How much does a concrete driveway cost?
How much does a concrete driveway cost?
$4 – $8 cost per square foot installed
$1,600 – $4,600 average cost to pour a 2-car driveway
Concrete driveway cost
A concrete driveway costs $4 to $8 per square foot or $1,600 to $4,600 installed on average. The cost to pour a new concrete driveway with decorative colors, borders, stamped patterns, and finishes is $8 to $18 per square foot. Old driveway removal adds $1 to $3 per square foot.
| Size | Square feet | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10x20 Driveway (1-Car) | 200 | $800 – $1,600 |
| 12x24 Driveway (1-Car) | 288 | $1,200 – $2,300 |
| 20x20 Driveway (2-Car) | 400 | $1,600 – $3,200 |
| 24x24 Driveway (2-Car) | 576 | $2,300 – $4,600 |
| 24x36 Driveway (3-Car) | 864 | $3,400 – $6,900 |
| 30x30 Driveway (3-Car) | 900 | $3,600 – $7,200 |
| 50’ Diameter circular driveway | 1,650 | $7,500 – $15,000 |
| 80’ Diameter circular driveway | 2,800 | $12,000 – $25,000 |
| 10x10 Driveway apron | 100 | $400 – $1,000 |
| 10x20 Driveway apron | 200 | $800 – $2,000 |
Labor makes up about 50% of the total cost.
Installation takes 1 to 3 days on average.
Lasts 30 to 40 years with proper maintenance.
Concrete driveway cost calculator
Enter the length and width of your driveway area in feet in the calculator below to estimate the cost to install a new driveway.
Cost to pour concrete driveway
The average cost to pour a 1,000 sq. ft. concrete driveway is $4,000 to $8,000 or $4 to $8 per square foot, depending on the size, shape, and decorative finishes. Small driveways may cost more per square foot because most concrete contractors have a minimum job price.
| Quality | Cost per square foot | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $4 – $8 |
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| Basic | $8 – $12 |
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| Mid-range | $12 – $18 |
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| High-end | $18 – $25 |
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Concrete driveway cost per square foot
A plain gray concrete driveway costs $4 to $8 per square foot.
Adding a stain, basic border, and broom-finish texture increases the price to $8 to $12 per square foot.
A stamped concrete driveway with multiple patterns, colors, decorative borders, and sealing costs $12 to $18 per square foot.
| Type | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Standard | $4 – $8 |
| Stained | $8 – $12 |
| Stamped | $12 – $18 |
Stamped concrete driveway cost
Stamped concrete driveways cost $12 to $18 per square foot, depending on the number of colors and patterns. Stamped concrete, also called patterned or textured concrete, replicates the look of stone, brick, or tile. Installers use a texturized mat to imprint a pattern directly into the surface.
Stained concrete driveway cost
Stained concrete driveways cost $8 to $12 per square foot. Stains penetrate the surface with a permanent color that doesn't chip or fade, and help create decorative patterns or borders. Acid-based stains are limited to earth tones, while water-based stains come in a wide variety of colors.
Polished concrete driveway cost
Experts recommend against using polished concrete for driveways because it's slippery when wet and requires extensive upkeep to maintain the polished sheen on outdoor surfaces. Sealing a color-stained concrete driveway gives the appearance of polished concrete.
Cost to replace concrete driveway
Concrete driveway replacement costs $5 to $13 per square foot or $2,100 to $6,100 on average. Driveway replacement includes the $500 to $1,500 cost to remove the old concrete driveway and haul away the debris, plus $1,600 to $4,600 for the new driveway installation.
| Factors | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Concrete driveway removal | $1 – $3 |
| Concrete and materials | $2 – $5 |
| Replacement labor | $2 – $5 |
| Total replacement cost | $5 – $13 |
*Standard driveway without design elements or patterns.
Remove old driveway
Removing an old driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot, including demolition and hauling away the debris. Removal costs depend on the size, conditions, disposal fees, and if the concrete is reinforced with rebar or wire mesh.
Concrete driveway apron cost
Concrete driveway aprons cost $4 to $10 per square foot or $1,000 to $1,600 on average for a two-car driveway. A concrete apron is an 8- to 10-foot long section of pavement where the driveway meets the public street, and typically spans the driveway's full width.
Many cities regulate driveway aprons as public access spaces. Before installing an apron, check local building codes to ensure the plans meet all requirements.
