How Much Does It Cost to Seal an Asphalt Driveway? [2024 Data]

What Factors Influence the Cost to Seal an Asphalt Driveway?

Consider the size of your driveway, the type of driveway sealant, whether you have other areas that also need sprucing up and resealing, how durable the surfaces need to be, and whether you want any special enhancements.

Size of the Driveway

Given that most contractors charge by the square foot, it's unsurprising that the size of your driveway impacts the cost of having it sealed. You'll pay between $1.25 and $1.50 per square foot for materials and labor. If your driveway is only a few hundred feet, you may pay more than this, as many contractors have a minimum fee for projects like this. If you’re looking for more parking space, the cost to pave a parking lot is about $75,000 on average, depending on how large it is.

Type of Sealant

The type of sealant you choose determines how much you pay per square foot. Most sealants come in 5-gallon or 55-gallon units, and, on average, you'll get up to 500 square feet of coverage per 5 gallons. However, the coverage you get depends on how gooey the sealer is. Very thick sealants will provide less coverage per 5 gallons but will likely have a better, more durable finish.

Sealing Other Areas

Many contractors charge a minimum for resealing jobs, so if your driveway is small, having other areas, like concrete pathways or patios, done simultaneously could give you the best value.

One Coat or Two

Consider asking your contractor for a second coat if your driveway gets a lot of regular traffic or holds heavier vehicles. An additional coat will increase the cost of sealing the driveway, but it shouldn't double it, as much of the time-consuming work, like cleaning and prepping the surface, was already done for the first coat.

Extent of the Damage

If you've been putting off resealing your driveway for the past few years, there's a good chance it's got a fair bit of damage, like spiderweb cracks, pitting, craze cracks, or small holes. It's okay; life happens. But it does mean that you'll likely need a thicker, more durable sealant like latex acrylic to fix those issues.

However, if you have more extensive damage, you'll need fill-and-seal, which is the most costly option for resealing. Due to the more extensive process, labor prices for fill-and-seal projects cost between $0.60 and $1.75 per square foot.

Lastly, if the asphalt is crumbling, has big holes, and is reaching the end of its life, you may want to consider the cost of installing a new asphalt driveway.

Enhancements

Boost your home's curb appeal by asking your contractor for a driveway makeover while they're resealing it. Consider having a design stamped into the sealcoat or adding some pavers to the perimeter for a touch of elegance; complete paver driveway costs can be high, but you’ll save money by simply installing around the perimeter. 

Labor Cost to Sealcoat a Driveway

The labor cost of driveway sealing is, on average, $1.15 per square foot. Remember, some contractors have a minimum labor fee, so if you only have a small area, you'll pay the same labor costs as the contractor's minimum fee.

Cleaning

Contractors will either include the cost of a final power wash in your driveway sealing cost or offer it as an additional service. In either case, assume the process will cost an extra $0.27 to $0.39 per square foot.

Service Fees

Working with a local contractor means paying a general service or project fee that covers overhead expenses. A service fee will likely cover travel, insurance, permits, and equipment use. The fee will range from $100 to $200, or may set the minimum amount necessary to book the job.

Driveway Sealing Cost by Sealant Type

Which sealant you choose impacts the cost of the project significantly, and there are many choices that could be the right fit for your driveway based on where you live.

• Coal Tar: Coal tar driveway sealant is the least expensive, at $0.06 to $0.10 per square foot, and lasts two to four years. However, this material contains large quantities of carcinogens that may run off and pollute your soil and leech into the water table. 

• Fast-Drying Sealcoat: Synthetic fast-drying asphalt sealcoating needs replacing every two to three years. They cost around $0.10 per square foot. Fast-drying options are less environmentally harmful than coal tar, although they release some volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

• Asphalt Emulsion: Asphalt emulsion costs between $0.08 and $0.10 per square foot. It's a popular choice because it's moderately priced and better for the environment than coal tar and fast-drying sealers. It's also more durable, lasting four years or more in the right conditions. However, you must apply it in warm weather, and it's susceptible to stains from oil and gasoline spills. 

• Latex Acrylic: Latex acrylic is one of the more expensive driveway sealers, but it's non-toxic and doesn't stain easily. This latex sealant is a blend of synthetic polymers and acrylics, which costs $0.20 to $0.25 per square foot. There are better choices than acrylic for DIYers, though, as it's difficult to spread. However, it's an excellent option if you've got deep cracks or moderately sized pits and holes that need to be filled. It's also UV-resistant, so it holds up well in hot climates. 

• Oil-Based Asphalt Sealers: Oil-based sealants are less common than acrylic or latex emulsions, but they're a solid compromise for those on a tight budget. These sealants cost $0.15 to $0.20 per square foot, last up to four years, are less damaging to the environment than coal tar, and are great for filling shallow cracks and holes.

• Eco-Friendly: Eco-friendly asphalt sealants, like BioSealCoat, are the most expensive, at $0.25 to $0.38 per square foot. However, they also have the most negligible environmental impact and a reasonable life span of up to five years.

• Fill-and-Seal: Fill-and-seal is a thick sealant that contains some aggregate, such as crushed stone, coarse sand, or gravel and is similar to the asphalt currently on your driveway. It essentially allows you to patch damaged areas and fill substantial cracks and holes. This kind of patching method costs $0.35 to $0.50 per square foot and, once dry, still requires a top coat of regular sealer.

How the Cost of Sealing an Asphalt Driveway Varies by Location

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Sealing a driveway yourself should be left to experienced DIYers familiar with sealing materials and the tools needed to do it properly. If not, it's best to leave this one to the professionals. While you can tackle the project with hand tools, using commercial equipment is best for the longevity of your driveway.

Remember, timing is everything when sealing a driveway. If you handle it yourself, you must wait for at least three consecutive days without rain. The temperature must also be between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. 

How Much Does It Cost to Seal a Driveway Yourself?

You can save around $1.15 per square foot on labor costs if you seal your driveway yourself.

Remember, if your DIY goes wrong, you'll need to hire a professional asphalt sealer near you to fix any sealing mishaps, so it could cost you more. 

How to Save Money on Driveway Sealing 

You can also save a bit of cash when hiring a professional to seal your driveway with these tips:

• Keep up with basic asphalt maintenance in between resealings. Patching small cracks can keep larger craters from forming.

• When choosing a less expensive type of sealant, remember to consider the long-term costs of potentially repairing or resealing the driveway in the future.

• Speak with local contractors about off-season deals—when the weather is still appropriate—or options to cut costs by booking contractors for mid-week jobs.

Questions to Ask the Driveway Pro

We recommend getting quotes from at least three local driveway sealing contractors. While it requires a little extra legwork, getting multiple quotes allows you to choose the contractor with the best price, the right timeline, and the strongest customer reviews.

Here are a few questions to ask driveway pros during the quote process and then once work starts:

When Getting Quotes

• Are you licensed and insured? Will the employees who do the work be licensed and insured as well?

• Is a permit required for this kind of work? 

• Do you have any testimonials or a portfolio showing similar projects?

• How soon can you start, and how long will the project take?

• Are there any common issues during sealing that could increase project costs? 

• Can you recommend the best type of sealant to use for my driveway?

• Do you offer a warranty for your work? If so, how long does that warranty last?

On the Day of the Job

• How long before I can drive my car on the driveway?

• Is there anything I need to do to the driveway shortly after sealing?

• What routine maintenance do you recommend to keep my asphalt driveway in good condition?

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.