How Much Does It Cost to Pressure Wash a Driveway? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $100 - $350
Expect to spend between $100 and $500 to pressure wash a driveway, depending on the size. Some materials, such as pavers and gravel, are more delicate and might be more expensive to wash.
The cost to pressure wash a driveway ranges from $100 to $500, but most people pay around $210. Factors like your driveway's size and type can impact how much you'll pay. Learn all about how much it costs to pressure wash a driveway so you can budget accordingly and boost your curb appeal.
- Average
- $210
- Low end
- $100
- high end
- $500
Cost Factors to Pressure Wash a Driveway
Several factors can affect the cost of pressure washing a driveway, such as the driveway's size and type. On average, pressure washing costs $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot. Your driveway's condition can also impact your final price.
Driveway Size
The cost to pressure wash a driveway ranges from $25 to $50 for an average 120-square-foot driveway, plus labor. Your driveway's size is the most significant cost factor. In fact, many pros use square footage to charge for pressure washing. The bigger your driveway, the more you can expect to pay to pressure wash it.
Here’s a breakdown of pressure washing costs by the size of your driveway:
| Dimensions (Feet) | Square Footage | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10x20 | 120 | $25–$50 |
| 12x24 | 288 | $60–$115 |
| 20x20 | 400 | $80–$160 |
| 20x24 | 480 | $100–$200 |
| 24x24 | 576 | $115–$230 |
| 24x36 | 864 | $175–$350 |
Driveway Material
Your driveway's material can also affect costs since certain materials are tougher to clean than others. The relatively smooth surfaces of concrete and asphalt are the easiest and therefore least expensive to clean. Meanwhile, gravel and paver driveways cost the most since it's harder to remove dirt and grime stuck between the stones.
Driveway Condition
If your driveway is severely damaged or has several deep cracks, you might need to pay to repair it before pressure washing since pressure washing these areas can potentially create more damage. And if you have quite a few stains, mold, and/or weeds, you'll likely need to pay for extra cleaning solutions and mold/weed removal in addition to pressure washing.
Labor
If you hire a local pressure washing company to clean your driveway, you can expect to pay between $60 and $125 per hour in labor costs. It only takes one to two hours to complete the job, but if your driveway is very large or in poor condition, it can take longer.
Cost to Pressure Wash a Driveway by Material
It costs the most to pressure wash gravel and paver driveways, while concrete and asphalt cost the least thanks to their smooth surfaces. Brick driveways fall right in the middle of the cost spectrum.
| Driveway Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Concrete | $120–$190 |
| Asphalt | $125–$195 |
| Brick | $130–$200 |
| Paver | $135–$210 |
| Gravel | $135–$210 |
Concrete
Pressure washing a 600-square-foot concrete driveway costs between $120 and $190. The porous nature of concrete often requires a concrete-safe cleaning solution and a high setting on the pressure washer to adequately loosen up all the dirt and debris within it.
Asphalt
A high setting on the pressure washer can damage asphalt, so it needs to be done on a lower setting. For this reason, you need to apply cleaning solutions before pressure washing to break up stains and dirt. This added step can increase costs, but not by much. It costs between $125 and $195 to pressure wash a 600-square-foot asphalt driveway.
Brick
Brick can take a high-pressure setting for a cleaning, but the mortar that holds it together is a magnet for dirt and grime, so it often takes longer to pressure wash than asphalt and concrete. For that reason, it's a bit more expensive, ranging from $130 to $200 for a 600-square-foot driveway.
Paver
The cost to pressure wash paver driveways ranges from $135 to $210. It's more expensive than other types since pavers often form intricate patterns and designs, with lots of cracks that the water needs to work through. If the driveway is sealed, you can usually use a high-pressure setting, but unsealed paver driveways require a low-pressure setting so as not to damage the driveway, which means it might take longer and increase costs.
Gravel
Gravel driveways cost about the same to pressure wash as paver driveways, ranging from $135 to $210. This material requires some finesse to clean since the pressure washer can potentially displace the gravel. So you either need to pressure wash it from relatively far away on a high setting or relatively close on a low setting.
Additional Costs to Consider
In many cases, you'll need additional services or materials beyond the pressure washer to get the job done. For instance, materials like concrete require a sealant to retain their appearance, in which case you should factor in the cost of sealing your driveway when budgeting for pressure washing.
Driveway Sealing
Adding a sealant to your driveway after pressure washing will help it look great for much longer. The cost to seal a driveway ranges from $250 to $770. Your driveway needs to be completely dry before sealing. Once the sealant is applied, you should wait at least 24 hours to drive on it.
Driveway Preparation
Depending on your driveway's condition, you might need to factor preparation costs into your budget. For instance, if your driveway is badly damaged, you'll often need to pay repair costs before pressure washing. The cost to repair an asphalt driveway with significant damage ranges from $1,000 to $3,600, but fixing small cracks or holes might only cost $100 to $300.
