New Asphalt Driveway Installation in Tualatin, Oregon

Planning a New Asphalt Driveway in Tualatin

Putting in a new asphalt driveway in Tualatin means working within an established suburb, and that comes with its own set of considerations. The neighborhoods here are mature, which means tall firs and maples with root systems that have spread under and around existing driveways. The terrain near the Tualatin River and the town's low hills means many lots have a slope to manage. And like everywhere in the Portland metro, the long, wet winter makes drainage and base preparation the difference between a driveway that lasts and one that fails early.

Whether you are paving where there has never been a driveway, replacing a failed gravel approach, or installing one on a building lot, the work follows the same core sequence. What changes in Tualatin is the prep — roots, slope, and wet soil all factor in. Here is what a proper installation involves.

The Installation Sequence

A driveway is built in layers, each one carrying the one above. This is the order a careful crew follows.

Excavation and Layout

The crew stakes the path, strips topsoil and any old gravel, and cuts to firm sub-grade. On Tualatin's tree-lined lots, the layout often accounts for mature roots — shifting the path slightly to give a big maple room can prevent the new asphalt from heaving later. Grading is set here too, so water sheds away from the house on sloped lots.

Sub-Grade and Drainage

With the cut open, the sub-grade is inspected and compacted. Washington County's soils hold water through the rainy season, and saturated ground under a driveway is the leading cause of early failure. Soft spots get dug out and replaced. On sloped or low-lying lots, this is where drains, culverts, or extra grading go in to keep winter runoff from undermining the pavement.

Base Rock and Compaction

A layer of crushed aggregate base is spread and compacted in lifts. The base carries every vehicle that uses the driveway. Over moisture-holding metro soil, contractors often go deeper than the minimum and may lay a geotextile fabric to keep the base from sinking into wet ground. This is the most important step for lifespan and where cut-rate bids cut corners.

Asphalt Placement and Rolling

Hot-mix asphalt is delivered and spread in a binder and surface course, then rolled while hot. The mix has to be laid and compacted at the right temperature, which is why this is a job for a properly equipped crew rather than a weekend project. The full step-by-step asphalt driveway installation process is detailed in our statewide guide.

Cure Time

The driveway looks done within hours but stays soft for a while. Wait a few days before driving and several weeks before parking heavy loads or turning your wheels in place. Sealcoating should wait until the surface has cured for a season.

Permits and the Road Approach

Where your new driveway meets the public road is regulated. In Tualatin, a new or relocated approach typically requires a permit through the city; properties on county roads go through Washington County. The permit governs apron width, sight distance at the road, and how the approach handles drainage.

This matters because in an established neighborhood the city wants to be sure your new driveway is not pushing water onto the road or a neighbor's lot. A contractor who works in the Tualatin area regularly will handle the approach permit and build the apron to standard. Skipping it can mean a stop-work order or tearing out finished work.

What It Costs

New asphalt driveways are priced per square foot, with the total swinging on size, base depth, removal, slope, and access. Industry baseline ranges have historically been reported around $3 to $7 per square foot, though actual costs in Tualatin frequently run higher once tree roots, slope, and removal are included. For more, see our asphalt driveway cost across Oregon guide.

What pushes a Tualatin install higher:

• Tree roots — Clearing or working around mature roots adds labor before paving.
• Slope and grading — Sloped lots need more cut-and-fill and drainage work.
• Base depth — A deeper, well-drained base over wet metro soil adds cost but is essential.
• Removal — Tearing out an old gravel or asphalt surface adds labor and disposal.
• Access — Tree-lined or narrow approaches that slow equipment raise labor.

These are industry baselines, not a Cojo quote. The accurate figure comes from a site visit.

Why Base Prep Wins in This Climate

In the wet Portland metro, the base is what determines lifespan. Tualatin gets a long, soaking winter, and water is the enemy of asphalt. A driveway on a deep, compacted, well-drained base flexes with the seasons and sheds water for decades. One on a thin base over wet soil cracks, sinks, and alligators within a few years no matter how clean the asphalt looked on day one.

This is why the lowest bid is often the most expensive over time — crews cut corners in the base, where you cannot see the difference until it fails. Ask any contractor exactly how deep they excavate, how thick the base rock is, and how they handle drainage and the tree roots common on Tualatin lots. After the install, ongoing asphalt maintenance services protect what you paid for.

Timeline

A typical Tualatin residential install takes one to three days of active work, weather permitting, plus cure time. Lots with significant root removal or drainage work take longer. Paving season runs late spring through early fall, when it is warm and dry enough for the asphalt to cure. Booking in spring for summer work usually secures better scheduling before the season fills.