How Long Does A Concrete Driveway Take to Dry?

After having a local concrete contractor pour and finish a new concrete driveway, the age-old questions homeowners often ask is:

“How long does concrete take to dry?” or “When can I drive on the concrete?”

The answer is complicated and depends on a range of factors, including temperature, humidity, and the type of concrete. These three factors can speed up the drying process when conditions are prime.

Generally, caution should always be taken, and the best option is to leave the concrete alone. For more info, contact an experienced concrete finisher.

Type of Concrete

In an ideal world, the concrete driveway should dry to a temperature of 85-90% relative humidity before being driven or walked upon. If you are in a rush, fast-drying cement can shorten the waiting period and sometimes be able to be walked on in three hours. However, you sacrifice drying time for durability, which can mean weaker concrete. Most of the time, quick dry concrete is not recommended. Concrete typically will take between 24-48 hours, depending on the size of your concrete project. After seven days, the concrete will be ready for heavy equipment to drive on without causing damage to the surface. After 28 days, the concrete should be completely dry and last for years.

Humidity

Another factor in concrete curing is the amount of water in the mix. The amount of water absorbed in a concrete mix depends on whether the concrete is lightweight or heavyweight. Lightweight concrete sets quicker, while high-cement mix will dry faster but may cause cracks. The concrete won't dry properly if the mix has too much water. This will result in uneven slabs, and too much moisture can result in cracks. When this happens, flakes and a future tear-out may be required. Because of this, ensure you hire a reliable and experienced contractor for your residential concrete driveway project.

Temperature

After leaving your fresh concrete driveway for an hour, it hardens and can no longer be worked on. This is why keeping the proper temperature when curing your concrete is vital. Concrete dries quicker in warm weather. You can speed up the drying time by using heaters and dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air. Concrete will begin to harden when it reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour or more.