New concrete driveway cost factors
The cost to pave a new concrete driveway depends on the size, thickness, slope, colors, shape, design and decorative elements, materials, site prep, labor, location, and climate. Most concrete driveway estimates are priced by the square foot.
| Factor | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Install labor | $2 – $4 |
| Concrete | $2 – $3 |
| Excavation | $1 – $5 |
| Grading and site prep | $5 – $8 |
| Rebar | $1 – $3 |
| Stains, stamping, or patterns | $4 – $15 |
| Exposed aggregate or pebble finish | $1 – $3 |
| Decorative brick borders | $10 – $25 |
| Heated driveway system | $12 – $28 |
| Circular shape | $0.50 – $2.00 |
| Sealing | $0.50 – $2.50 |
Labor & material cost to pave concrete driveway
Labor costs to pave a concrete driveway are $2 to $4 per square foot or 50% of the total cost. Other cost factors include:
Concrete prices are $2 to $3 per square foot for materials for a standard 4" thick driveway. A 5" thickness supports heavier vehicles like RVs but increases material costs by 20%.
Rebar costs $0.20 to $1.40 per linear foot or $1 to $3 per square foot installed, depending on the thickness and grade. Steel rebar embedded within the concrete mix strengthens the driveway to minimize cracks.
Excavation costs $1 to $5 per square foot to remove plants, soil, and small trees from the driveway site.
Yard leveling and grading costs $5 to $8 per square foot and ensures the sub-base below the concrete is stable and the driveway allows water to drain correctly. Costs increase for heavily sloped sites.
Concrete driveway design and shape
Designs with colored stains, stamped patterns, or stencils add $4 to $15 per square foot, depending on the style.
A circular concrete driveway costs $5 to $15 per square foot or 10% to 20% more than a rectangular driveway because it requires more labor to build curved forms and has a 15-foot minimum recommended width.
Borders featuring stone or brick pavers cost $10 to $25 per square foot.
Exposed aggregate or a seeded pebble finish adds $1 to $3 per square foot to the driveway cost.
Additional costs and features
A heated driveway systems costs $13 to $28 per square foot, including the concrete surface. Heated systems are installed below the concrete and melt ice and snow.
Driveway sealing costs $1 to $2 per square foot, depending on the number of coats. Sealing it yourself costs $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot for materials. Sealers protect the driveway's surface and preserve its appearance.
Concrete curbing costs $5 to $18 per linear foot. Curbing creates a border along the driveway to separate it from the landscaping, preventing soil from washing onto the concrete in the rain.
Concrete driveway permit
A concrete driveway permit costs $50 to $200, depending on location. Most cities require a permit for new driveway installations but may waive the fee if there's already a paved apron connecting the property to a public street.
Cement driveway cost by location
Cement driveway prices are higher than the national average in major metropolitan areas. Time of year may also affect the cost, depending on the region and climate.
| City, State | Average cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $4.50 – $9.00 |
| Boston, MA | $5.50 – $11.00 |
| Chicago, IL | $5.00 – $9.25 |
| Cleveland, OH | $4.00 – $8.25 |
| Dallas, TX | $4.25 – $8.50 |
| Denver, CO | $4.50 – $8.75 |
| Houston, TX | $5.00 – $9.00 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $4.00 – $8.50 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $4.50 – $8.75 |
| Miami, FL | $4.00 – $8.00 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $4.50 – $9.00 |
| Nashville, TN | $4.00 – $8.25 |
| New York, NY | $6.00 – $12.00 |
| San Diego, CA | $4.50 – $8.75 |
| Seattle, WA | $4.50 – $9.00 |
Repair or redo cement driveway costs
Concrete driveway repair costs $300 to $3,000 on average. Redoing a concrete driveway may include fixing cracks, resurfacing, replacing sections, or leveling.
Hire a structural engineer to inspect major cracks and damage to determine the underlying cause before making repairs.
| Project | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Filling shallow cracks (DIY) | $10 – $20 |
| Resurfacing | $3 – $7 per square foot |
| Extending or expanding | $5 – $20 per square foot |
| Leveling | $3 – $6 per square foot |
| Pressure washing | $155 – $190 |
Concrete driveway resurfacing
Concrete driveway resurfacing costs $3 to $7 per square foot on average or $1,800 to $4,200 for a two-car (600 SF) driveway. Resurfacing involves scraping off the driveway's top layer and overlaying it with new concrete, giving the look of a new driveway at a lower cost.
Concrete driveway extension cost
A concrete driveway extension costs $5 to $20 per square foot or $1,000 to $4,000 per parking space. The total cost depends on the size of the expansion and if decorative elements are added.
When expanding a driveway, the new concrete's color may not match the existing driveway due to fading and weathering.
