Sealcoat Calculator

Multiply your area in square feet by the number of coats, then divide by the coverage rate. Asphalt-based emulsion covers ~80 sq ft per gallon per coat. So a 5,000 sq ft driveway with 2 coats needs (5,000 × 2) / 80 = 125 gallons, plus 5% waste = ~131 gallons.

DIY sealcoat material runs $1.50-$3.00 per gallon (bulk mixed) or $4-$8 per gallon (concentrate). Hired sealcoating averages $0.15-$0.30 per square foot for asphalt-based, $0.20-$0.40 for coal-tar. A typical 1,500 sq ft driveway costs $225-$450 to have professionally sealed.

Asphalt-based emulsion is the most common — moderate cost, decent durability, EPA-friendly, ~80 sq ft/gal coverage. Coal-tar is more durable and chemical-resistant but banned in many states for environmental reasons; ~70 sq ft/gal. Acrylic is the most expensive but the most colorfast and the lowest VOC; ~100 sq ft/gal. Most residential and commercial work uses asphalt-based today.

Two coats is standard for new sealcoat applications, applied 4-8 hours apart with a squeegee or sprayer. Resealing existing sealcoat (every 2-4 years) typically uses one coat. Always read your specific product instructions — coverage and coat counts vary slightly between brands.

Every 2-4 years is the rule of thumb for residential driveways and parking lots. The signs are visible: color fading from black to gray, surface oxidation, hairline cracks beginning to widen, and water no longer beading on the surface. Climate matters: harsh-winter regions need more frequent resealing.

For a rectangle, multiply length × width. For irregular shapes (most real driveways and parking lots have curves, islands, and odd corners), professional contractors use ProPaving to draw the area on satellite imagery and get exact square footage in seconds. Try ProPaving free for 14 days.