How Much Does It Cost to Seal an Asphalt Driveway?

In this guide

Asphalt Sealing Calculator

The average cost to seal a driveway largely depends on the type of sealant used, which itself is influenced by the driveway’s condition. For example, the fill and seal method can handle bigger holes in a driveway and is much more expensive to perform. You can expect driveway sealing cost per square foot to be several times less than that of a resurfacing, which strips off the top couple of inches of asphalt and puts down a new layer. You can use our driveway seal calculator to estimate the cost of this project given your location and specifications. As you derive a quote from our asphalt sealer calculator, remember that regular sealing can easily double the lifespan of your driveway.

Asphalt Sealing Calculator

Costs to seal an asphalt driveway vary greatly by region. Let’s calculate the cost for your zip code.

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NATIONAL COSTS

Average Cost

$468

Low Cost

$159

High Cost

$826

See Asphalt Sealing Calculator Breakdown 

Average Cost Project Low-Cost Project High-Cost Project

Cost

Material

Tar emulsion protective seal for 240 sq.ft. of asphalt driveway

$89

Labor

Applying a tar emulsion protective seal on a 240 sq.ft. asphalt driveway

$70

Material

Tar emulsion protective seal for 400 sq.ft. of asphalt driveway

$149

Labor

Applying a tar emulsion protective seal on a 400 sq.ft. asphalt driveway

$116

Water blasting and brooming a 400 sq.ft. asphalt driveway

$203

Materials

Tar emulsion protective seal for 400 sq.ft. of asphalt driveway

$149

Asphalt emulsion filler for typical cracks on a 400 sq.ft. driveway

$66

Cleaning products for in-depth cleaning

$18

Labor

Applying a tar emulsion protective seal on a 400 sq.ft. asphalt driveway

$116

Filling asphalt cracks with an emulsion filler

$32

In-depth hand cleaning of fuel or oil residue on part of the driveway

$242

Water blasting and brooming a 400 sq.ft. asphalt driveway

$203

Total

$159

$468

$826

Asphalt Sealing Costs per Square Foot

Sealing your driveway is a lot less expensive than installing a new one. Asphalt sealing is done on a per square foot basis, with different types of sealers having varying costs. The cost to seal a blacktop driveway ranges from $0.88 per square foot to as much as $2.10 a square foot, depending mostly on the sealer type and your driveway’s condition. Most people pay around $1.05 a square foot for a mid-grade sealer on a driveway that is in fair to moderate condition.

Cost to Sealcoat a Driveway by Type of Sealer

Besides the square footage of your driveway, the biggest driving factor behind your project cost is the sealer type you choose. There are several types available, each with its own characteristics and costs:

Coal Tar Sealer

Coal tar is the most common and least expensive sealcoat type. It is made from tar derived from coal and tends to hold up very well to the elements, while also blocking UV light. It holds up better than asphalt-based sealers but produces very high levels of VOCs, and in some areas, it is banned due to the environmental issues it causes when runoff enters the groundwater. It costs between $0.08 and $0.10 a square foot.

Asphalt Sealer

Asphalt sealer is basically a liquid form of the same material as the driveway but without the added aggregate or sand. It gives your driveway a nice black coating, protecting it from moisture problems. It fades in the sun, and UV light breaks it down quicker than coal tar sealers, so it needs to be applied more often in very sunny areas. It also does not fill holes and only fills very shallow cracks. The cost is around $0.15 to $0.20 a square foot.

Oil-Based Sealers

Oil-based sealers are a little less common than the other types because they are difficult to work with and do not last longer than an asphalt sealer. However, for some areas where coal tar is banned, installers may prefer oil-based sealers because they do a better job of filling some cracks. These sealers cost between $0.15 and $0.20 a square foot.

Acrylic Sealers

Acrylic sealers are a newer driveway sealer type that lasts longer than even coal tar but without the high levels of VOCs. These are more expensive and difficult to spread, but they fill cracks and some moderately sized holes. They cost between $0.25 and $0.35 a square foot.

