How Often Should You Seal Your Driveway?

Sealing your driveway brings a new definition to curb appeal. After years of sizzling in the sun, being pelted by heavy rain, and withstanding the weight of two-ton cars, it’s no surprise when your driveway starts looking worse for wear. A quick makeover is all it needs, while all you need to get the job done is sealant and a free weekend. But homeowners beware—too many makeovers could actually do more damage than good. Let’s find out just how often you should aim to seal your driveway.

Why Driveways Need Resealing

Your driveway takes a daily beating—from the scorching sun and relentless rain to the occasional oil spill from a leaky car. Asphalt might seem tough, but when left unprotected, the asphalt dries out, cracks form, and before you know it, those small fissures turn into potholes that swallow tires and your hard-earned cash.

Sealcoating isn’t just about looks (though it does give your driveway that rich, deep black finish). It acts as a shield that locks out moisture, preventing freeze-thaw cycles from turning small cracks into major damage. It also keeps oil, gasoline, and road salt from eating away at the asphalt’s binding agents. Skipping sealcoating might save you a few bucks in the short term, but eventually, you’ll be staring down the cost of major repairs—or worse, a full replacement.

How to Tell When to Reseal a Driveway

You can expect to seal a driveway every two years. Some homeowners choose to seal asphalt driveways annually, but don’t do the same with concrete. Sealing concrete yearly can lead to more hairline cracks, so if you have a concrete driveway, you should consider resealing it every five years. In addition, sealing an asphalt driveway too soon may trap oils within the asphalt, resulting in a driveway that is too soft or flexible.

Regardless of the type of driveway you have or the climate you live in, here’s how to spot when your driveway needs a fresh layer of sealant:

• Faded color: A fresh asphalt driveway should have a deep, dark black look. Over time, exposure to sunlight and weather causes this color to fade, signaling that the protective sealant is wearing off.

• Small cracks: Tiny, hairline cracks (often called “alligator cracking”) mean the asphalt is drying out and becoming brittle. If you notice large cracks, repair them first—resealing will not fix them.

• Uneven drying: If your driveway dries unevenly after rain or a wash, it’s a sign that moisture is soaking into spots where the sealant has worn away.

• Rough or pitted surface: A smooth driveway that turns rough or pitted means the sealant is deteriorating, and the asphalt is exposed.

• Oil and chemical stains: Stains from oil or chemicals that penetrate the surface are another red flag that the sealant isn’t working the way it should.

If you plan on resealing your driveway, the best time to do it is during the summer months—when the weather is warm and the conditions are ideal for the sealant to cure properly.

How Long It Takes to Seal a Driveway

Prepare to set aside a weekend, maybe two to three days, to seal your driveway. Prep work takes about a day on its own and involves deep cleaning the driveway, trimming long grass along the edges of the driveway, filling in cracks, and mixing the sealant.

Once the sealant is mixed, you can expect to spend a couple of hours adding one coat, and experts recommend doing two coats. Wait eight hours between each coat.

Drying Time

After the final coat, wait another eight hours before walking on the driveway. Then wait up to 48 hours before driving on the freshly sealed driveway.

Driveway Maintenance

If you have a brand new asphalt driveway, apply sealer between 30 days and six months after the first installation of the asphalt. Then, you can expect to reapply every one to three years. If you live in an area with colder temperatures or frequent rain, you may need to reapply annually. If you’re always driving to and from school drop-offs and pick-ups, soccer fields and the office, you might also need to reapply more often than driveways that see less traffic.

DIY Cost to Seal a Driveway

The cost of driveway sealants varies widely, with prices ranging from around $40 to $165 per 5-gallons of product, which covers 500 square feet with a single coat.

Additional costs may include a pressure washer, oil spot cleaners and primers, a sealcoating broom, and a mixing paddle. The average cost for just the materials is $470, including the sealant.

Hiring a Pro to Seal a Driveway

For an average-sized driveway, prices typically average between $173 to $707 when handled by a professional. Hiring a professional driveway sealing contractor, on average, is $36 per hour or $1.15 per square foot, and a single coat for 500 square feet takes about 16 hours.

These rates can depend on the type of driveway, too. Rates for sealing asphalt are cheaper at $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot, while one con of a concrete driveway is that sealing it is costlier at $0.85 to $2.15 per square foot.

Sealing a Driveway Can Boost Its Life and Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Although it can take up an entire weekend, sealing the driveway is essential for prolonging its life by protecting it against the elements. A well-cared-for driveway can last decades. Plus, a fresh coat of sealant every few years can give your home a little facelift.