Should You Repair or Replace Your Driveway?
Answer 7 quick questions about your driveway’s condition and we’ll tell you whether it needs a simple repair, a resurface, or a full replacement.
Take the Quiz
Takes about 60 seconds. No email required.
How old is your driveway?
If you’re not sure, give your best estimate.
What type of cracking do you see?
Pick the one that best describes your driveway right now.
Do you see any potholes or sunken areas?
Potholes are holes in the surface. Sunken areas are low spots where the surface has dropped.
Does water pool on the surface after it rains?
Standing water that doesn’t drain within a few hours indicates a grading or base problem.
Is the surface crumbling, flaking, or losing gravel?
This is called raveling — where the top layer breaks apart and you see loose stones or debris.
Have you had it repaired or sealcoated before?
Previous maintenance history helps determine how much life is left.
How much of the driveway is affected?
Think about the overall percentage of the surface that has visible damage.
✓ Repair
Your driveway likely needs minor repairs — not a full replacement.
What This Means
Based on your answers, your driveway is in fair to good condition with isolated issues that can be fixed without tearing everything out. Targeted repairs like crack sealing, patching, or small pothole fills should address the problems and extend the life of your existing pavement.
What We’d Recommend
A professional inspection to identify the specific repairs needed, followed by crack sealing or patching of the damaged areas. After repairs, a fresh sealcoat will protect the surface and give your driveway a clean, uniform look. This is typically the most cost-effective option — often 70–80% less than full replacement.
Estimated Cost Range
Minor asphalt repairs in the Myrtle Beach area typically run $200 – $1,500 depending on the size and number of areas being repaired. Sealcoating on top of that is usually $0.15 – $0.25 per square foot.
Want Us to Take a Look?
We’ll inspect your driveway for free and tell you exactly what it needs — no obligation.
Call (803) 281-3760⚠ Resurface
Your driveway is showing significant wear — resurfacing is likely the best option.
What This Means
Your driveway has widespread surface damage, but the base underneath may still be in decent shape. Resurfacing (also called an overlay) involves milling off the damaged top layer and applying a fresh layer of asphalt over the existing base. It’s a middle-ground option — less expensive than full replacement, but more comprehensive than spot repairs.
What We’d Recommend
A professional on-site assessment to evaluate the condition of the base layer. If the base is solid, we’ll mill the surface and apply a new 1.5 to 2-inch asphalt overlay. If we find base failure during the inspection, a full replacement may be necessary in those areas. We’ll be upfront about what we find.
Estimated Cost Range
Resurfacing in the Myrtle Beach area typically costs $2 – $4 per square foot, compared to $4 – $7 for full replacement. For an average 600 sq ft driveway, that’s roughly $1,200 – $2,400 for a resurface.
Let’s Check the Base
We’ll come out, inspect the base, and tell you whether a resurface will hold up — or if you need to go further. Free assessment.
Call (803) 281-3760❌ Replace
Your driveway is at the end of its life — full replacement is likely the right call.
What This Means
Based on your answers, your driveway has extensive damage that goes beyond the surface. Alligator cracking, significant sinking, base failure, or widespread deterioration all indicate that repairs and resurfacing won’t hold up long-term. Continuing to patch a failing driveway usually ends up costing more than replacing it outright.
What We’d Recommend
A complete tear-out and replacement. This includes removing the existing asphalt, excavating and re-compacting the subgrade, installing a new aggregate base layer (6–8 inches), and paving with fresh asphalt at the proper thickness (2–3 inches for residential). We also address grading and drainage during the replacement to prevent the same problems from recurring.
Estimated Cost Range
Full driveway replacement in the Myrtle Beach area typically runs $4 – $7 per square foot. For an average 600 sq ft driveway, that’s roughly $2,400 – $4,200. Larger driveways and sites requiring extra base work will be higher. We’ll give you an exact number during the free estimate.
Ready for a Fresh Start?
We’ll come out, confirm what needs to happen, and give you a written estimate. No obligation, no pressure.
Call (803) 281-3760Repair vs Resurface vs Replace: What’s the Difference?
A quick breakdown of your three options.
Repair (Patching & Crack Sealing)
Repairs fix isolated problems — a crack here, a pothole there. The existing driveway stays in place and the damaged areas are cleaned, filled, or patched. This works when the base is solid and the damage is limited to less than 25% of the surface. Repairs are the cheapest option and can add 3–5 years of life when paired with sealcoating.
Resurface (Overlay)
Resurfacing removes the damaged top layer and applies a new layer of asphalt over the existing base. This works when the surface is worn out but the base underneath is still structurally sound. It’s a mid-range option in terms of cost and typically adds 8–15 years of life. The key requirement is a solid base — if the base has failed, an overlay will crack and fail too.
Replace (Full Tear-Out)
Replacement means removing everything — old asphalt, old base, down to the subgrade — and starting from scratch. New base, new asphalt, new grading, new drainage. This is the most expensive option but it’s the only one that solves structural and base problems. A properly installed replacement driveway in the Grand Strand should last 15–20 years with regular maintenance.
Related Services
Whatever your driveway needs, we handle it.
Blacktop Repair
Crack filling, pothole repair, and patching for worn or damaged blacktop. Fix problems early before they get expensive.
Asphalt Paving
New asphalt driveways, roads, and surfaces installed with proper grading, base preparation, and compaction for long-lasting results.
Sealcoating
Protect your asphalt from the Grand Strand’s sun, salt air, and rain. Sealcoating extends the life of driveways and parking lots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about driveway repair and replacement.
Signs of base failure include alligator cracking (an interconnected web pattern), significant sinking or settling in sections, soft spots you can feel when walking on the surface, and areas where water pools and won’t drain. If you see these signs, repairs alone won’t fix the problem — the base needs to be rebuilt.
Repairs are always cheaper in the short term. But if your driveway needs frequent repairs — more than once a year — or if the damage keeps spreading, the total cost of repeated repairs can exceed the cost of a one-time replacement. A good rule of thumb: if repair costs would exceed 30–40% of replacement cost, replacing usually makes more financial sense.
Yes, as long as the base underneath is still solid. The old surface is milled down and a new layer of asphalt is applied on top. If there are areas with base failure, those sections need to be dug out and rebuilt before the overlay goes down. We’ll check the base condition during a free on-site assessment.
Most residential driveway replacements take 2–3 days from start to finish. Day one is typically tear-out and base prep, day two is paving, and day three is cleanup and any final grading. You can usually drive on the new surface within 24–48 hours after paving. Larger driveways or sites with drainage work may take an extra day.
Yes — especially in the Grand Strand where many properties are in FEMA flood zones. If your driveway has been flooded, standing water may have eroded the base material underneath. The surface might look okay, but the base could be compromised. A full replacement with proper grading and drainage is often the smarter move after significant flood damage.
Areas We Serve
Driveway repair and replacement across the Grand Strand.
Coastal Communities
Inland Communities
Not Sure? Let Us Come Look.
A free on-site assessment takes the guesswork out of it. We’ll tell you exactly what your driveway needs.
Call (803) 281-3760