Driveway Restoration vs. Resurfacing: Which One Does Your Spokane Driveway Need?

Is your driveway full of cracks? Does it look old and worn out? Has another harsh Spokane winter damaged your concrete or asphalt? You're not alone. Most driveways in our area start to show serious damage after 15-20 years. The freeze and thaw cycles we get here are really hard on concrete.

Here's the good news: You have options that won't cost a fortune—if you pick the right fix for your driveway.

This guide will help you understand driveway restoration and resurfacing. We'll explain what each one costs in Spokane, show you the main differences, and help you choose the best option for your home. You'll learn what each service includes, how much different driveway sizes cost to fix, and clear signs that show which option you need.

How Much Does Driveway Restoration Cost?

Driveway restoration typically costs $3–$8 per square foot for asphalt and $4–$10 per square foot for concrete. The price depends on how bad the damage is and how much work needs to be done. A normal 2-car driveway (400–600 square feet) costs $1,200–$4,800 on average.

Restoration includes filling cracks, patching holes, cleaning the surface, and sealing it to protect it. This works great for driveways that have some damage but still have a strong base underneath.

Full resurfacing (putting a new layer on top) costs a bit more at $4–$10 per square foot. This is better when your driveway is too damaged for just patching and sealing.

Want to know exactly what your Spokane driveway will cost? Get a free check-up from Concrete Revival → or call (509) 608-3211

What Is Driveway Restoration? (And When You Need It)

Driveway restoration brings your old concrete or asphalt back to life without tearing it out. Think of it like giving your driveway intensive care instead of replacing it completely.

What Restoration Includes:

Filling cracks – Sealing cracks smaller than ¼ inch to stop water from getting in
Fixing damaged spots – Repairing potholes and broken areas
Deep cleaning – Removing oil stains, salt marks, and dirt buildup
Sealing – Putting on a protective coating to guard against Spokane's freezing and thawing weather

When Your Driveway Needs Restoration:

Your driveway is probably good for restoration if it has:

Age: 5–15 years old
Crack size: Small surface cracks less than ¼ inch wide
Structure: No major sinking or settling problems
Damage: Only a few problem areas, not damage everywhere
Surface: Some fading or small pits, but still solid underneath

Asphalt vs. Concrete Restoration

Asphalt restoration works really well in Spokane when you catch problems early. Asphalt is flexible, so it responds well to crack sealing and special coatings that restore the oils lost during winter.

Concrete restoration focuses on injecting cracks, smoothing out uneven spots, and applying sealers that keep moisture out. This is really important for stopping the damage that happens when water freezes and expands inside concrete.

According to research from NPR's reporting on infrastructure maintenance, properly executed restoration can extend your driveway's functional life by 5–10 years, making it the most cost-effective choice for driveways showing early-to-moderate wear.

At Concrete Revival, we check your driveway carefully before we tell you what it needs. We measure the cracks and test the base to make sure you get the right fix. Our Winter Damage Prevention System makes sure restored driveways can handle Spokane's toughest weather.

What Is Driveway Resurfacing? (And How It's Different)

Resurfacing goes further than restoration. Instead of just fixing what's there, resurfacing means putting a whole new 1.5–2 inch layer on top of your old driveway.

When Resurfacing Makes Sense:

Resurfacing is your best choice for driveways that have:

Age: 15–25 years old
Damage: Cracks covering more than 30% of the surface
Surface wear: Heavy fading, pitting, or flaking from years of winter damage
Structure: Strong base with no major settling or water drainage problems

Why Resurfacing Costs More

The extra cost covers both materials and work:

A full layer of new asphalt or concrete
Lots of surface prep and bonding work
Edge trimming to blend with the areas around it
Special equipment to apply the new layer

How Long Resurfacing Lasts

When your driveway's base is still strong, resurfacing can add 8–15 years of life. That's almost as long as a brand new driveway at about half the cost.

Important Note

Resurfacing won't work if your driveway has:

A broken or failing base
Serious sinking or settling
Big drainage problems with standing water
Alligator cracking (cracks that connect and look like reptile scales)

In these cases, you need a complete replacement because no amount of surface work can fix a bad foundation.

Driveway Restoration Cost Breakdown (By Size)

Here are the real costs to help you plan your budget:

Asphalt Restoration Costs:

Asphalt restoration typically runs $3–$8 per square foot. This includes crack filling, patching damaged areas, deep cleaning, and applying two coats of high-quality sealant.

Single-car driveways (200–300 square feet) cost between $600–$2,400 for asphalt restoration.

Standard 2-car driveways (400–600 square feet) cost between $1,200–$4,800 for asphalt restoration.

Large or rural driveways (1,000+ square feet) cost between $3,000–$8,000+ for asphalt restoration.

Concrete Restoration Costs:

Concrete restoration typically runs $4–$10 per square foot. This includes crack injection, surface repairs, and applying penetrating sealer.

Single-car driveways (200–300 square feet) cost between $800–$3,000 for concrete restoration.