Fill and Seal

If your driveway is in rougher shape and has the beginnings of some potholes, choose a method called fill and seal. This is a thicker sealant with some aggregate in it, so it fills bigger cracks and holes. It may be made of nearly any other substance and has a cost of $0.35 to $0.50 a square foot.

Labor Costs to Sealcoat an Asphalt Driveway

The ultimate cost to sealcoat your driveway comes down to a few things, mostly involving the labor. Sealcoats are sprayed or squeegeed onto the driveway, and for some driveways in poor shape, they may have to have areas filled before the entire thing is sealed. This means that the labor cost varies from project to project, depending on your driveway’s shape and slope, its condition, and the sealant type used. If your driveway needs to be cleaned first, this increases the labor cost. Expect labor to be between $0.60 and $1.75 a square foot for most driveways, but if your driveway needs a lot of work, cleaning, patching, and edging before it is sealed, expect your labor costs to go much higher.

Why Seal a Driveway

Asphalt is affected by UV light, rain, snow, and ice. It softens slightly in the heat and develops cracks from shifting soil over time. If you live in an area that sees freeze/thaw conditions, your asphalt may develop frost heaves and potholes if water gets into a crack and expands when it freezes.

Sealing your driveway helps prevent these issues. It fills minor cracks before they expand and grow and protects your driveway from UV light, rain, and snow. With sealing, you extend the life of your driveway and keep it looking better. Your driveway plays a role in your home’s curb appeal, so sealing it also helps your home maintain its value.

How Often Do You Need to Seal an Asphalt Driveway

Before you seal a driveway, make sure it is fully dried and cured, which takes as long as 6 months after the topcoat was put down. After that, seal your driveway about every 5 to 10 years on average, depending on your climate, how much sun it gets, and the sealer type. Keep in mind some cheaper sealants wear off quicker and need to be replaced every 3 years. It is important not to seal too often because too much sealant causes your driveway to peel over time.

How Many Years Does an Asphalt Driveway Last?

A well-maintained asphalt driveway lasts anywhere from 25 - 30 years, but in some moderate climates, it may last even longer. In harsher climates, a driveway that is not being regularly sealed and maintained may show signs of wear in less than 10 years. Sealing your asphalt driveway is one way to help reach its full lifespan.

Will Asphalt Driveway Sealcoating Fix a Driveway?

Sealcoating your asphalt driveway extends its lifespan and keeps it looking better for longer. However, it does not fix issues with a poorly paved or maintained driveway. Before your driveway can be sealed, large cracks and holes need to be patched. Regular sealing helps stop problems before they start, which means your driveway costs less in the long run because you have to repair and replace it less often.

Sealing vs Resurfacing an Asphalt Driveway

Another method of maintaining your driveway that helps fix problems with the asphalt is resurfacing your driveway. Resurfacing strips off the top couple of inches of asphalt and puts down a new layer. If your driveway is getting older and has more cracks than are easily patched and sealed but no major potholes or frost heaves, resurfacing extends its lifespan.

Sealing helps prevent problems and extends your driveway’s lifespan and is applied roughly every 5 years. On the other hand, resurfacing fixes moderate issues and is done every 15 to 20 years on average.

The cost to resurface driveway asphalt is around $4 to $8 a square foot, depending on your driveway’s size and shape, how many inches are resurfaced, and the type and quality of the asphalt. The higher quality bitumen, the more expensive the job.

Enhancements and Improvement Costs

Driveway Cleaning

Part of the labor cost for this project is cleaning the driveway. Your driveway needs to be clear of any sand or debris before it is sealed. Lower the cost of your project by doing this cleaning yourself.

Colored Asphalt

Asphalt and asphalt-based sealers have pigment added to them to change the color of your driveway. The bitumen used is black, but pigments tint it dark red, green, blue, and other dark hues. This has an added cost of around $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot.

Weed Control

If you have cracks in your driveway, weeds grow there. Sealing fills the cracks and keeps the weeds from coming back, but they may need to be killed first. This is done with weed killers, vinegar, or even boiling water. Do this yourself or have the crew do it as part of the driveway cleaning. If your driveway needs extensive weed control, it adds around $0.25 to the cost per square foot.