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Best Asphalt Crack Fillers for Driveways
Cracks are where driveways die. Water gets in, freezes, expands, and a quarter-inch crack becomes a pothole in two winters. Filling them is the cheapest, highest-value thing you can do for your asphalt. Here is how to choose the right filler for the crack in front of you.
Quick picks
| Product | Price | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton PLI-STIX 60 ft Asphalt & Concrete Crack Filler | $$ | Best overall: melt-in rubberized rope, closest to pro hot pour |
| Crack-Stix 125 ft 1/2" Blacktop Crack Filler | $$$ | Best for long driveways with lots of cracks |
| Sakrete Blacktop Crack Filler | $$ | Easy pourable filler for many small cracks |
| Red Devil 0637 Asphalt Crack Filler Sealant | $ | Cheapest quick fix with a caulk gun |
| Bluestar Flexible Asphalt Crack Filler | $ | Flexible ready-to-use filler, no tools |
Match the filler to the crack
Hairline cracks (under 1/8 inch). Don't fill them separately. A good filler-sealer coat will bridge them. Just clean them out.
Small cracks (1/8 to 1/2 inch). This is the most common case. A pourable filler, a caulk-tube filler, or a melt-in rope all work. Rope fillers last the longest.
Wide cracks (1/2 to 1 inch). Push foam backer rod into the crack first so the filler has something to sit on, then fill the top half inch. A thick rope filler is the best DIY option here.
Over 1 inch, or "alligator" cracking. A web of connected cracks means the base underneath is failing. Filler will only hide it for a season. That section needs to be cut out and patched, which is usually a job for a paving or sealcoating contractor.
Hot pour vs. cold pour
Professionals use hot rubberized crack sealant melted in a kettle at around 380°F. It bonds to the walls of the crack and stays flexible through winter. Homeowners can get close with melt-in rope products like PLI-STIX and Crack-Stix: you press the rope into the crack and soften it with a propane torch. Cold-pour fillers in jugs and tubes are easier, but they shrink as they dry and often need a second application.
The crack fillers we recommend
Dalton PLI-STIX 60 ft Asphalt & Concrete Crack Filler (2-pack)
- Rubberized rope melts into the crack with a torch, stays flexible, and you can drive on it quickly. Comes as a two-pack.
- You need a propane torch, and you have to be careful near grass, siding, and cars.
This is the closest thing to professional hot pour you can buy for a driveway. Clean the crack, lay the rope in, push it down, and heat it slowly until it melts flat and bonds. Done right, it outlasts any jug filler we have used.
Crack-Stix 125 ft 1/2" Blacktop Crack Filler
- 125 feet in one box, same melt-in method, cut to length with a utility knife.
- Higher upfront cost. Only worth it if you have a lot of cracks.
If you walked your driveway and counted dozens of feet of cracks, the bigger box saves you a second order. Store leftovers somewhere cool so the coils don't stick together.
Sakrete Blacktop Crack Filler (1 gallon)
- Pour straight from the jug, self-levels, cleans up with water while wet.
- Shrinks as it cures. Deeper cracks usually need a second pass.
For a driveway with lots of small, shallow cracks, a pourable gallon is fast. Overfill slightly, smooth it with a putty knife or squeegee, and let it cure fully before sealcoating over it.
Red Devil 0637 Asphalt Crack Filler Sealant (10.1 oz cartridge)
- Cheap, fits a standard caulk gun, very precise.
- One tube does not go far. Not for wide cracks.
A tube is perfect for the handful of cracks along the garage apron or where the driveway meets the sidewalk. Smooth the bead with a wet putty knife so it doesn't sit proud of the surface.
Bluestar Flexible Asphalt Crack Filler
- Ready to use, flexible once cured, easy for first-timers.
- Small quantity for the price. Best for spot repairs.
If you just want to fix a few cracks this afternoon with nothing more than the bottle, Bluestar is an easy start.
How to fill cracks so the repair lasts
- Clean it out. Pull weeds, scrape out dirt, and blow out the crack with a leaf blower. Filler won't stick to dust.
- Make sure it's dry. Never fill a damp crack.
- Use backer rod for anything deeper than half an inch.
- Fill flush or slightly over, then smooth. A hump will get scraped by snow shovels.
- Let it cure per the label before you sealcoat over it, usually a day or more for cold pour.
Our bottom line
For most driveways, a melt-in rope like PLI-STIX is worth the extra step. For a few quick fixes, grab a jug or a tube. Then protect the whole surface with one of our recommended sealers.
Related guides: Best pothole and asphalt patch products · Protecting your driveway in winter