The industry standard is to add a fresh coat of sealant to your driveway every two years
Sealing an asphalt driveway every two years protects your investment from sun damage, moisture, and oil stains that lead to costly repairs.
Professional driveway sealing costs range from $173 to $707, while DIY sealant materials average $470 for a complete project.
You should reseal your driveway when you notice faded color, small cracks, rough surfaces, or oil stains penetrating the asphalt.
Hiring a local driveway sealcoating professional takes the guesswork out of timing and application, ensuring your driveway stays protected and looking great.
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.
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.
Original crack sealer dried out and some cracks reappeared. After a follow-up call, crew came out, re-cleaned drive and resealed cracks with partial overall cover for uniform appearance. Paid attention to details and I'll probably have a second coat applied in a few years with a two coat application. Feel confident in their work as performed. If your car leaks oil, fix the leak. They tried treating surface but spots still visible since oil is soaked into asphalt. Neat joint lines at garage and entry stairs. Great Job!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Archie did a good job cleaning up the driveway before he laid down the sealer. It looks good. He was gracious and even helped me bring up my groceries. His rate was comparable to another company who came out to give me a quote and he talked to me personally rather than just text me a quote...
Pro Seal Roofing & PavingD1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLCThis company went above and beyond with their work, chimney sweeps are usually pretty messy, but the clean up was spot on.!! Josh explained every thing that he was doing, and the things that he was checking to make sure the chimney was safe for me and my family. He was very professional,...
Supreme brick & chimneyFirst of all, the gentleman I dealt with (Cam?) was very responsive to my many questions and concerns throughout the project, which is a huge plus to me. From the first time I met him for the estimate all the way til the completion of the job, he and his crew were professional and respectful....
All Star Paving and SealingWe had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesEd did a great job in installing stone to the outside of our house at a fair price
Ochoa StoneworksWorking with Peter and his crew was a breeze. They were exceptionally polite and did a neat job to repair and seal our driveway. I will definitely talk to them first for additional work.
Central PavingCalled Mark on a Thursday morning. Not really knowing if he could help me or not. I was having driveway, flooding issues due to a clogged channel drain and I was trying to figure out what direction to take. Heavy rains had come on Monday and again on Thursday leading to flooding in my garage...
Mark Rodgers ConstructionHad already met with 2 other contractors before Blue Ring, and Blue Ring's price quote for the work was better than either of the other 2, and the came out the next morning and cleaned up a very large fallen tree branch from a storm that was blocking my driveway. Work was completed in...
Blue Ring Residential Services, LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Use our guide to calculate the cost to seal an asphalt driveway. Prices vary based on the type of sealant and the size of the driveway.
Is your driveway totaled? The price of repaving your driveway can save you from repair and resurfacing costs that are no longer worth the investment.
The cost of a tar and chip driveway falls between gravel and asphalt. Is this unique process the happy medium you've been looking for? Let's take a look.
Want to know the best time to seal a driveway? Our guide will help you determine when to seal your driveway—and when it’s a bad idea.
Asphalt and concrete driveways are strong and durable, but do they need protecting? Learn more about the pros and cons of sealing your driveway.
Wondering how to seal a driveway? We break down this weekend project into 11 easy steps.
