Driveway maintenance checklist
Updated August 2026
Driveway care depends on the surface: sealcoat asphalt every 2 to 3 years and fill any cracks each fall before the freeze, or on concrete, reseal the control joints and keep de-icing salt off new slabs. The whole point is stopping water from getting into cracks, freezing, and heaving the surface apart. A DIY sealcoat runs $100–300 and buys years: asphalt lasts 15 to 20 with upkeep, concrete 30 to 40.
| Task | Interval | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Fill cracks wider than 1/4 inch with filler | Yearly | $15–40 DIY |
| Clean oil stains that soften and eat asphalt | Yearly | 30 min · DIY |
| Clear soil and grass creeping over the edges | Yearly | 20 min · DIY |
| Task | Interval | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Sealcoat the surface | 2–3 years | $100–300 DIY / $300–700 pro |
| Patch potholes and alligator cracking | As needed | $0–200 DIY |
| Task | Interval | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Reseal control and expansion joints | 2–3 years | $20–60 DIY |
| Apply a penetrating concrete sealer | 3–5 years | $100–250 DIY |
| Keep de-icer off slabs under a year old | Each winter | no cost |
What neglect costs
Every big driveway repair started as a crack someone left open. Water seeps in, freezes, and expands, widening the gap and undermining the base until edges crumble and potholes form. On asphalt, a neglected surface also oxidizes grey and brittle under UV, so it cracks everywhere at once. Left long enough, small cracks turn into a full tear-out and repave at $3,000–8,000 for an average driveway, versus the $20 tube of crack filler and $100–300 sealcoat that would have prevented it. See how long a driveway lasts for the payoff of staying ahead.
Leave these to a pro
Crack-filling and sealcoating are satisfying DIY jobs, but a driveway that is cracked across the whole surface, sunken, or heaving needs a paving contractor. Professional sealcoating runs $300–700 for an average driveway and buys a more even, durable coat than the DIY version. A full resurface or replacement is $3,000–8,000 and up. If cracks keep reopening within a year of filling, the base underneath may be failing, and no amount of surface sealer fixes a bad base, so get it assessed before you repave.
This whole checklist ships as reminders in OnOtto: every task above, on the right schedule for your home, snooze-proof.
Load this checklist as remindersFrequently asked questions
How often should an asphalt driveway be sealed?
Every 2 to 3 years is the sweet spot for most asphalt driveways. Seal too often, more than every couple of years, and the coating builds up and peels; wait too long and UV and water have already started breaking down the surface. A quick test: if the asphalt has faded from black to grey and water no longer beads, it is due. Always fill cracks first and seal on a dry, warm stretch. The sealcoat interval page covers timing by climate.
Does a concrete driveway need sealing too?
Yes, though less often than asphalt. A penetrating concrete sealer every 3 to 5 years helps repel water, road salt, and oil, which is what causes concrete to scale, pit, and spall over time. Just as important, reseal the control and expansion joints so water cannot get underneath and heave the slabs. New concrete especially should be kept clear of de-icing salts for its first winter or two, since they attack the surface before it has fully cured. The concrete-sealing page has the schedule.
How long does a driveway last?
An asphalt driveway lasts about 15 to 20 years, and a concrete one 30 to 40, when either is kept sealed and its cracks filled. Climate drives the difference: hard freeze-thaw cycles and heavy salt use shorten both, while a mild climate and good drainage extend them. The base under the surface matters as much as the surface itself, since a poorly built base leads to early cracking no matter how well you seal. See how long a driveway lasts by climate and base.