Sealing an asphalt driveway is the cheapest way to add years to its life — and it’s quick. Driveway sealing costs $100 to $300 in 2026, or about $0.10 to $0.25 per square foot, with DIY costing far less.
What you’re paying for
The sealant is cheap; you’re mostly paying for cleaning, crack filling, and labor. A good job preps the surface first — sweeping, removing oil stains, and filling cracks — then applies one or two coats.
Seal on a schedule
Asphalt should be sealed every 2–3 years. Regular sealing blocks water and UV, the two things that crack and crumble a driveway. Skip it and you’ll pay for resurfacing years sooner.
DIY is realistic here
Sealing is one of the friendlier DIY projects: clean, fill cracks, and roll or squeegee on sealant on a dry day. Materials run $30–$100, so the savings over a pro are mostly your afternoon.
How to save on driveway sealing
- DIY it if you’re comfortable with a few hours of work.
- Fill cracks first so water can’t get under the seal.
- Seal on schedule to avoid premature resurfacing.
- Skip sealing too often — every 2–3 years is plenty for asphalt.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sealant material | $30 – $100 | – |
| Labor (pro) | $70 – $200 | – |
| Cleaning & prep | $25 – $75 | – |
| Crack filling | $25 – $150 | – |
| Second coat (optional) | $50 – $150 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-car (up to 400 sq ft) | $80 – $160 | – |
| 2-car (400–600 sq ft) | $120 – $250 | – |
| Large (600–1,000 sq ft) | $200 – $400 | – |
| DIY (materials only) | $30 – $100 | – |
What affects the price
- Driveway size Priced largely per square foot, so a long or wide driveway costs more sealant and labor.
- Condition & prep Cleaning, removing oil stains, and filling cracks before sealing add to the job but make it last.
- Sealant type Basic asphalt emulsion is cheapest; premium coal-tar or polymer sealers cost more and last longer.
- Number of coats A second coat costs more upfront but extends the time before the next sealing.
- DIY vs. pro Sealing is a doable DIY for a few hours of work; hiring out adds labor but saves the mess and time.
Driveway sealing cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical driveway sealing job costs about $120 to $350 in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $85 to $260 (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $87 – $260 |
| Alaska | $110 – $350 |
| Arizona | $95 – $290 |
| Arkansas | $85 – $260 |
| California | $110 – $340 |
| Colorado | $100 – $300 |
| Connecticut | $110 – $320 |
| Delaware | $98 – $290 |
| District of Columbia | $110 – $320 |
| Florida | $91 – $270 |
| Georgia | $92 – $280 |
| Hawaii | $120 – $350 |
| Idaho | $94 – $280 |
| Illinois | $110 – $350 |
| Indiana | $100 – $300 |
| Iowa | $97 – $290 |
| Kansas | $95 – $290 |
| Kentucky | $93 – $280 |
| Louisiana | $90 – $270 |
| Maine | $98 – $290 |
| Maryland | $100 – $300 |
| Massachusetts | $110 – $350 |
| Michigan | $100 – $300 |
| Minnesota | $110 – $330 |
| Mississippi | $87 – $260 |
| Missouri | $100 – $310 |
| Montana | $98 – $290 |
| Nebraska | $94 – $280 |
| Nevada | $100 – $310 |
| New Hampshire | $99 – $300 |
| New Jersey | $110 – $340 |
| New Mexico | $92 – $280 |
| New York | $110 – $330 |
| North Carolina | $90 – $270 |
| North Dakota | $100 – $300 |
| Ohio | $100 – $300 |
| Oklahoma | $91 – $270 |
| Oregon | $110 – $330 |
| Pennsylvania | $100 – $300 |
| Rhode Island | $100 – $310 |
| South Carolina | $91 – $270 |
| South Dakota | $90 – $270 |
| Tennessee | $92 – $280 |
| Texas | $91 – $270 |
| Utah | $94 – $280 |
| Vermont | $97 – $290 |
| Virginia | $95 – $290 |
| Washington | $120 – $350 |
| West Virginia | $95 – $290 |
| Wisconsin | $100 – $310 |
| Wyoming | $99 – $300 |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to seal a driveway?
- Professional driveway sealing runs $100–$300, or about $0.10–$0.25 per square foot. A 2-car driveway is typically $120–$250. DIY costs just $30–$100 in materials.
- How often should you seal a driveway?
- Seal asphalt every 2–3 years. Wait 6–12 months after a new driveway is installed so it cures, then stay on the cycle to prevent cracks, UV damage, and water intrusion.
- Is sealing a driveway worth it?
- Yes, for asphalt — regular sealing protects against water, UV, and cracking, extending the driveway's life from ~15 years to 20-plus. It's cheap insurance against a far costlier resurfacing or replacement.
- Can I seal my driveway myself?
- Yes — it's one of the more DIY-friendly projects. Clean the surface, fill cracks, and roll or squeegee on sealant on a dry, mild day. Materials run $30–$100; the main cost is a few hours of labor.
- Do concrete driveways need sealing?
- Concrete benefits from sealing too, though less often (every 3–5 years), mainly to resist stains and freeze-thaw damage. Asphalt needs it more frequently because it dries out and cracks without it.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources:
- Driveway Sealing Cost (2026), HomeGuide
- How Much Does Driveway Sealing Cost?, Angi
- How Much Does Driveway Sealing Cost?, Bob Vila