling or seeping into the base. Some sites need additional drainage features to move water away. Good drainage protects both the surface and the base, and it is one of the clearest markers of a contractor who understands coastal work.

The Paving Process

With the base built, compacted, and graded for drainage, paving begins.

Laying the Asphalt

Hot-mix asphalt is delivered and spread, usually in one or two lifts. For a residential Florence driveway, the finished surface is typically 2.5 to 4 inches of compacted asphalt over the prepared base.

Compaction and Finishing

The fresh asphalt is rolled with a heavy compactor while hot, locking the material together and creating the smooth surface that sheds water. Edges are shaped so the driveway transitions cleanly to the street and surrounding ground.

Curing

New asphalt needs time to cure before heavy use. Keep vehicles off for a few days, and avoid parking in the same spot or turning sharply on it during the first few weeks.

Caring for Your New Coastal Driveway

On the coast, maintenance protects your investment against salt, sand, and constant moisture:

• Sealcoat the surface 6 to 12 months after installation, then every few years afterward — important in the salty, wet coastal air
• Fill cracks promptly before water can reach the base
• Keep drainage clear so water flows off rather than pooling
• Rinse off sand and salt periodically to reduce surface abrasion and wear

Our asphalt maintenance services cover sealcoating and crack repair to help your driveway stand up to the coastal climate.