Standard 2-car driveways (400–600 square feet) cost between $1,600–$6,000 for concrete restoration.

Large or rural driveways (1,000+ square feet) cost between $4,000–$10,000+ for concrete restoration.

What Makes Restoration Cost More?

Several things can push the price higher:

Lots of patching needed – Driveways with many potholes or broken areas need more materials and time to fix properly.

Many cracks – Lots of cracks need more filling material and work. In Spokane, snow plows often damage edges and create cracks that need special care.

Stain removal – Oil stains, rust marks, and mold need chemical treatment and sometimes grinding to remove before sealing.

Extra sealer coats – Really weathered surfaces may need three coats instead of two for good protection.

Hard to reach areas – Long driveways or areas where equipment can't easily get to can cost more.

Spokane-Specific Costs

Labor costs in Eastern Washington are usually 10–15% lower than Seattle-area prices. But our harsh winters mean we often need to do more prep work. The freezing and thawing we get here causes damage below the surface that must be fixed for lasting results.

How We Check Your Driveway at Concrete Revival

When you call us for a price quote, we don't just look at your driveway quickly and guess. Our check-up includes:

Crack mapping – We measure how much of your surface has cracks
Base testing (when needed) – Checking how strong the base is under problem areas
Drainage check – Looking for water flow problems that caused damage
Winter damage review – Finding damage from snow plows, ice, and salt that's specific to Spokane

This careful approach means you get an accurate price and the right service—not an upsell to something you don't need.

Ready to restore your driveway? See our driveway restoration services in Spokane or call (509) 608-3211 for a free check-up.

Driveway Resurfacing Cost Breakdown

Here's what resurfacing costs, so you can compare it directly to restoration:

Asphalt Resurfacing Costs:

Asphalt resurfacing typically runs $4–$8 per square foot. This includes surface preparation, applying a 1.5–2 inch new overlay, edge work, and professional sealant application.

Single-car driveways (200–300 square feet) cost between $800–$2,400 for asphalt resurfacing.

Standard 2-car driveways (400–600 square feet) cost between $1,600–$4,800 for asphalt resurfacing.

Large or rural driveways (1,000+ square feet) cost between $4,000–$8,000+ for asphalt resurfacing.

Concrete Resurfacing Costs:

Concrete resurfacing typically runs $5–$10 per square foot. This includes bonding agent application, pouring the new overlay, professional finishing, and sealer application.

Single-car driveways (200–300 square feet) cost between $1,000–$3,000 for concrete resurfacing.

Standard 2-car driveways (400–600 square feet) cost between $2,000–$6,000 for concrete resurfacing.

Large or rural driveways (1,000+ square feet) cost between $5,000–$10,000+ for concrete resurfacing.

What Makes Resurfacing Cost More?

Base prep work – Removing loose material, filling low spots, and making sure the new layer bonds properly takes time and materials.

Layer thickness – Using a full 2-inch layer instead of 1.5 inches lasts longer but costs 25–30% more in materials.

Edge work – Properly blending edges where the new layer meets existing concrete or landscaping needs skilled workers.

High-quality sealer – Good sealers made for Spokane winters add $0.50–$1.50 per square foot but help your driveway last much longer.

Resurfacing vs. Full Replacement: Cost Comparison

Resurfacing costs $4–$10 per square foot and typically lasts 8–15 years when done properly.

Full replacement costs $8–$15 per square foot and typically lasts 20–30 years with proper maintenance.

The money-saving truth: Resurfacing costs about 50–60% of full replacement but gives you 60–80% of the lifespan when your base is still good. That makes it the smart middle choice for driveways that are too damaged for restoration but don't have serious base problems.

What Works Best in Spokane

In our climate, we often recommend slightly thicker layers (closer to 2 inches) and better cold-weather sealers. While this adds 15–20% to the basic resurfacing cost, it really reduces the chance of problems during the first winter.

We've finished 847 projects in a row on schedule. Our Winter Damage Prevention System has stopped 95% of winter damage claims over the past five years. That track record shows our commitment to making every driveway survive Spokane's brutal weather.

Restoration vs. Resurfacing: Which One Do You Need?

Let's make this simple. Use this checklist to figure out which service matches your driveway's condition.