Pressure Washer Rental Costs
If you decide to pressure wash the driveway yourself and you don't currently own a pressure washer, then it's a good idea to add rental costs to your budget. It costs between $50 and $100 per day to rent a pressure washer. Fortunately, you probably only need it for one day.
Degreaser and Detergent
Grease, oil, and other stains often require the application of a degreaser and/or detergent before pressure washing. Since this can add time to the job, it can increase your labor costs. But if you're taking the DIY route, you can purchase these solvents for between $10 and $20.
Cost to Pressure Wash Yourself
Pressure washing a driveway comes with some risks worth considering if you’ve never operated a pressure washer before. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using a pressure washer incorrectly can lead to electric shock or carbon monoxide poisoning. You can also injure other people who get too close. So, before you decide to pressure wash your driveway yourself, follow these tips to avoid hazards:
Inspect the pressure washer ahead of time for signs of damage. Loose parts can shoot off and injure you.
Keep all pets and children away from the driveway while your pressure washer is in use.
Wear proper personal protective equipment when using a pressure washer. This includes goggles, a face shield, a long-sleeved shirt, close-toed shoes, and long pants.
Follow the instructions on your pressure washer.
Protect fragile decor and landscaping from damage by covering or removing it.
Avoid standing too close to the driveway when spraying.
Ensure you have the right nozzle for the job.
If you feel confident in your skills and ability to follow safety precautions, then you can potentially save money by pressure washing the driveway yourself, but there are still some DIY costs to consider. For starters, if you don't already have a pressure washer, you'll need to rent one from a local hardware store. Pressure washer rentals cost between $50 to $100 per day, but you probably only need one day to complete the job.
If your driveway has large stains from grease and oil that you want to remove, then you should also budget for cleaning solvents that can help break up those stains before washing them away. Cleaning solvents cost between $10 and $20 per bottle.
Cost to DIY Pressure Wash vs. Hiring a Contractor
If you hire a pro to pressure wash your driveway, you'll likely pay between $60 and $125 per hour in labor costs. If you have a small driveway, it might only take a pro an hour to finish the job, so costs are similar to the $60 to $120 you'd likely pay to DIY the project, including rental and solvent costs.
However, if you have a large driveway or need lots of prep work done before you can start pressure washing, then hiring a pro becomes more expensive than doing it yourself since it will require more time and labor to complete the job. But regardless of your driveway's size, the best pros know how to pressure wash a driveway with ease and efficiency, so while you might not always save money by hiring one, you can save time (and potential headaches) by doing so.
Cost of Common Pressure Washing Add-Ons
Whether you rent a pressure washer to DIY your cleaning or you hire a pro, you might want to tackle other pressure washing jobs while the pressure washer is at your home. Some common pressure washing add-ons and their prices include:
Siding: $150 to $1,200
Gutters: $50 to $300
Roof: $250 to $700
Fence: $150 to $300
Deck or Patio: $200 to $400
How to Save Money When Pressure Washing a Driveway
If you want to spruce up your driveway without breaking the bank too much, there are several ways to potentially save money on pressure washing a driveway, including:
Getting quotes from multiple pros to find the best price
Pressure washing the driveway yourself, particularly if you have a large driveway
Making your own cleaning solvents with household ingredients, like vinegar and baking soda
Performing regular maintenance to minimize the need for extensive cleaning
Bundling several pressure washing services together for a potential bulk discount
Questions to Ask a Pressure Washing Pro
Choosing a professional contractor to pressure wash your home can make all the difference between a job well done and a job not so well done. The best way to choose a pressure washing pro is by finding at least three contractors or companies and vetting them. To help you find the best pressure washing pro near you, ask the following questions:
How many years of experience do you have?
Do you have any credentials?
What methods do you use to clean driveways?
Do you have a workmanship warranty and insurance?
What availability do you have?
What happens if you damage my property?
How long does it take to complete the job?
How much do you charge to pressure wash a driveway?
What’s the cancellation policy?
Do you offer any additional services?
Do you offer a customer satisfaction guarantee?
Kelly Weimert contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on how often you use your driveway, as well as the degree of dirt and debris on the surrounding roads. However, your driveway will likely look clean for at least a few months to a year after pressure washing it.
You can apply bleach to the driveway before pressure washing it, but you should never put bleach in the pressure washing machine since it can damage the unit. However, bleach is potentially harmful to the surrounding environment, so consider other stain removers to offer the greatest protection to plants, wildlife, pets, and children.
You don't technically need to seal your driveway after pressure washing, but doing so will help keep your driveway clean for longer. The best driveway sealer depends on the type of driveway you have. To seal asphalt, consider an asphalt emulsion sealer, fast-drying sealer, or latex acrylic sealer. Concrete driveways commonly use acrylic sealers or penetrating sealers.
How often you should pressure wash your driveway really depends on your preferences. But most pressure washing jobs wear off after a few months to a year, so you might consider pressure washing twice per year to keep your driveway looking great all year long. While you’re at it, you can also pressure wash your gutters and brick veneer siding.