Concrete curing requirements, state by state
How long concrete pavement must be cured, and by which methods, varies by state DOT. Here is each state's requirement, cited to its Standard Specifications.
43 states · each value quoted from the state's Standard Specifications, with the page linked · how these answers are produced
| State | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Cure concrete pavement in Alabama for a minimum of 72 hours using either an impervious membrane (applied at ≥1 gal/100 sq ft) or moist curing (fog spraying or saturated burlap). | Alabama DOT Standard Specifications, p. 263 |
| Alaska | Cure concrete pavement in Alaska for at least 7 days (10 days if fly ash/slag >10% of cement), plus 1 extra day per day below 50°F. | Alaska DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 200–201Alaska DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 198–200 |
| Arizona | Curing compound must be applied within 15 minutes after texturing and before drying cracks appear; use ≥1 gal/100 sq ft. If ambient temp >85°F, fog with atomized mist until initial joint sawing. | Arizona DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 270–271 |
| California | "Maintain the concrete pavement surface temperature at not less than 40 degrees F for the initial 72 hours." "Unless otherwise specified, cure newly placed concrete by one of the method specified in this section. | California DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 630–632California DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 1283–1284 |
| Colorado | For Colorado concrete pavement, apply ASTM C309 Type 2 VOC-compliant curing compound within 10 mins of final finish, using 1 gal/180 sq ft (initial + repeat in 30 mins) or 1 gal/120 sq ft (single application). | Colorado DOT Standard Specifications, p. 399Colorado DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 399–401 |
| Delaware | "Allow to cure for at least 7 uninterrupted calendar days after placing concrete." "Leave forms in place without loosening for 7 uninterrupted calendar days or in accordance with Section 610.3.7." "E. | Delaware DOT Standard Specifications, p. 250Delaware DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 155–156 |
| Florida | "Cure cast - in - place and precast (non - prestressed) concrete as required herein for a minimum duration of 72 hours. | Florida DOT Standard Specifications, p. 432Florida DOT Standard Specifications, p. 385 |
| Georgia | Use Impervious Membrane Method (white pigmented curing compound at 1 gal/150 ft², applied immediately after finishing and before setting, avoiding rain, with continuous stirring; repair damaged film immediately) OR White Polyethylene… | Georgia DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 511–512Georgia DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 557–558 |
| Hawaii | "Protect concrete from mechanical damage and damage caused by exposure to sun, rain, and flowing water. Do not allow concrete to dry out from time of concrete placement until end of minimum curing period. | Hawaii DOT Standard Specifications, Section 503 — Concrete Structures, pp. 18–19 |
| Idaho | "If the film is damaged within 72 hours, immediately repair the damaged portion with additional compound at no additional cost to the Department." | Idaho DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 295–296 |
| Indiana | "Except when liquid membrane forming compounds are used, curing shall be continuous for 96 h unless a longer period is ordered." "(a) Rate of application shall be at least 1 gal. | Indiana DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 522–523Indiana DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 562–563 |
| Iowa | Cure concrete pavement with white pigmented liquid curing compound (meeting Section 4105) applied as a fine spray within 30 minutes after finishing (free water disappeared) at 0.067 gal/yd² (15 yd²/gal). | Iowa DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 292–293Iowa DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 1073–1074 |
| Kentucky | Cure concrete pavement in Kentucky by covering and curing the entire surface immediately after finishing, using one of these methods: (1) White Membrane Curing: Apply Type 2 liquid membrane-forming curing compound (1–2 coats, 1 gal/300 sq… | Kentucky DOT Standard Specifications, p. 242Kentucky DOT Standard Specifications, p. 243 |
| Louisiana | Apply white-pigmented curing compound to exposed pavement surfaces immediately after surface finishing and bleed water evaporation, or within 0.5 hours if evaporation is rapid; maintain curing continuously for 72 hours; avoid application… | Louisiana DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 310–311Louisiana DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 987–988 |
