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Oil-Based vs. Water-Based Driveway Sealer: Asphalt Emulsion vs. Coal Tar
Walk into any hardware store and the sealer buckets all look the same: black, heavy, and full of promises. The real difference is what is inside. Here is a plain-English breakdown of water-based asphalt emulsion, coal tar, and true oil-based sealers, and which one makes sense for your driveway.
Quick picks
| Product | Price | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Jetcoat 10-Year Supreme Driveway Filler & Sealer | $$$ | Best water-based asphalt emulsion for longest wear |
| Black Jack Drive-Maxx 1000 Premium Filler & Sealer | $$ | Strong all-around emulsion sealer at a fair price |
| Henry HE532 Driveway Asphalt Resurfacer | $$ | Thicker emulsion for older, rougher driveways |
First, clear up the names
"Oil-based" and "water-based" get used loosely, even by contractors. Here's what each term really covers:
- Asphalt emulsion (water-based). Asphalt cement broken into tiny droplets and suspended in water, with clay, fillers, and often polymers or rubber added. The water evaporates and the asphalt is left behind as a black film. Almost every DIY bucket at the store today is this type.
- Coal tar emulsion. Also mixed with water, but the binder is refined coal tar instead of asphalt. When people say "the old oil-based stuff the pros used," this is usually what they mean.
- Solvent-based (true oil-based) sealers. Asphalt dissolved in a petroleum solvent. It soaks into the surface rather than sitting on top. Less common now because of strong fumes and VOC limits.
- Acrylic and polymer sealers. Premium synthetic coatings, sometimes tinted. Long-lasting but expensive, mostly used by pros.
Side by side
| Asphalt emulsion | Coal tar | Solvent (oil) based | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical life | 2 to 3 years | 3 to 5 years | 1 to 3 years |
| Resists gas & oil | Fair | Very good | Poor |
| Odor | Low | Strong | Strong |
| Cleanup | Soap and water while wet | Water while wet, harsh on skin | Mineral spirits |
| Health and environment | Best of the three | High in PAHs; banned in many places | High VOCs |
| Where you can buy it | Everywhere | Restricted or banned in many areas | Limited |
Coal tar: why the pros moved away from it
Coal tar sealer really does hold up well. It resists gasoline and oil drips better than asphalt and stays black longer. The problem is what is in it. Coal tar is very high in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which health agencies treat as probable cancer-causing chemicals. Studies have found the dust from worn coal tar driveways tracked into homes and washed into streams.
Because of that, a growing number of states, counties, and towns have banned it. Here in New York, the sale of coal tar pavement sealers has been banned statewide since November 2022, and their use was banned after that. Suffolk County banned it years earlier. If you live in New York, you shouldn't be buying it, and a reputable contractor shouldn't be putting it down. Check your own state and town rules if you live elsewhere.
Solvent-based sealers: mostly a thing of the past
True oil-based, solvent sealers soak in and can make a tired driveway look new for a while. But they give off strong fumes, they're flammable during application, and they can soften the asphalt if you put too much down. Air quality rules limit their sale in many states. For a homeowner, we don't think they're worth chasing.
So which one should you use?
For nearly every homeowner: a good water-based asphalt emulsion with filler in it. It's safe to use around kids and pets once cured, it cleans up with water, it's legal everywhere, and the premium versions last close to what coal tar used to. The key to making it last is not the chemistry, it's the application: a clean driveway, primed oil spots, and two thin coats. Our step-by-step guide walks through it.
Pay attention to two numbers on the label: the solids content (higher is better) and whether it contains sand or filler. Sand-filled sealers give better traction and fill tiny surface cracks.
Water-based sealers we recommend
Jetcoat 10-Year Supreme Driveway Filler & Sealer (4.75 gal)
- Premium asphalt emulsion with fillers that handles hairline cracks and wears well.
- Costs more per bucket, and you still need to reapply on a schedule. "10-year" is a marketing name, not a promise.
If you want the closest thing to the durability of old coal tar without the chemicals, this is our pick for DIY.
Black Jack Drive-Maxx 1000 Premium 10-Year Filler & Sealer (5 gal)
- Thick filler-sealer, good coverage, and a deep black finish.
- Needs good stirring. Thick material takes more effort to spread.
A reliable bucket that does what a homeowner needs. Stir it well before and during the job so the solids don't settle.
Henry HE532 Driveway Asphalt Resurfacer (5 gal)
- Heavier formula that fills and smooths worn surfaces better than a standard sealer.
- Heavier to spread and slower to dry. Overkill for a driveway in good shape.
If your driveway looks gray and rough, a resurfacer gives it more body than a standard coat. For a full comparison, see the best driveway sealers.
Our bottom line
Skip coal tar, especially in New York where it's banned. Skip solvent sealers. Buy a quality water-based asphalt emulsion with filler, apply two thin coats in good weather, and reseal when it needs it, using our guide on how often to sealcoat.