How Long Does It Take for Driveway Sealer to Dry?

To keep your driveway structurally strong and ensure it remains easy on the eye, you have to seal it regularly. It doesn’t matter if it has noticeable cracks or still looks brand new. Either way, sealing the surface of your asphalt driveway once every five years or so will ensure it stays in top condition.

Whether fixing asphalt driveway or just trying to make it look as attractive as possible, you’ll need to know how to do it correctly. One mistake that people commonly make is not leaving the driveway sealer to dry for long enough. Carry on reading for all you need to know about how long it takes for a driveway seal coat to dry, as well as top tips on sealing a driveway yourself.

Letting Your Driveway Sealer Dry

One question that many people ask when it comes to sealing an asphalt driveway is: ‘Exactly how long does it take for driveway sealer to dry?’ There’s a good reason for it, too.

Fail to allow enough time for your driveway seal coat to dry and you could completely ruin its finish. This won’t just undermine the way the surface looks. While a properly sealed driveway will help to keep it clear from unsightly cracks and potholes, this has a more critical bearing on how your driveway holds up under pressure.

Any damage to an asphalt surface will only get worse over time. This can compromise its strength and make it far less safe for day-to-day use. So, allowing your driveway sealer to cure properly before parking cars or other heavy loads on it will help to avoid these more pressing problems.

How Long Should I Let My Driveway Dry After It Is Sealed?

At a minimum, you should let your driveway sealant dry for 24 hours before parking your cars on it. This is the case whether you opt for a coal tar pavement sealer or asphalt emulsion sealant. However, unless the conditions are hot and dry, it is advised that you let a newly sealed asphalt surface dry for at least 36 hours. It is only after 36 hours that the seal coat will be fully cured.

Please note that your driveway seal coat will feel dry to the touch long before it is ready. This is because the uppermost layer (the one that’s exposed to the elements) will dry first, usually within about three to five hours. The rest will then dry from the top down. You will be able to walk on your driveway at this point, but it will not be safe to park on until at least 24 hours have passed. 

What Is the Best Temperature to Seal a Driveway?

As mentioned above, the best time to apply your seal coat is when it’s hot and dry out. However, it is possible to apply your asphalt emulsion sealer on colder days. As long as the temperature outside has been above freezing for 24 hours or more and stays that way, your product will still cure properly. Ideally, though, you will apply sealant in temperatures of 50ºF or higher.

For the very best results, aim to seal your driveway on a summers day in which the temperatures linger between 75ºF and 90ºF. This will encourage faster drying and a smoother finish.

How Long Does Driveway Sealer Take to Dry Before Rain?

You should take great care not to apply driveway seal coat during or just before it rains and to give the coat several hours to cure while it’s still dry out. So, ensure you plan to apply the sealant when no rain is predicted and to double-check the weather forecast before you get started.

The surface of your sealed asphalt will not be rain resistant for about four to eight hours, or until the top layer of the coat is completely dry. If it rains before the driveway has had adequate time to dry, the product you applied could be washed away, making the sealant uneven and ineffective.

What Is the Best Way to Seal Asphalt Driveway?

There are a couple of different approaches you can take to sealing an asphalt driveway. The first option, which is widely believed to be the easiest and most effective, is to call in a contractor to do it for you. However, when you factor in markups and call-out fees, doing so could end up costing you almost $500, making it needlessly expensive.

Alternatively, you can invest in some equipment and do the job yourself. Given that sealing asphalt is something that needs to be done fairly regularly, it’s worth learning the ropes. It’s an easy enough task to do once you know the technique. And, it is very much possible to get a sleek, smooth finish with quality driveway sealing equipment that doesn’t cost a fortune.

All you’ll need is a tub of coal tar sealer or asphalt emulsion sealant and either a sprayer or a squeegee. You can get these products from most asphalt sealer suppliers. Just note that, while a sprayer could cost you up to $1,000 (which is still a good price for something that will last you many years), a squeegee is a more cost-effective product for applying sealant.

For the seal coat itself, you shouldn’t have to pay more than around $80 for a five-gallon drum of top quality product. That’s great value for money when you consider that a single gallon can cover roughly 100 square feet of driveway.

How to Seal Asphalt Driveway?

Once you’ve got your products, you can start thinking about applying your seal coat. Do so by following these tips for a professional-looking finish:

• Step one: Gather your equipment as well as a bucket of water and some sponges. You will need to clean up any overspill as you go.
• Step two: Stir your sealant well and mix it, if directed by the product instructions.
• Step three: If using a sprayer, spray the sealant slowly in a left to right motion, starting from the top of the driveway and working your way down.
• Step four: If using a squeegee, pour a layer of sealant onto the driveway from the highest point. Then, use the squeegee to spread it out in an even coat and ensure it is pressed firmly into any cracks. If you have a large driveway, you might want to do this in stages.
• Step five: Leave the sealer to dry for at least three hours before walking on your driveway, and at least 24 hours before driving or parking any cars on it.

Sealing Your Driveway: How Long Does Drying Take?

If you were one of the people asking ‘how long does it take for driveway sealer to dry?’ then this handy guide should have told you everything you need to know.

While there may be variations in drying times depending on the exact asphalt sealant you buy and the conditions in which you apply it, generally speaking, your driveway will be fully cured in around 24 to 36 hours. Before that, no cars should be parked on it, although you can walk on your driveway once it’s dry to the touch.

The quickest and most cost-effective route to a professional-looking seal coat is to apply the sealer yourself using high-quality equipment. Follow the steps above and any included with the product you purchase for the best possible results.