Sealing your driveway is a great investment, but it can be expensive so it’s important that you do what you can in order to protect it. Many wonder how long it takes before they can walk and drive on their new driveway. Here’s our detailed answer to that question.
When can you walk on it?
You can typically walk on your newly sealed driveway after it has baked in the sun for 4-6 hours and it is warm outside. If it is not sunny and not as warm, you should wait 8 hours or more. Even if the surface doesn’t feel warm, the sealer underneath may not be fully dry.
When can you drive on it?
A 24 hour minimum is ideal during the summer. If temperatures are cooler or the humidity is higher, 36-48 hours is a good frame of reference. If the temperature is below 60, you should aim for more than 48 hours.
What happens if you don’t wait long enough?
If you don’t wait long enough for the asphalt to dry and you drive on it, it can lead to tire imprints on your driveway, uneven curing, or even surface scarring.
If you’re ever in doubt about when you should walk or drive on your driveway, it’s better to wait it out to fully avoid any issues.