How Long Does It Take for Driveway Coating to Dry

If your asphalt driveway needs a new driveway coating, you could find your car, pets, and family have to tap out from using the driveway for a little bit. Knowing exactly how long your driveway will be out of commission can help you prepare for the big day. We’ve broken down estimated driveway sealant dry times so that you can figure out how long it takes for driveway coating to dry no matter the conditions.

How Long Does It Take for Driveway Coating to Dry?

On average, driveway coatings take 30 minutes to eight hours to dry and 12 hours to several weeks to cure, depending on the type of driveway sealer you choose and the type of surface material.

Asphalt Emulsion Sealer Dry Time

Asphalt emulsion sealers take an average of four to eight hours to dry but can take over a week to fully cure. At the four- to eight-hour mark, you should be able to have light foot traffic on your driveway, but to be on the safe side, you'll want to wait between 24 and 48 hours to drive on your asphalt driveway after using an asphalt emulsion coating as a sealant.

Coal Tar Sealer Dry Time

Coal tar coating takes anywhere from three to six hours to dry enough to walk on lightly, around 48 hours until it’s acceptable to drive on, and a few weeks to fully cure. This type of sealant can take longer to cure than asphalt emulsion sealer because it’s thicker and more durable, but it also tends to dry slightly faster. 

Fast-Drying Sealer Dry Time

A fast-drying coating takes 30 minutes to an hour to dry and 12 to 48 hours to fully cure. Depending on the brand, you can walk on the driveway after 30 minutes to an hour, making this option a convenient way to coat your driveway quickly.

Latex-Acrylic Sealer Dry Time

Most latex seal coatings dry in two to four hours and cure in 24 to 48 hours. Because they are water-based, latex-acrylic sealants take less time than other options, such as tar, oil, and emulsion sealers.

Oil-Based Driveway Sealer Dry Time

Oil-based driveway coatings dry between three and six hours on average. After 24 hours, you can drive on most driveways sealed with an oil-based coating. They will typically cure after 24 to 36 hours.

Water-Based Sealer Dry Time

Water-based driveway coating is one of the fastest coatings to dry, with dry times ranging from 30 minutes to three hours on average. The cure time for this type of sealer ranges from 24 to 48 hours, but most vehicles can safely drive on a water-based coating at the 24-hour mark. 

Factors Influencing How Long How Long It Takes for Driveway Coating to Dry

Many factors can influence how long it takes for a driveway coating to dry, so it's important to arm yourself with knowledge before applying driveway coating to properly prepare for the waiting period after application. The coating type and climate are two important factors to consider when preparing to coat your driveway. Here’s what you need to know.

Type of Coating

Again, the type of coating you choose for your driveway sealant determines the time it takes to dry and cure. Generally, fast-drying, acrylic, and water-based sealants dry the fastest, while tar-based sealants take the longest to dry. Always read the instructions on your particular sealant to determine the exact length of time it takes for it to dry and cure.

Climate

Climate is one of those sneaky external factors that greatly impacts how long it takes for a driveway coating to dry. The best time to apply sealcoating is when there’s a sunny day forecast for the next few days and the temperature sits between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Depending on where you live, this could be early to mid Fall.

Avoid applying coating in direct sunlight, on hot days, on rainy days, or on days where the temperature might dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some sealers are more or less weather-resistant than others, too. Water-based sealers are susceptible to freezing temperatures, while solvent-based sealers are cold-resistant and may be applied even in temperatures below freezing. Always hire a driveway sealcoating pro near you to apply solvent-based coating in below-freezing temperatures to avoid making mistakes. 

Signs It’s Time to Replace Driveway Coating

If you're not sure if it's time to replace a driveway coating, there are telltale signs that can give you a heads up, including:

• Cracks in your driveway

• Crumbling sides

• Loose asphalt

• Pooling water

• Potholes

• Surface damage

How to Increase the Lifespan of Driveway Coating

Driveway coating can last anywhere from six months to five years depending on the type of coating, climate, and maintenance. While you can’t always control your location and climate, there are steps you can take to extend the lifespan of your driveway coating. The best way to increase the lifespan of your driveway coating is to follow practices that preserve your driveway surface. 

Here are a few tips on how to increase your driveway coating’s lifespan as much as possible:

• Apply a long-lasting driveway coating like a latex-acrylic sealcoating.

• Avoid walking or driving on your driveway before the coating dries or cures, respectively.

• Regularly clean your driveway and remove oil stains and other surface-destroying debris immediately.

• Repair your driveway at the first sign of damage. Asphalt driveway repair costs fall between $1,100 and $4,000 on average. 

• Implement proper drainage systems to avoid standing water on your driveway.

• Sealing a crumbling driveway isn’t effective, so replace your driveway if it’s in poor condition. Asphalt driveways cost around $5,200 to replace.

• Keep heavy machinery and high traffic off your driveway as much as possible.