<p>This paper explores the relationships between cohesive energy and physicochemical properties of bitumen. Bitumen, a key component of asphalt pavement, undergoes significant changes in physical and chemical properties with aging. While previous research has extensively covered the physical and chemical aspects of bitumen, this study seeks to shed light on the relatively unexplored cohesive energy, which is determined based on the surface free energy of the bitumen. The study evaluates cohesive energy and physicochemical properties of three bitumen types (30/45, 70/100, and 25/55-55A) under both unaged and aged conditions. Aging methods encompass direct aging (Rolling Thin Film Oven test (RTFO) + Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV)) and the recovery of bitumen from laboratory aged asphalt mixtures, which are made with basalt, limestone, and quartzite aggregates. The study employs a range of testing methods, including physical, rheological, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and surface free energy assessments. The study reveals a change of cohesive energy after aging, with increased cohesive energy observed in certain recovered aged bitumen. Additionally, cohesive energy shows a positive relation with the changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the bitumen after aging. The correlations between cohesive energy and physicochemical properties suggest the potential of cohesive energy as an indicator of bitumen behavior under varying aging conditions, and it can be utilized to characterize bitumen behavior.</p>