Sealing your asphalt driveway every 2-3 years extends its life and keeps it looking sharp. This calculator tells you how many buckets of driveway sealer to buy for your driveway dimensions and number of coats.
Driveway Dimensions
ft
ft
Sealer Options
Scenario: You're sealing a 40 ft x 12 ft driveway with 2 coats.
Result: Area: 480 sq ft. At 80 sq ft/gallon and 2 coats, you need 12 gallons. That's 3 five-gallon buckets (with a little left over for touch-ups).
Measure your driveway in square feet (length x width). Divide by 80 for gallons needed per coat (coal-tar sealers cover 60-80 sq ft/gal). Multiply by the number of coats (2 recommended). Divide by 5 to get 5-gallon buckets.
Every 2-3 years for asphalt driveways. A new driveway should cure for 6-12 months before its first seal. Over-sealing (every year) actually degrades the surface -- the thick buildup cracks and peels.
Coal tar emulsion sealers offer the best protection against gas and oil spills. Asphalt emulsion sealers are more environmentally friendly and easier to apply. Both are effective -- coal tar lasts slightly longer in high-traffic areas.
Absolutely. Clean the driveway, fill cracks with crack filler, then squeegee or roll the sealer on in sections. Keep a wet edge and you'll get a smooth finish. Budget a full day for a two-car driveway.
Want to learn more before you start your project?
Read the full guide →
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