Written by

Tom Grupa

February 10, 2023

Fact-checked by

Kristen Cramer

Driveway Sealing Cost

The average cost to seal a two-car driveway is $100 to $190, depending on the extent of the cracks and holes, the driveway's size and layout, and the type of sealer used. Total costs increase by 50% if two coats are required. Contractors typically charge a minimum fee of $100 to $200, regardless of project size.

Average Cost To Seal A Driveway

The average cost to sealcoat asphalt is $0.17 to $0.24 per square foot, including materials and labor. Driveway sealing costs $80 to $115 for a 480-square-foot driveway or $170 and $240 for a 1,000-square-foot driveway. Prices depend on the number of coats.

Blacktop driveway sealer:

• Protects the driveway from natural elements, machine leaks, and other spills

• Extends the driveway's life

• Enhances the home's curb appeal

Asphalt Sealing Costs

Asphalt driveway sealer alone costs $0.06 to $0.11 per square foot, while additional modifiers or colors may add $0.60 per square foot. The coverage rate depends on the condition and texture of the asphalt.

The sealer can also be mixed with sand, which helps add traction back to an asphalt surface.

Ready to seal your driveway? Get free quotes from asphalt repair companies near you.

Cost To Seal Concrete Driveway

Concrete is typically not sealed at all, and the natural weathering can add to its appeal. If you do choose to seal your concrete driveway, select solvent or water-based acrylics. Solvent-based concrete sealers are of a higher quality and are the most popular choice among homeowners.

Apply the sealer in thin coats with a sprayer or roller. This will allow the concrete to expand and allow moisture to escape properly.

Fixing holes, cracks, and spalling is required before sealing concrete. Concrete driveway repair costs $3 to $8 per square foot on average. In comparison, replacing a concrete driveway costs $5 to $11 per square foot, including old concrete removal.

How Often Should You Seal Your Driveway?

Asphalt Driveways

Asphalt driveways should be resealed every 3 to 5 years. The best time to reseal depends on the time of year and requires proper weather conditions for spotless results. Most experts recommend non-humid, warm, and dry conditions as optimal times to seal your driveway.

Check the forecast and allow 2 to 3 days of dry weather for project days and drying days.

When Should You Seal A New Asphalt Driveway?

The cost to seal your asphalt driveway may increase each time you have it professionally done because the asphalt will have deteriorated and will need more repair work before the new sealer is applied.

Concrete Driveways

Contractors recommend sealing a concrete driveway every 4 to 5 years to prevent water penetration and extend its lifetime. It's best not seal concrete very often as resealing the driveway year after year can lead to hairline cracks and peeling.

When cracking occurs, contact a concrete professional to determine if you need sealing or if the driveway has deeper foundational issues.

Sealing Asphalt Driveway – Pros and Cons

Pros

• The driveway will look almost like new after adding a black sealer.

• Sealer prevents the asphalt from oxidizing and becoming brittle.

• Sealer prevents water from getting into cracks and fissures in the asphalt, going through freeze-thaw cycles, and creating potholes.

• The sealer helps to prevent oil and gas stains from breaking down the asphalt.

• Sealing is an inexpensive job that only needs to be done about every three years.

Cons

• Sealing too often cause the layers of sealer to peel.

• Oil from the sealer can stick to shoes in hot weather and be tracked into the home.

• Some say that there’s no need for driveway sealer and if your driveway starts to deteriorate, it’s because of a problem with the quality of the gravel base instead.

Asphalt sealcoating vs. resurfacing

Asphalt resurfacing costs $1 to $3 per square foot and involves pouring a new 1.5" to 2.0" overlay of asphalt over the old layer. Resurfacing adds 8 to 15 years to the asphalt's lifespan.

All cracks and potholes must be patched before sealcoating or resurfacing a driveway. Asphalt driveway repair costs $2 to $5 per square foot on average.

Labor & Sealcoating Cost Per Square Foot

The labor cost alone accounts for 50% to 70% of the total price quoted. The average cost for labor and materials is $0.17 to $0.24 per square foot, depending on whether the sealer is applied manually or with a sprayer and which sealer you want.

