How Long Until You Can Drive on New Asphalt?

If you invest in a new asphalt surface, you’re probably eager to start using it! But driving on it too soon can damage your brand-new surface. Use this guide to determine when it’s safe to drive on new asphalt, along with tips to maintain the surface before it’s fully cured. 

Why You Should Wait Before Driving on Asphalt

Waiting before driving on newly laid asphalt plays a very important role in how long asphalt lasts. Driving on asphalt too soon can lead to surface dents, cracks, and other damage, which can compromise its durability and reduce its life span. 

When it comes to asphalt setting, there are two important phases to be aware of: the drying phase and the curing phase. When asphalt is dry, it can typically endure light foot and vehicle traffic, but it’s not until it’s fully cured, aka hardened, that it can withstand heavy traffic.

How Long Should You Wait Before Driving on Asphalt?

You can drive on new asphalt after it’s dry and before it’s fully cured, but you should take some precautions. It typically takes asphalt between 24 and 72 hours to dry, depending on the asphalt thickness and climate conditions. Once it’s fully dry, you can drive on it, but you should be careful not to make sudden stops or turns, which can scuff new asphalt. 

You should also avoid using heavy commercial vehicles or sharp equipment on the asphalt until it’s fully cured since they can damage the equipment. It usually takes six months to a year for asphalt to cure.  

Factors Affecting Asphalt Drying Time

Several factors affect asphalt’s drying time, including the weather conditions, its thickness, and even the air quality. 

Weather Conditions

Asphalt dries the fastest during warm, sunny conditions, which accelerates the evaporation of moisture in the asphalt mix. Wind can also promote faster drying times by blowing off the moisture. Cold, rainy, snowy, and very humid conditions can all delay the drying process since they increase moisture and make it take longer to evaporate.

Asphalt Mix

Asphalt mixes depend on the type and grade of binder used as well as the composition’s aggregate size and distribution. In general, dense-graded asphalt with high numbers of fine aggregates takes longer to cure than less dense asphalt with fewer, larger aggregates. The manufacturer of your asphalt mix should be able to recommend appropriate drying times. 

Asphalt Thickness

Generally, the thicker your asphalt layer, the longer it will take to dry since heat and moisture need to travel a greater distance to escape the asphalt’s interior to the surface. 

Altitude

Higher altitudes typically have lower air pressure and cooler temperatures. These conditions can delay the evaporation of moisture and increase the drying time. 

How to Maintain Asphalt During the Curing Period

While you can usually safely drive on asphalt a few days after it’s installed, it’s still susceptible to damage until it’s fully hardened. Make sure to take the following precautions to maintain your new surface’s appearance until it’s completely cured. 

• Avoid using heavy equipment or sharp objects on the asphalt since they can dent the surface before it’s cured.

• Regularly inspect the asphalt for signs of damage, like cracks and potholes, and repair the asphalt quickly to prevent further issues. If you don’t want to make the repairs yourself, you can hire an asphalt pro to address them for you. 

• Avoid using petroleum-based products, such as gas and oil, on the asphalt since petroleum can dissolve the asphalt binder and weaken the surface. If you accidentally spill one of these products, make sure to clean it up as soon as possible.

• If you notice vegetation sprouting up through the asphalt, remove it as quickly as you can to prevent cracks and other damage.

• Don’t make sharp turns or sudden stops on fresh asphalt since you can permanently scuff the surface.

• Make sure water drains away from your asphalt surface because standing water can weaken it and lead to damage, especially during the early curing stages.