Best Asphalt Driveway Sealers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2022 (2025)

The Garage

These are the best asphalt driveway sealers that'll offer a protective seal.

Best Overall

Best Asphalt Driveway Sealers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2022 (1)

Jetcoat 10-year

See It

Best Value

Best Asphalt Driveway Sealers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2022 (2)

Latex-ite Airport Grade

See It

Best Fast Drying

Best Asphalt Driveway Sealers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2022 (3)

Black Jack Drive-Maxx 1000

See It

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Best Asphalt Driveway Sealers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2022 (4)

Water is your home’s enemy. Whether it’s from a summer deluge, a hurricane in the Carolinas, or winter melt like I experienced this winter in Utah. It gets in, it destroys, and you’re left with a multi-thousand-dollar bill trying to fix what the water destroyed. Ask me how I know…

That destruction can even occur in your own driveway, but there is a solution in ensuring its longevity: driveway sealant. This substance essentially waterproofs your driveway, along with those cracks that might have formed already, and keeps your asphalt looking pristine for years on end. However, the market is flooded—pun intended—with options that can make selecting a driveway sealer a real pain.

But you have The Drive at your disposal, and we took the time to find the best driveway sealers on the market so you don’t have to. Check out our list below.

Summary List

Our Methodology

I’ve done my fair share of driveway and asphalt repair over the years. I worked construction all throughout high school, helped do handyman jobs during college, and helped my parents and in-laws work on their houses throughout my life. Suffice it to say, I know my way around a project.

What I prioritized for this list was fast-drying, good-quality, and actually sealing up those unsightly cracks with ease. I also paid special attention to how easy the sealant goes on and whether or not folks have had issues down the road with the sealers. If you want to know more about The Drive’s recommendation methodology, you can head over here and read more.

Best Asphalt Driveway Sealer Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Jetcoat 10-year

See It

A year or two can seem like forever. But when you’re doing something you absolutely don’t want to do, i.e. seal your driveway, a few years in between coats can appear incredibly close together. 10 years, however, is a long, long time and it’s how long you’ll have in between coats if you get Jetcoat’s 10-year sealant.

This long-last sealant is designed to last, with a patented formula that’ll cover your driveway for 10 years. What’s also great about Jetcoat’s sealant is that it’s ready to use, no mixing required and it’s extremely easy to use. Just throw it onto your asphalt, break out a squeegee, and get to painting it onto the blacktop. All that’s left to do is wait for it to cure and then start a very long countdown clock until your next application.

The trade-off to this formula, however, is that it’s expensive. At the time of writing, it’s nearly $100. It also takes a full 24-48 hours to cure before you can start driving across it. That said, buy once, cry once, and then sit back and have a pinacolda or something while the driveway cures. It’s a win-win, folks.

Best Value: Latex-ite Airport Grade

Best Asphalt Driveway Sealers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2022 (6)
See It

Latex-ite’s Airport Grade sealer takes the second spot on this list primarily because it’s cheap as hell, and if you buy in bulk—5 buckets or more—it gets even cheaper. At the time of writing, this driveway sealer will set you back just $21 at Home Depot, however, if you buy more than five buckets, that drops to just $19. A screaming deal.

Latex-ite’s sealer, however, doesn’t skimp on the formula. The sealer covers a staggering 400 square feet per bucket, can be used as a crack filler, and comes with a 4-year warranty to boot. Not as great as Gardner’s, but a worry-free four years is a worry-free four years. I’ll take a longer-than-average warranty over none any day.

There are a few drawbacks to this value pick, though. The directions aren’t quite clear on how the initial application should go, and the company could do a better job of detailing instructions. And lastly, though it’s advertised as only requiring a single coat to get the job done, a few folks have reported that a second is advisable, especially for those who haven’t sealed their driveways in a long time.

Best Fast Drying: Black Jack Drive-Maxx 1000

Best Asphalt Driveway Sealers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2022 (7)
See It

Folks, if your driveway is looking tired and there’s a party about to happen within the next few hours, what the hell are you doing here? Go get ready! You’ve got guests coming and you know Aunt Irma is going to show up 2 hours early. But, if you don’t have an Aunt Irma, and your party is in a few more hours and you need your driveway resealed, then Black Jack’s Drive-Maxx 1000 is the product you’re looking for.

This driveway sealer cures for foot traffic in just 1 hour, which is incredibly quick. Moreover, this formula is incredibly versatile, as it can be applied to the surface between 45 and 99 degrees ambient temperature, which really covers most of the time you’ll be working outside. Anything colder and it’s incredibly unpleasant. Anything hotter, and you’re burning up.

There are some downsides you should be aware of, including that while it cures for foot traffic in just an hour, it requires 24 hours for vehicle traffic. Though it could be sooner, depending on temperature, wind, etc. And secondly, it may require a second coat. Like others on this list, the state of the driveway has a lot to do with how many coats you do to properly seal it.

Our Verdict on Asphalt Driveway Sealers

Gardner’s name-brand quality, 10-year warranty, and fast-drying application takes our top spot. It also helps that it’s not super expensive when compared to others in the space. However, if you want to save a few bucks or only need to patch a few cracks, then you won’t beat the value of Latex-ite’s large coverage area, 4-year warranty, and price.

FAQs

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

What’s the difference between blacktop and asphalt?

Nothing, they mean the same thing.

Does sealing my driveway really help?

As someone who’s spent the last 6 months trying desperately to direct water away from his house, you betcha. Sealing ensures you don’t get cracks, which can lead to further damage and problems down the road.

How long does driveway sealer last?

That, honestly, depends on the sealer you get. Check the packaging before you buy it.

Should I spray or roll the sealer on?

Spraying it is easier, but it doesn’t work as well as roll-on/squeegee across sealant.

