Pressure washing a driveway usually takes about 1–2 hours for a typical two-car driveway. Very small driveways (200–400 sq ft) might be done in 30–60 minutes, while very large or badly neglected drives (800+ sq ft) could take 2–4 hours. In fact, experts often say it can be “as little as 30 minutes or as long as three hours,” depending on the situation. On average, most residential driveways fall in the 1–3 hour range. So in short: for an average two-car concrete or asphalt drive, plan on around an hour or so; smaller spots are quicker, and very big or dirty jobs will take longer.

This dramatic before-and-after shows why pressure washing is worth it: years of dirt and stains vanish with the right technique. Of course, getting to that result depends on a few key factors. Let’s look at what affects the cleaning time and how to speed up the job.

What Affects Cleaning Time

Several factors determine how long the washing takes:

• Driveway size: Bigger surfaces take longer. For example, a 600–700 sq ft two-car drive normally needs about 1 hour, but an 800+ sq ft driveway can take 2–4 hours.
• Level of dirt/stains: A lightly dirty driveway cleans quickly. But years of built-up grime, oil stains or mildew will slow you down. Cleaning out deep stains takes extra scrubbing or chemicals.
• Equipment power: Commercial-grade washers and special tools clean faster. Home-use models (low PSI/GPM) work more slowly. Pros often attach a rotating surface-cleaner head that covers a wide area fast, whereas a standard spray nozzle wand is slower and can leave streaks.
• Operator experience: Skilled users know how to work efficiently. A pro with high-pressure gear can blast a two-car drive in 30–60 minutes, but a DIY homeowner with a small washer might take 1.5–2.5 hours.
• Preparation & crew: Clearing cars, toys, or leaves first can save time. Working with a helper also speeds things up (one person can move hoses or stuff while the other sprays).

In short, size, dirtiness, and equipment/skill are the biggest time-drivers. As one expert sums up: the time “depends on the size of your driveway, its current condition, and the quality of your equipment”.

Typical Cleaning Times by Driveway Size

To give a quick estimate, many guides break it down by driveway area:

• Small (200–400 sq ft): about 30–60 minutes. (Roughly a one-car space.)
• Medium (400–800 sq ft): about 1–2 hours. (Typical two-car driveway.)
• Large (800+ sq ft): about 2–4 hours. (Long or three-plus car drives.)

These are ballpark ranges. For example, a well-maintained 600–700 sq ft drive often takes around 1 hour to clean thoroughly. But if that same drive is 10 years old, grimy and filled with oil spots, even pros might need a couple of hours to get it spotless.

Tips for Faster, Efficient Cleaning

• Sweep and clear first: Before spraying, remove leaves, twigs, and loose debris. A clean surface lets the washer work on the tough stuff, not just dirt piles.
• Pre-treat tough stains: Apply a degreaser or cleaning solution on oil spots, moss, or mildew and let it sit for a few minutes. This loosens stubborn grime and can cut down your scrubbing time.
• Use the right attachment: If you have a surface-cleaning tool (a round spinning brush head), use it on flat areas. It scrubs wide strips at once and is much faster than a single nozzle.
• Maintain nozzle technique: Hold the spray a few inches from the surface and sweep in straight, overlapping lines. A steady distance and pattern prevents streaks and misses, so you don’t have to go back over spots.
• Divide the work: Clean the driveway in sections (e.g. left side then right). This makes it more manageable and ensures even cleaning.
• Enlist help: Two people can really speed things up. One can focus on spraying while the other manages hoses, moves obstacles, or checks for missed patches.

Clearing away debris and working in an organized way makes the biggest difference. In fact, studies note that sweeping first and proper pre-soaking of stains can significantly cut total wash time. And as mentioned above, using a surface cleaner (see image below) greatly boosts coverage.

Following these tips will help you get the job done quicker and with better results.