In short, resurface your asphalt driveway when you see widespread cracking, fading to grey, ravelling at the edges, surface dips that pool water, or oxidation deeper than 5mm. Most driveways need a resurface every 12–18 years on the Central Coast, sealcoat in between. Here’s the longer story, with the 7 signs we check before quoting.
When does an asphalt driveway need resurfacing?
A resurface — laying a fresh 25–30mm of hot mix over the existing surface — is the right call when the base is sound but the wearing course is shot. Typical interval: every 12–18 years depending on traffic, drainage, and whether you’ve kept up sealcoats. If the base has failed (subgrade pumping, deep alligator cracking, full subsidence) you need a strip-out and rebuild, not a resurface.
Quick decision table
| Damage type | Sealcoat | Resurface | Replace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface fading, light cracks <3mm | Yes | – | – |
| Surface cracks 3–10mm wide | – | Yes | – |
| Ravelling edges, surface aggregate loose | – | Yes | – |
| Pothole patches >5 across driveway | – | Yes | – |
| Alligator cracking (interconnected) | – | – | Yes |
| Subgrade pumping (water through cracks) | – | – | Yes |
| Surface dips holding water >24h | – | Yes (with patch) | Possibly |
The 7 signs your driveway needs a resurface
1. Fading from black to grey
New asphalt is jet black. Healthy maintained asphalt stays dark grey. Once your driveway looks pale grey, almost concrete-coloured, the binder (bitumen) has oxidised on the surface. The mix below is still fine — a resurface puts a fresh wearing layer over the top.
On the Coast we see Coastal UV plus salt accelerates this. Driveways at Terrigal and Avoca grey out 2–3 years faster than the same job at Wyong or Ourimbah.
2. Cracks wider than 3mm
Hairline cracks under 3mm wide can be sealed with crack-fill ($4–$8 per linear metre). Once cracks open past 3mm, water gets into the base, freeze-thaw widens them every winter, and crack-fill won’t hold. That’s the resurface signal.
3. Ravelling at the edges
Ravelling is when individual stones loosen and pop out of the mix, leaving a gritty, rough surface. Common at driveway edges where the asphalt was laid thin. If you can sweep up a dustpan of loose stone after a windy day, the binder has let go and you need a fresh wearing layer.
4. Surface dips pooling water
Walk the driveway after rain. If water sits in dips for more than 24 hours, the surface profile has deformed. Resurfacing with a regulating course corrects the levels and restores drainage. Standing water is the #1 thing that kills asphalt.
5. Multiple patch repairs
Five or more visible patches across an average driveway means the surface is at end of life. Each patch is a maintenance hit; once they outnumber the unbroken sections, resurfacing top-to-bottom is cheaper than another round of patches.
6. Oxidation cracking deeper than 5mm
The surface looks like dried mud — small, interconnected cracks 5–10mm deep. If you can stick a screwdriver into the cracks and it goes in 5mm or more, the wearing course is gone. Resurface.
7. Aggregate exposed everywhere
When you can see the stones in the mix more than the bitumen holding them, that’s late-stage wear. Sealcoat won’t save it at this point. A 25–30mm overlay is the fix.
Sealcoat vs resurface: which one do I actually need?
Sealcoat is a thin (1–2mm) liquid topcoat that protects the surface. Resurfacing is a 25–30mm structural overlay.
| Job | Sealcoat | Resurface |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per m² | $2–$4 | $40–$55 |
| Thickness added | 1–2mm | 25–30mm |
| Lifespan extension | 3–5 years | 12–18 years |
| Time to drive on | 24 hours | Next day |
| Fixes cracks? | Hairline only | Up to 10mm |
| Fixes dips? | No | Yes |
Quick rule: sealcoat is paint, resurface is renovation. If your driveway just looks tired, sealcoat. If it’s structurally compromised, resurface. We’ve got a full breakdown in our sealcoat vs resurface guide.
How often should I sealcoat?