Additional cost factors include:

• Slope of driveway – Some manufacturers will not recommend adding a sealer to a driveway that’s too steep because of the sealer going on in liquid form.

• Driveway size & shape – Costs are higher for driveways that are larger or have an irregular shape.

• Accessibility – Sealing a driveway or area at the back of a property may require extra time and effort on the contractor’s part to maneuver the equipment, increasing labor costs.

• Number of coats – Many contractors recommend two coats to give an asphalt driveway stronger protection. However, the cost increases by 50% if two coats are required.

Driveway Sealing Cost Calculator

To calculate the cost to seal your asphalt driveway, find the square footage of your driveway and multiply it by the price per square foot to sealcoat.

1. Calculate the size of your of driveway in square feet (length x width)

2. Multiply square feet by $0.17 to $0.24 per square foot.

3. Add 50% more if two coats are required, giving you the total cost of your driveway sealing.

Asphalt Sealing Costs By Use

Sealing any ground-level asphalt per square foot costs the same as sealing a driveway. The only difference is how many coats are needed, which sealer is used, and the ease of access to the area that needs to be sealed.

Residential Driveways

Depending on the use, most residential driveways need only one coat of sealer. Depending on your driveway's current condition and age, you may pay extra for patching holes or other common repairs.

Parking Lots

If sealing a commercial parking lot, use at least two coats of sealer. The cost to seal an asphalt parking lot is between $7,402 and $10,454 per acre, which is approximately 43,560 square feet or roughly 150 parking spaces.

Asphalt Patios, Walkways, or Pathways

A typical asphalt patio or walkway has light foot traffic and only requires one coat. The average patio costs $100 to $200 for around 288 square feet.

Basketball or Sports Courts

Depending on the size of your sports court, your price can vary dramatically. A full-size basketball court is 4,200 square feet, which is about 10 times larger than the average driveway and costs $680 to $960 to seal. A tennis court is more than half that size at 2,800 square feet.

Other Uses

The sealer will come in a different product mix for these applications:

• Roofing – to make roofing shingle more water-resistant

• Basements and foundations – to waterproof them

Types of Sealants

Coal Tar Emulsion

A water-based sealer. A byproduct distillate formed when coal is made into coke for the steel industry.

• Pros – The most durable sealer on the market, lasting approximately five years. Dries in 3–4 hours and will have set fully within eight hours. Resistant to UV rays, water, heat, motor oil, and gasoline. Not petroleum based. Can be applied with a sprayer system and comes ready to spray. Coal tar sealers must meet federal specifications. Lower cost than other sealers.

• Cons – Black-gray color. Minimum of two coats. Can’t be applied in temps below 50°F. Not eco-friendly.

Asphalt Emulsion

Created because of the diminishing availability of coal. An asphalt sealer. Quality depends on the type of crude oil used in its manufacturing process and the refinery’s preferred method of blending.

• Pros – Restores asphalt to its dark black color. The next best choice for sealer. Tough against power steering marks. Eco-friendly and does not cause ozone pollution.

• Cons – Fades under UV rays and is more susceptible to petroleum-based products, moisture, and high humidity. Doesn’t retain sand as well as coal tar sealer. There are no federal specifications for asphalt emulsion sealers. Dries more slowly and stays soft longer.

Latex Acrylic Sealer

• Pros – Fast drying times. Almost odorless. No need to premix if bought within a year of its manufacture date. Sprayable.

• Cons – More expensive. Not as durable as coal tar or asphalt emulsions, therefore not used or commercial applications. Contains carcinogens.

Latex Polymer Driveway Sealer

• Pros – Twice the durability of conventional coal tar emulsion. Superior resistance to wear, improved petroleum-based product resistance, stronger adhesion, and flexibility/elasticity. Ideal for high-traffic parking lots and driveways. No additional modifiers or latex additives are required.

• Cons – More expensive. Can’t be applied in temps below 55°F or the film won’t form properly. Can expose you to chemicals including asphalt and crystalline silica, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer.

Eco-friendly Sealer

Some states have banned the use of refined coal tar sealers containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) because of potential harmful effects on the environment. Other eco-friendly sealers have been developed, including soy-based sealers used by some local and state highway departments. Check for approval stickers from NAHB (National Association for Home Builders), Ecologo Certification, and GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.

