How much does it cost to seal a driveway?
Updated
Short answer
Sealing a driveway yourself costs $50 to $150, for the sealer, a squeegee or roller, and crack filler, and takes 120 to 240 minutes including the prep. A sealing service charges $150 to $400. The job comes every 2 to 3 years for asphalt and every 2 to 5 years for concrete, so the difference adds up slowly, and the DIY version is messy but not hard.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $50 to $150 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $150 to $400 |
| Total | $50 to $150 | $150 to $400 |
The DIY column is the sealer, a crack filler for the prep, and a squeegee or roller, which is reusable. The pro column is a crew that cleans the driveway, fills the cracks, and sprays or squeegees the sealer in one visit.
What drives the cost
- The area. Both the sealer and the service price by the square foot, so a long or double-wide driveway doubles the cost.
- The sealer. A basic asphalt sealer is the low end. A premium sealer with sand or polymer for traction and durability, or a penetrating concrete sealer, costs more and lasts longer.
- The cracks. Filling cracks is part of the job, and a driveway with many cracks or a few wide ones needs more filler and more time.
- The cleaning. The driveway has to be clean and dry before sealing, and a service often charges for a pressure wash first.
- Coats. A spray application is usually a single coat. A squeegee application may be done in a couple of thin coats for a longer-lasting finish.
DIY vs. pro
The DIY version is a reasonable weekend job and the money favors it: how often to seal a driveway is every 2 to 3 years for asphalt and every 2 to 5 for concrete, and the sealer and tools are $50 to $150. The work is mostly prep, which means cleaning, filling cracks and waiting for everything to dry, and then a sealer spread thin with a squeegee.
Pay the $150 to $400 for a large driveway, when the cracks need professional filling, or when the surface has oil stains that need treatment first. A service also has the hot-pour crack filler that outlasts the tube from the store. Whoever does it, the driveway has to be dry and the weather warm, and it can't be driven on for a day or more afterward.
FAQ
How much does driveway sealing cost?
$150 to $400 from a service for a typical driveway, priced by the square foot, and more with crack repair or a pressure wash first.
Is it cheaper to seal my own driveway?
Yes. The sealer and tools are $50 to $150, and the job takes an afternoon plus drying time.
How often does a driveway need sealing?
Every 2 to 3 years for asphalt and every 2 to 5 years for concrete, or when water stops beading on the surface.
Is driveway sealing worth it?
For asphalt, yes. It keeps water out of the cracks, which is what breaks the driveway apart in winter. For concrete, a penetrating sealer helps in freezing climates and where de-icing salt is used.