| Maine | "All slabs and wearing surfaces shall be water cured and continuously wet for the entire curing period by covering with one of the following systems:" "A. 2 layers of wet burlap," | Maine DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 403–404 |
| Maryland | Cure concrete pavement for at least 72 hours; if ambient air temperature falls below 40°F, extend curing to 96 hours using insulated/electric blankets and maintain concrete temperature above 40°F. | Maryland DOT Standard Specifications, 2025 Standard Specifications, pp. 694–695Maryland DOT Standard Specifications, 2025 Standard Specifications, pp. 695–696 |
| Massachusetts | Concrete pavement (Item 476) must be cured for ≥10 days with sustained ambient temps 40–85°F and maintained until 70% of f’c is attained. Curing must prevent moisture loss and protect from adverse conditions until 100% f’c. | Massachusetts DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 533–534Massachusetts DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 532–533 |
| Michigan | For Michigan concrete pavement, apply membrane curing compound (1 coat for non-grooved, 2 coats for grooved surfaces) at ≥1 gal/25 sq yds per coat, with 2-hour max between coats. Cure immediately after free water leaves the surface. | Michigan DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 337–338Michigan DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 417–418 |
| Minnesota | "After completing final finishing operations, cure exposed concrete surfaces . Use one of the following curing methods:" "(2) Place plastic curing blankets or completely saturated burlap curing blankets in accordance with 2401.3G.2.b ,… | Minnesota DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 225–226Minnesota DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 244–245 |
| Mississippi | "501.03.20.2--White Polyethylene Sheeting . The top surface and sides of the pavement shall be entirely covered with polyethylene sh eeting. The pieces used shall be lapped at least 18 inches. | Mississippi DOT Standard Specifications, p. 369Mississippi DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 380–381 |
| Montana | "Use a fully automatic, self -propelled mechanical power sprayer to apply the curing compound in accordance with the following:" "1. | Montana DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 252–253Montana DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 278–279 |
| Nebraska | "a. The Contractor shall apply curing compound to all concrete pavement repairs. The cure compound shall be applied immediately after each patch is completed." "(1) When pavement and joint repairs are overlaid with asphaltic concrete, the… | Nebraska DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 460–461 |
| Nevada | "Cure Portland cement c oncrete pavement by either method specified in this Subsection. In case of low temperatures, increase the curing period according to the provisions of Subsection 501.03.09 (b)." "(b) Curing Compound Method . | Nevada DOT Standard Specifications, p. 201Nevada DOT Standard Specifications, p. 222 |
| New Hampshire | "Curing shall begin as soon as the concrete has hardened sufficiently to prevent surface damage fro m the water spray. | New Hampshire DOT Standard Specifications, p. 342New Hampshire DOT Standard Specifications, p. 210 |
| New Jersey | "Protecting Concrete Structures. Post warning tape around flatwork such as bridge decks, pavement, sidewalks, driveways, and islands dur ing the curing period. | New Jersey DOT Standard Specifications, p. 271 |
| New Mexico | For PCCP in New Mexico, use Method 2 (curing compound) per Section 450.3.6, applying 2 coats within 30 mins of texturing (1st coat within 10 mins), maintaining coverage until 3,000 psi or traffic opening. | New Mexico DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 255–256New Mexico DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 377–379 |
| New York | "Immediately after finishing, and not more than 30 minutes after concrete placement, apply a clear membrane curing compound that includes a fugitive dye at a min. rate of 1 gallon per 150 square feet. | New York DOT Standard Specifications, 2026 Specs Vol 3 — Structures, p. 65New York DOT Standard Specifications, 2026 Specs Vol 2 — Sections 200-599, p. 205 |
| North Carolina | Cure concrete pavement immediately after finishing, using membrane curing compound (min 0.0067 gal/sf mechanically applied, 0.01 gal/sf hand-applied) or polyethylene film (black/dark for 40–60°F, white opaque for >60°F, ASTM C171). | North Carolina DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 314–316 |