• Pros – The soy-based sealers have no PAH. Some of the products you can look at are soy based. Quick dry. Excellent chemical resistance, UV resistance, abrasion resistance, and adhesion to asphalt. Can be applied at room temps and doesn’t need to be heated. Low odor.

• Cons – Expensive

Need help choosing the right sealant? Ask an asphalt repair contractor before you start.

How To Seal A Driveway?

Your contractor has the right tools and materials to ensure the proper application of the sealer. Sealing a driveway yourself requires at least two people. Pay attention to manufacturer instructions regarding the tools required.

Follow these steps to seal a driveway:

1. Remove all dirt, debris, and weeds. Use a degreaser to remove any oil stains.

2. Pressure wash the surface. Let it dry completely.

3. Fill all cracks with elastomeric crack filler and smooth out with putty blade.

4. Fill shallow eroded areas with trowel-grade crack filler and level them.

5. Paint the driveway edges with the sealant mix by hand.

6. Pour the buckets of asphalt sealer onto the pavement.

7. Have a second person follow along and smooth the mixture out with a squeegee.

8. Work from side to side with long strokes and cover each area twice.

9. Let it dry and harden for at least 1 day.

1) Clean Driveway

Clean - About $30/hour plus cleaning agents. Prepare the surface so the sealer properly adheres to the existing asphalt. Trim grass and plants from the edges, then sweep, wash, and rinse the area to remove all petroleum-based spills like oil stains and gas before sealing.

2) Seal Driveway Cracks

Repair – About $30/hour plus materials. Fill any cracks and minor holes, and repair deeper holes.

3) Protect The Surrounding Area

Protect - About $30/hour plus materials. Tape off edges—especially if they abut other surfaces such as concrete sidewalks or planters—and cover your garage door to protect against splatters.

4) Mix & Apply The Driveway Sealer

Mix – the sealer will need to be mixed and possibly heated before application.

The actual tools you need depend on your driveway's size, age, and condition and the type of sealer you choose to use.

DIY Driveway Sealing Costs

While sealcoating your driveway yourself saves $50 to $80 in labor costs, it’s risky considering how much you’ll spend on materials, tools, and safety precautions vs. the $100 to $200 you could pay a contractor who has:

• Insurance, licensing, bonded

• Trained employees

• Professional equipment

• The experience needed to carry out repairs, mix the sealer properly, and spread it to the right thickness

Driveway Sealing FAQs

How Often Should You Seal Asphalt?

Seal your asphalt driveway every 3 to 5 years, unless you live in an area with temps over 100° or with many freeze-thaw cycles, in which case reseal it every 2 to 3 years.

How Long To Stay Off Driveway After Sealing?

• If your driveway was sealed between May and August, keep vehicles off for at least 48 hours.

• If you've sealed your driveway after August, stay off it for at least 72 hours, depending on the temperature.

What is an Asphalt Filler Sealer?

Asphalt filler sealer is a liquid compound that is brushed over an asphalt driveway and hardens, providing a more even surface and preventing water from getting into cracks in the asphalt and damaging it over time.

What’s The Best Asphalt Driveway Sealer?

Based on reviews, the best asphalt driveway sealers are EnduraCoat Acrylic and Goldstar Asphalt Sealer.

How Can I Maintain My Coated Blacktop?

• Fill any cracks that begin to appear with a crack filler mixed with sand, and sealcoat the blacktop about every three years.

• Fix any oil or gas leaks in your vehicles to avoid spillage on the driveway.

• Pull up or kill any weeds.

• Check the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the use of ice on your driveway, as using it could damage the sealcoat.

Can A Concrete Patio Be Sealed?

Yes, a patio can be sealed. Use a solvent-based sealer to highlight the concrete's colors better. High-gloss sealers are slippery and they lock in moisture, which can cause fracturing, white hazing, or fogging.

Can You Seal Asphalt A Different Color?

Yes, many manufacturers offer asphalt sealers in different colors, but they can cost six to nine times more per gallon.