Best Asphalt Driveway Sealers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2022 (2025)

FAQs

Which asphalt driveway sealer is best? ›

More
  • Best Overall: Henry 200 Driveway E-Z Stir Asphalt Filler & Sealer » ...
  • Best Budget: Latex-ite UltraShield Driveway Filler Sealer » ...
  • Best Fast-Drying: Black Jack Drive-Maxx 1000 Premium Filler & Sealer » ...
  • Best for Concrete: Foundation Armor SX5000WB Concrete Sealer »

What is the best time of year to seal an asphalt driveway? ›

It's best to seal your driveway in the fall or the spring because the temperatures tend to be more moderate. In order to put seal coating on, the outside temperatures need to be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, the weather needs to be free of heavy rain for 24 hours.

What do professionals use to seal a driveway? ›

Commercial grade asphalt sealer is the single most important item to buy for professional sealcoating results. This is true for everyone, whether you are a homeowner who wants to sealcoat your own driveway or you're a grizzled pro who's has been in this business for a decade.

Why sealing your blacktop driveway is pointless? ›

UV rays, freeze thaw cycles, water, vehicle fluids and road salts make short work of these types of products. Contractor hyped sealers are no better, they are either emulsion or coal tar type sealers. They're very toxic messy products made of the same materials as your asphalt pavement is.

What are the best asphalt sealer consumer reports? ›

Best Asphalt Driveway Sealer Consumer Reports 2021
  • Best Asphalt Driveway Sealer Consumer Reports 2021. ...
  • EnduraSeal - Best Acrylic Concrete Wet Look Sealer. ...
  • Henry - Best Blacktop Driveway Sealer Consumer Reports. ...
  • GoldStar - Best Asphalt Driveway Sealer. ...
  • EnduraSeal - Best Acrylic Concrete Wet Look Sealer.

What driveway sealer lasts the longest? ›

Wrapping Up. So, if you're looking for the longest-lasting driveway sealer, Liquid Rubber Driveway Restore is the best choice. It offers a blend of longevity, versatility, and affordability that's hard to beat.

Do driveway sealers need two coats? ›

Applying two coats of any sealer will dry and create a better finish much better than one thick coat. These sealers are water based, and they cure and form a film primarily during the evaporation of water from the coating. A thin coat will evaporate much faster and create a single uniform layer.

How much does it cost to top coat an asphalt driveway? ›

How Much Does It Cost to Sealcoat Asphalt Driveways? The average cost for a contractor to sealcoat your asphalt driveway is $0.17 to $0.24 per square foot. Driveways measuring 480 square feet cost $80 to $115 to sealcoat. Larger driveways cost $170 to $240 to sealcoat.

Can you seal an old asphalt driveway? ›

Resealing a driveway is an easy project and if it's done right, can improve the surface for years and help your driveway to last longer.

Is it better to spray or roll driveway sealer? ›

Spraying Concrete sealers tends to be the more commonly used method for contractors and larger jobs, and rolling is more for the homeowner or smaller jobs. Once again, if you choose to use a Penetrating Concrete sealer, it must be sprayed onto the surface and topical sealers can be applied either way.

What are the negatives about sealing a driveway? ›

There are plenty of advantages as you can see, but you should be aware of a few reasons not to get your driveway sealed.
  • Extra Expense. ...
  • You Have to Do It Repeatedly. ...
  • Sealing Can't Be Done During Winter. ...
  • Doesn't Provide Complete Protection. ...
  • May Cause the Surface to Get Hotter in the Summer.
Apr 2, 2024

Should you wet the driveway before sealing? ›

If the asphalt pavement is wet, the sealcoat will not stick. For the material to be applied, the asphalt must be completely dry. The application and drying of sealcoating don't go well together in rainy or foggy weather. Rain prevents the covering from fully curing.

What is the best type of asphalt driveway sealer? ›

Fast-Dry Asphalt Sealer

Regardless of the use to which you mean to put your asphalt space, fast-dry sealers may meet your need better than other types of driveway sealer. Fast-dry asphalt sealers are designed to cure in less than one hour.

Is water-based or oil-based asphalt sealer better? ›

Durability. Despite their eco-friendliness and user-friendly application, water-based sealers don't last as long as their oil-based counterparts. The general lifespan of water-based sealers is 2-3 years, compared to oil-based sealers which last for 4-6 years.

What are the disadvantages of sealcoating? ›

The Drawbacks of Seal Coating

One is that it can be messy and difficult to apply evenly. It's also important to note that sealants will not repair significant damage to your driveway; they will only protect it from further damage. If your driveway is damaged, you'll need to have it repaired before sealcoating it.

Is water based or oil based asphalt sealer better? ›

Durability. Despite their eco-friendliness and user-friendly application, water-based sealers don't last as long as their oil-based counterparts. The general lifespan of water-based sealers is 2-3 years, compared to oil-based sealers which last for 4-6 years.

What is the best way to seal a blacktop driveway? ›

  1. Step 1: Clean Driveway. Use a leaf blower or broom to sweep leaves, acorns and dust from the surface of the driveway. ...
  2. Step 2: Patch Cracks and Holes. ...
  3. Step 3: Clean Driveway and Mix the Sealant. ...
  4. Step 4: Seal Edge by Hand. ...
  5. Step 5: Pour Sealant Along Edge. ...
  6. Step 6: Apply a Second Coat.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Last Updated:

Views: 5245

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Birthday: 1998-01-29

Address: Apt. 611 3357 Yong Plain, West Audra, IL 70053

Phone: +5819954278378

Job: Construction Director

Hobby: Embroidery, Creative writing, Shopping, Driving, Stand-up comedy, Coffee roasting, Scrapbooking

Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.