| North Dakota | Cure concrete pavement for at least 72 hours using wetted fabric (cotton, burlap, or geotextile) or impervious membrane; apply cure within 30 minutes of screeding; use fogging for rapid drying; suspend curing when pavement reaches… | North Dakota DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 252–253 |
| Ohio | Cure concrete pavement with membrane (fog seal) at 1 gal/150 sq ft, keep covered for 7 days until beams reach 450 psi modulus of rupture, protect from freezing until 600 psi strength is attained. | Ohio DOT Standard Specifications, p. 271 |
| Oklahoma | Cure concrete pavement immediately after texturing using cotton/burlap mats (moist for 72 hr), impervious membrane (white-pigmented curing compound at 1 gal/200 ft² or 1 gal/150 ft² if >100°F), or white polyethylene sheeting (overlap ≥18… | Oklahoma DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 285–286Oklahoma DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 286–287 |
| Oregon | Cure concrete pavement for a minimum of 7 calendar days by covering with wet burlap overlain with plastic sheets or by keeping the top of the concrete under water. | Oregon DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 973–974 |
| Pennsylvania | "For applications less than 6 inches in nominal depth, provide adequate insulating blankets to prevent rapid heat loss if the air temperature is 45F or less. | Pennsylvania DOT Standard Specifications, p. 372Pennsylvania DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 371–372 |
| Rhode Island | For concrete pavement in Rhode Island, continuously moist cure for at least 7 days (Subsection 601.03.8) or until 28-day strength is achieved (Subsection 607.03.8). | Rhode Island DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 324–325Rhode Island DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 294–295 |
| South Carolina | Exclude vehicular traffic for ≥14 days (excluding temps <40°F; count 40–50°F at ½ time) OR cure 48 hrs until field-cured specimens reach 3000 psi (ASTM C31). | South Carolina DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 309–310South Carolina DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 303–304 |
| South Dakota | "application is not a substitute for curing with curing blankets and polyethylene sheeting but is required for moisture retention until the curing blankets and polyethylene curing materials can be placed. | South Dakota DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 331–332South Dakota DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 329–330 |
| Tennessee | "Immediately after completing the finishing operations and as soon as marring of the concrete will not occur, cover and cure the entire surface of the newly placed concrete." "Where curing requires the use of water, ensure that sufficient… | Tennessee DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 418–419 |
| Texas | "artificial heat is above 50°F for at least 19 hr. or the surface temperature of the concrete is maintained above 40°F for 24 hr. | Texas DOT Standard Specifications, p. 465Texas DOT Standard Specifications, p. 565 |
| Utah | For concrete pavement in Utah, use a liquid membrane curing compound (LMCC) with ASTM C309 Type I D Class A, applied at 100 ft²/gal in two passes (combined rate) with 30 min between applications. | Utah DOT Standard Specifications, 2026 Standard Specifications, pp. 1066–1067Utah DOT Standard Specifications, 2026 Standard Specifications, pp. 1063–1064 |
| Virginia | Cure concrete pavement surfaces with approved materials (e.g., white PE film, or clear/opaque PE film Nov 1–Apr 1) immediately after finishing and before sheen disappears; maintain curing for 7 days. Protect edges after form removal. | Virginia DOT Standard Specifications, p. 445Virginia DOT Standard Specifications, p. 497 |
| Washington | Curing must meet one of these methods: (1) Curing Compound: Type 2 liquid membrane-forming compound (1 gal/150 sq ft) applied immediately after finishing (after bleed water disappears) with wind protection; reapply if damaged by rain or… | Washington DOT Standard Specifications, p. 345Washington DOT Standard Specifications, p. 346 |
| Wisconsin | For concrete pavement ≤100 ft: cure with polyethylene-coated burlap (or wetted burlap for ≥12 hrs then coated) for ≥7 days, ensuring continuous moisture. | WisDOT Std Spec 502.3.8.2WisDOT Std Spec 502.3.8.2 |
| Wyoming | Apply a "premium white" impervious curing compound within 15 minutes after texturing, at 150 ft²/gal (3.5 m²/L), covering entire width and sides. | Wyoming DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 363–364Wyoming DOT Standard Specifications, pp. 499–500 |
State DOT specifications apply to that DOT's own contracts; private and municipal work follows the project spec and local code. Specs are revised — confirm the edition named in the source before relying on a value.