How many hours does it take to pressure wash a driveway?
Most standard driveways take 1 to 2 hours to pressure wash professionally, with the exact time depending on square footage, staining severity, and whether pretreatment is needed for stubborn oil marks or algae. A small, lightly soiled driveway might be finished in under an hour, while a large or heavily stained driveway, particularly one requiring a degreaser with dwell time before rinsing, can take closer to 2–3 hours. DIY efforts typically run 30 minutes to an hour longer than professional estimates due to equipment setup, more conservative technique, and the learning curve of controlling pressure and nozzle angle effectively. If you’re planning the job yourself, budgeting a half-day rather than a strict hour count accounts realistically for setup, the actual cleaning, and cleanup afterward.