Every 5–7 years on the Central Coast. Sooner if you’re in full sun all day. Once you’ve missed the window and oxidation has set in, sealcoating won’t bring it back — at that point you’re due for a resurface.
Can I resurface over a really bad driveway?
Only if the base is sound. Resurfacing over a failed base is throwing money away — the new asphalt mirrors the cracks underneath within 18 months. If we see subgrade pumping or alligator cracking, we’ll tell you straight up that a rebuild is the smarter spend.
How long does a resurface last?
A properly laid 30mm overlay on a sound base lasts 12–18 years. The exact number depends on:
- Traffic load (residential 2 cars = top of range, daily tradie ute + trailer = middle, commercial = bottom)
- Drainage (well-graded = top of range, ponding = bottom)
- Sealcoat maintenance (sealcoated every 6 years = top of range, never resealed = bottom)
- Coastal exposure (sheltered = top, salt-spray exposed = bottom)
You can stretch it past 18 years if you’re diligent. We’ve resurfaced driveways at Springfield where the original overlay went 22 years.
What does a resurface cost on the Central Coast in 2026?
| Driveway size | Resurface cost (range) |
|---|---|
| 40m² (small suburban) | $1,800–$2,600 |
| 80m² (standard) | $3,400–$4,800 |
| 150m² (large) | $6,000–$8,500 |
| 300m² (rural) | $11,500–$16,000 |
That’s $40–$55 per m² for the resurface itself. Add $400–$1,200 if there’s drainage or regulating work to do first.
A real example: 95m² driveway in West Gosford, April 2026. Light cracking, surface fade, no base issues. Saw cut and tack coat, 28mm AC10 overlay, hand-edged around the brick path. Total: $4,180 inc GST. Owner’s other quote was $7,800 for a strip-out and replace they didn’t need.
Will resurfacing fix the drainage?
Only if the dips are minor. Resurfacing can correct profile variations up to about 30mm. Deeper drainage issues need a separate fix — regrading, drain installation, or full base rework. We’ll flag this before quoting.
When resurfacing is the wrong call
Don’t waste money resurfacing if:
- Base is pumping — water comes up through cracks under load. The whole pavement needs replacing.
- Alligator cracking covers >30% of the surface. The structural layer has failed.
- Settlement is ongoing — driveway has sunk 20mm+ in spots over the last year. Fix the cause first.
- Tree roots are pushing up — pull the trees or grind the roots before laying anything new.
- Driveway is over 25 years old AND never had a real prep job — the original base was probably thin. Strip and rebuild is the honest answer.
If you’re not sure, get someone honest out to look. We don’t quote a resurface unless we think the base will hold. Same for a full replace — if you don’t need it, we’ll tell you.
What about resurfacing in winter?
We resurface year-round on the Coast, but avoid pour days under 10°C ambient or rain within 24 hours. Hot mix cools off too fast in the cold and won’t compact properly. June and July we work the morning window, finish by 2pm. If you’re getting quoted for a winter pour after lunch, ask the contractor about cold-mix or postpone to spring.
For wet-weather rules on fresh asphalt, see our asphalt curing time and wet-weather guide.
FAQs
How often do you need to resurface an asphalt driveway?
Every 12–18 years on the Central Coast for a well-built driveway. Less often (8–12 years) if you’ve skipped sealcoating. Sealcoat itself only needs doing every 5–7 years.
How much does it cost to resurface a driveway in Australia 2026?
$40–$55 per m² for a 25–30mm overlay. An 80m² standard driveway costs $3,400–$4,800. Add a small amount if there are drainage or levelling adjustments needed.
Can I resurface my driveway myself?
No. Hot-mix asphalt arrives from the plant at 140°C, has to be laid and rolled in under 90 minutes, and needs a 1.5–3 tonne roller for compaction. Cold-mix patch products from Bunnings are fine for one pothole, useless for a full resurface.
Wondering if your driveway needs a resurface or just a sealcoat? Glenn or one of the crew can come out for a free assessment — send through the quote form. We’ve been doing this on the Coast for 30+ years and won’t sell you a resurface you don’t need.
