Sealcoating
Sealcoating Cost Per Square Foot: Drives & Lots
Cojo
March 19, 2026
5 min read
When you are comparing sealcoating quotes, per-square-foot cost is the only metric that gives you an apples-to-apples comparison. Without standardizing to a per-square-foot rate, you cannot tell who is actually giving you the better deal.
This guide breaks down per-square-foot sealcoating costs for every common project type. For broader pricing context including Oregon regional variations, see our Oregon sealcoating pricing guide.
Industry baseline ranges represent ideal conditions. In practice, actual costs frequently exceed published averages by 2 to 3 times when complications arise — deferred maintenance, extensive cracking, oil contamination, access difficulty, and scheduling constraints all push costs higher. An on-site assessment is the only reliable way to budget.
Residential sealcoating costs more per square foot than commercial work because projects are smaller and fixed costs represent a larger share.
Industry Baseline Range
| Driveway Type | Typical Size | Cost/Sq Ft | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-car straight | 200-350 sq ft | $0.25-$0.60+ | $100-$250+ |
| Two-car straight | 400-600 sq ft | $0.18-$0.50+ | $125-$400+ |
| Two-car wide | 600-800 sq ft | $0.15-$0.45+ | $150-$500+ |
| L-shaped | 600-1,000 sq ft | $0.15-$0.45+ | $150-$550+ |
| Long/rural | 1,000-2,000 sq ft | $0.12-$0.40+ | $200-$900+ |
| Circular | 800-1,500 sq ft | $0.15-$0.45+ | $175-$750+ |
| Estate/extended | 2,000-4,000 sq ft | $0.10-$0.35+ | $300-$1,500+ |
These figures reflect published industry averages. Current market pricing varies significantly and actual quotes may fall well outside these ranges.
Most Oregon contractors have a minimum charge. Very small driveways pay an effective per-square-foot rate higher than standard because the minimum applies regardless of size. This reflects the real cost of sending a crew and equipment to your property.
The most common residential sealcoating project is the standard two-car driveway (400-700 sq ft). A standard job includes surface cleaning, crack filling, edge taping, two-coat application, and traffic barricading. If your quote falls within published industry ranges for a two-coat application with standard prep, you are in the right neighborhood for Oregon's market.
Commercial sealcoating is significantly cheaper per square foot because larger surfaces are faster to coat and fixed costs are distributed over more area.
Industry Baseline Range
| Property Type | Typical Area | Cost/Sq Ft | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small retail lot (20-30 spaces) | 6,000-10,000 sq ft | $0.08-$0.30+ | $500-$3,500+ |
| Medium retail lot (50-75 spaces) | 15,000-25,000 sq ft | $0.07-$0.25+ | $1,000-$6,500+ |
| Large retail lot (100+ spaces) | 30,000-60,000 sq ft | $0.06-$0.22+ | $1,800-$13,000+ |
| Office complex | 10,000-30,000 sq ft | $0.07-$0.25+ | $700-$8,000+ |
| Apartment complex | 15,000-50,000 sq ft | $0.07-$0.25+ | $1,000-$13,000+ |
| Church / school | 10,000-40,000 sq ft | $0.07-$0.25+ | $700-$10,000+ |
| Industrial / warehouse | 20,000-80,000 sq ft | $0.06-$0.20+ | $1,200-$16,000+ |
These figures reflect published industry averages. Current market pricing varies significantly and actual quotes may fall well outside these ranges.
Commercial properties also frequently bundle sealcoating with line striping, which is needed after a fresh sealcoat.
Lower cost factors: Large continuous surfaces, good condition, daytime full closure, multi-year contracts, bundling services.
Higher cost factors: Night/weekend work, phased application, heavy crack filling, oil stain treatment, tight layouts, significant grade changes.
Use published industry ranges as starting points. Actual costs require on-site assessment.
Driveways: Measure length times width. For irregular shapes, break into rectangles and add together.
Parking lots: Count spaces and multiply by 325-350 sq ft per space (accounts for stall plus drive lanes). A 50-space lot is approximately 16,000-17,500 sq ft.
Quick formula: Number of parking spaces x 350 = approximate lot square footage.
| Factor | Residential | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Per-sq-ft cost (industry baseline) | $0.10-$0.60+ | $0.06-$0.35+ |
| Application method | Spray or squeegee | Spray (typically) |
| Typical coats | 2 | 2 |
| Scheduling | Weekday daytime | Often nights/weekends |
| Includes striping | N/A | Usually separate |
Understanding per-square-foot pricing puts you in a strong position to evaluate quotes. Know your approximate square footage, ask each contractor for their per-square-foot rate and what it includes, and compare on equal terms.
Cojo provides sealcoating services for residential driveways and commercial sealcoating for parking lots across Oregon's Willamette Valley.
Contact us for a free sealcoating estimate.
How much does sealcoating cost per square foot? Industry sources have historically reported residential sealcoating at $0.10 to $0.60+ per square foot and commercial at $0.06 to $0.35+ per square foot. Rates decrease as total project area increases. Actual market pricing can vary significantly from published ranges.
How much does it cost to sealcoat a 2-car driveway? Industry sources have historically reported a standard two-car driveway (400-700 sq ft) at $125 to $500+ for professional sealcoating in Oregon. Actual costs depend on surface condition, crack repair needs, and accessibility.
Why is commercial sealcoating cheaper per square foot than residential? Commercial lots have larger, continuous surfaces that can be coated quickly with spray equipment. Fixed costs are distributed over more area.
Does sealcoating cost include crack filling? It depends. Many contractors include minor crack filling in their standard price. Extensive crack filling for wider cracks is usually quoted separately.
How do I measure my driveway for a sealcoating quote? Measure length and width in feet and multiply. For irregular shapes, break into rectangles and add totals. For parking lots, count spaces and multiply by 350 sq ft per space.
A practical guide to sealcoating apartment and condo parking lots. Covers phased scheduling, tenant communication, cost allocation, liability, and ROI for property value.
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Sealcoating timing guide for Oregon's western Cascade foothills including Sweet Home, Oakridge, and surrounding communities. Higher elevation and increased rainfall create a tighter schedule.
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