Concrete driveway leveling
Concrete leveling costs $600 to $1,200 to lift a small section or $1,400 to $2,700 to level an entire driveway.
Concrete vs. asphalt driveway cost
Asphalt driveways cost $2 to $4 per square foot compared to $4 to $8 per square foot for concrete driveways. However, asphalt is less durable, requires more maintenance, and isn't available in different colors or patterns.
| Factors | Asphalt | Concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $2 – $4 per square foot | $4 – $8 per square foot |
| Lasts | 15 to 30 years | 30 to 40 years |
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Driveway pavers cost $10 to $30 per square foot. Pavers are cheaper to maintain than a concrete mix and last up to 75 years.
A gravel driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot and lasts for up to 100 years. All driveway types require removing existing surfaces and installing a gravel base.
DIY concrete driveway cost
A DIY concrete driveway costs $2 to $3 per square foot for plain concrete without stamping or staining, plus $200 to $500 for driveway materials such as concrete forms and wire mesh or rebar.
Pouring a new concrete driveway is a complex job that requires special tools and experience. Most homeowners are better off hiring a pro.
How to build a concrete driveway
Building a concrete driveway requires special tools and expertise about how to grade and level the sub-base, install concrete forms, add rebar for reinforcement, place expansion joints to minimize cracking, and finish the surface. Correct timing is critical due to how quickly concrete dries.
Excavate the driveway site. If replacing an existing driveway with a new one, break up and remove the old cement.
Level and grade the area for proper drainage.
Build and install forms to hold the wet concrete in place.
Spread a sub-base of gravel at least 4" thick and tamp it down.
Insert a rebar grid or metal mesh for reinforcement.
Pour concrete into the forms, spreading it evenly into each corner.
Level and smooth the concrete, then use a wood or magnesium hand float to give it an even smoother surface.
Cut control joints to create individual sections to prevent the slab from cracking.
Spray an acrylic sealer to protect the concrete from spalling and scaling.
Cure the concrete by spraying it down with water every day for at least one week.
Concrete driveway FAQs
How much does a concrete driveway cost per yard?
A basic concrete driveway costs $35 to $100 per yard on average. High-end concrete driveways with decorative elements, designs, stains, and borders cost $160 to $225 per cubic yard.
How long does it take to pour a concrete driveway?
Pouring a concrete driveway takes 1 to 3 days on average. Excavation or old driveway removal adds 1 to 2 days. Driveway size, shape, and site conditions affect the total pouring time.
How long before I can drive on a new concrete driveway?
A new concrete driveway takes 24 to 48 hours to cure enough to walk on and 7 to 10 days before the concrete is dry enough to drive on or park a passenger car. Wait 30 days before parking heavier vehicles like large pickup trucks or RVs.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
Concrete driveways last 30 to 40 years with proper maintenance. Exposure to freezing temperatures, extreme weather elements, and road salts reduces the driveway's lifespan. Pressure washing a driveway every few years helps it last longer.
How thick should a residential concrete driveway be?
A residential concrete driveway should be 4 inches thick to hold standard passenger cars. A thickness of 5 to 6 inches increases the load-bearing capacity by 50% and is recommended for heavier vehicles or RVs.
What strength or grade of concrete for a driveway?
The recommended concrete strength for residential driveways is 3,000 to 4,500 PSI. Experts recommend a higher grade of 5,000 to 6,000 PSI for driveways used by large vehicles and heavy equipment. Higher PSI concrete is stronger and more durable.
Does a concrete driveway increase home value?
Adding a concrete driveway increases a home's value and curb appeal. If most homes in the neighborhood have gravel driveways, a concrete driveway sets a house apart, increasing its value. If other homes have paved driveways, replacing a gravel driveway with concrete increases the value.
Does a concrete driveway increase property taxes?
Adding a new concrete driveway is a permanent home improvement that increases property taxes. Tax amounts vary based on municipality.
Getting concrete driveway cost estimates
Before hiring a concrete driveway contractors and signing a contract, be sure to:
Get at least three estimates to compare.
Let professionals know you’re getting bids from multiple contractors, so they offer you their best competitive price.
Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide and Google.
Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for 5+ years.
Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Ask for a written contract and warranty.
Get a full breakdown of all costs involved.
Make sure the quote includes debris cleanup and removal.
Avoid making large payments upfront. Use a payment schedule for the work completed.
Questions to ask
How many concrete driveways have you installed?
Can I see a portfolio of your past driveway installations?
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
Who's the project manager, and will you use subcontractors?
How do you handle damages that happen on the job?
What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
What does your warranty policy include?
What is your payment schedule?