Choose RESTORATION If Your Driveway Has:

✓ Age: Less than 15 years old
✓ Cracks: Mostly small surface cracks less than ¼ inch wide
✓ Surface: 70% or more of the surface still looks good
✓ Damage: Only a few problem areas, not everywhere
✓ Structure: No sinking, settling, or drainage problems
✓ Budget: You want the most affordable option that adds 5–10 years

Common restoration needs in Spokane:

Snow plow damage on edges but the rest looks okay
Winter cracks from freezing and thawing
Fading and minor wear from salt used on ice
Oil stains and appearance problems

Choose RESURFACING If Your Driveway Has:

✓ Age: 15–25 years old
✓ Damage: Cracks cover more than 30% of the surface
✓ Surface: Heavy fading, pitting, or flaking everywhere
✓ Wear: Damage in many areas
✓ Base: Foundation still strong (no major settling)
✓ Goal: Want a longer-lasting fix that adds 8–15 years

Common resurfacing needs in Spokane:

Driveway getting close to 20 years old with lots of winter damage
Surface too damaged for patching to work well
Previous repairs that didn't last
Want to make it look and work much better

Choose FULL REPLACEMENT If Your Driveway Has:

✗ Base problems: Serious settling or sinking areas
✗ Alligator cracks: Connected crack patterns that look like reptile scales
✗ Water problems: Standing water that won't drain
✗ Age: 25+ years old with serious structure problems
✗ Failed fixes: Previous resurfacing jobs that failed within 2–3 years

What We've Learned from Checking Hundreds of Driveways

In our experience looking at hundreds of Spokane driveways, about 60% need only restoration—not the full resurfacing homeowners often think they need. We find that many property owners don't realize what good patching, crack sealing, and our Winter Damage Prevention System can do.

The key is catching problems early. That driveway you think is "too far gone" may just need expert restoration work to give you another 8–10 years.

Still Not Sure?

We understand—without a professional looking at it, it's hard to know if those cracks go deep or if your base has problems. That's why we offer free, no-pressure check-ups throughout the Spokane area.

Schedule your free driveway check-up with Concrete Revival or call (509) 608-3211. We'll give you an honest opinion and recommend the most affordable solution—even if that means telling you that you're fine for another few years with just basic care.

How Long Will Your Fixed Driveway Last?

Once you spend money on restoration or resurfacing, you want to know exactly how long it will last—and how to make it last as long as possible.

How Long Restored Driveways Last

Asphalt restoration adds 5–10 more years of life to your driveway.

Concrete restoration adds 6–12 more years of life to your driveway.

How long it lasts depends on:

How well the original base was built
How bad the damage was before restoration
How you take care of it after restoration
Exposure to Spokane's freezing, thawing, and snow removal equipment

Properly restored asphalt driveways that get regular resealing can last even longer than expected.

How Long Resurfaced Driveways Last

Asphalt resurfacing adds 8–15 years of life to your driveway.

Concrete resurfacing adds 10–15 years of life to your driveway.

Resurfacing lasts longer because you're basically building a new surface over an existing base. The new layer hasn't been through years of weather and gives fresh protection.

Taking Care of Your Driveway: The Most Important Part

Here's the truth—your restored or resurfaced driveway will last longest only if you take care of it properly. In Spokane's climate, that means:

Every 2–3 years:

Reseal asphalt surfaces with good quality sealant
Put concrete sealer on to keep moisture out

Every year:

Fill new cracks quickly before they get bigger through winter freezing and thawing
Clean oil stains and salt marks in spring
Clear plants and organic material from edges to stop moisture buildup

After snow removal:

Check for snow plow damage and fix it right away
Don't use too much salt for ice—use sand or other materials when possible

Our Best Tip

We tell customers to mark their calendar with sealing reminders. It's the single most important care task, and it's easy to forget until cracks start showing up. We send reminder emails to our customers at the 2-year mark because we want your investment to last.

Many homeowners who seal regularly get 12–15 years from restored driveways and 15+ years from resurfacing—lasting longer than expected because they treated their driveway like the important investment it is.

How Long Full Replacement Lasts

For comparison, a completely new driveway with proper base prep usually lasts:

Asphalt: 20–30 years
Concrete: 25–35 years

It lasts longer but costs 2–3× more than resurfacing (around $8–$15 per square foot compared to $4–$10 per square foot). For many Spokane homeowners, resurfacing at year 15–20 and then resurfacing again at year 30 makes more sense money-wise than replacement—especially if you're not planning to stay in the home for 30+ years.

Ready to Fix Your Spokane Driveway?

Your driveway takes a beating from Spokane's harsh winters, snow removal equipment, and constant freezing and thawing. But with the right restoration or resurfacing work, you can add years of life without the cost of full replacement.

Why Choose Concrete Revival?

Winter-Proof Specialists – We design every job to survive Spokane's brutal freezing and thawing, backed by our 10-year promise.

We Show Up When We Say We Will – We've finished 847 projects in a row on schedule. No ghosting, no excuses.

Your Neighbor's Concrete Guy – We're Spokane natives who live in the neighborhoods we serve. Ask around—someone on your street knows our work.

What to Do Next:

📞 Call (509) 608-3211 for same-day price quotes
📍 Find us on Google to see our service area, hours, and reviews from your Spokane neighbors

We provide free check-ups, honest pricing, and quality work throughout the Spokane area, including Liberty Lake, Cheney, and the Coeur d'Alene area.

Don't wait until next winter turns small cracks into big problems. Let's check your driveway and recommend the most affordable solution to protect your investment and make your home look great.

Your driveway deserves concrete that doesn't just survive Spokane winters—it laughs at them.

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