can hold<\/a> up to 8,000lbs of weight. So it can hold most passenger vehicles and even trucks. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you plan to pack something heavier like an RV, a bus camper or heavy machinery, you\u2019ll need a stronger concrete driveway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Soon Can You Walk on A Fresh Concrete Driveway?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n A concrete driveway takes 24-48 hours to dry enough that you can safely walk on it without leaving footprints or scratching it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first 24 hours are especially crucial. Do not let anything, even pets, on the fresh concrete. Put up a warning tape (if the contractor has not already done so) to keep people and kids off the driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be safe, wait a full 2 days before walking on the driveway and 3 days before cycling on it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Long to Wait to Park on a New Asphalt Driveway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Like concrete, asphalt goes through a 2-stage drying and curing process. It dries pretty quickly (2-5 days) but can take up to a year to fully cure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s advisable to wait 7 days before driving or parking on a new asphalt driveway. Some contractors recommend a shorter waiting period of 3 days. But to be safe and avoid tire marks (which are especially common on new asphalt), it\u2019s best to wait a week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For heavier vehicles like an RV or a bus, wait 30 days for the asphalt to completely dry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with a concrete driveway, be careful while driving on a new asphalt driveway. Avoid sudden acceleration or braking, and don’t turn the wheels when the vehicle is stationary as they could scuff the asphalt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An asphalt driveway takes 6-12 months to fully cure. After that, it is much more resistant to scuffing and other kinds of damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nNote: <\/strong>Residential asphalt driveways have a weight limit of about 8,000lbs. So they can handle most passenger vehicles. Anything heavier like an RV or a commercial truck can damage the asphalt driveway even after it has cured. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nHow Soon Can You Walk on a New Asphalt Driveway?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n An asphalt driveway is usually dry enough to walk on after 24 hours, but it\u2019s best to wait 2-3 days to be safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wait 5-7 days before allowing bikes, skateboards or toys on the asphalt driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Long to Wait to Park on a New Paver Driveway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n If you want to park on a driveway as soon as it is complete, get a paver driveway. Because it doesn’t use concrete or asphalt, a paver driveway has no wait time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At most, the contractor might recommend waiting 1-2 days for the materials to fully compact. But others will say it\u2019s okay to drive and park on it immediately. You can also walk on a new paver driveway as soon as it\u2019s finished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is, however, an exception. If your new paver driveway has been edged with concrete, you\u2019ll need to wait 2-3 days for it to dry. You can then park and drive on the pavers, but avoid getting too close to the edges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Long to Wait to Park on a New Gravel Driveway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n A gravel driveway is another great option if you want zero wait time. Since there isn\u2019t any material that needs drying or curing, you can drive and park on a gravel driveway as soon as it is completed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is true even if the driveway has concrete edging. Just be careful not to get too close to the edges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to make sure the driveway has been compacted properly before parking on it. Otherwise, your vehicle could leave ruts and indentations on the gravel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Soon Should You Park On A Driveway After Sealing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a good idea to seal a driveway. The sealcoating protects the driveway from moisture damage, prevents stains and scuffing, and makes driveway maintenance easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concrete and asphalt driveways are usually sealed after they\u2019ve cured (1 month for concrete, 6-12 months for asphalt). Pavers can be sealed a lot sooner, typically after 24-48 hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a video showing how sealer is applied on a concrete driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n