When Can I Drive on a Newly Paved Driveway?

Stay off your new driveway for at least two days, depending on the paving material.

Driveway paving materials vary depending on the needs of the driveway and the visual cohesion of the landscape. Common materials for driveway paving include asphalt and concrete, which each need a specific time to dry before you can drive on them.

Asphalt

According to Dalalio Southfork Asphalt in Southampton, New York, you can technically drive on an asphalt driveway almost as soon as the work is done, but this is not recommended. A two- to three-day wait is generally long enough to allow the asphalt to sufficiently dry. But this can depend on the weather as well. Warmer temperatures (above 80 degrees Fahrenheit) will soften the new asphalt, which means that you should wait longer---up to five days---before driving on the new surface.

Concrete

Concrete takes longer to dry, so Schmitz Ready Mix in Milwaukee recommends staying off a concrete driveway for three to seven days before you drive on it.

Considerations

Driving on a freshly completed asphalt driveway will leave tire marks in the driveway's surface. You should also avoid making sharp turns on the asphalt in hotter temperatures even after the two- to three-day waiting period. Asphalt softens in the heat and quick turns cause the tires to dig into the softened surface.

References

• Delalio-SFA: Driveway FAQ
• Glidden Excavating and Painting: FAQ
• Schmitz Mix: FAQs About Concrete