How much does a concrete driveway cost?

Concrete driveway cost

A concrete driveway costs $1,600 to $6,400 to install or $4 to $8 per square foot 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 when replacing.

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.

Average cost to install concrete driveway

The average cost to install a 2-car concrete driveway is $3,100, with prices ranging from $1,600 to $6,400.

*Based on 179 project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

• 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.

Cost to pour concrete driveway

The average cost to pour a 1,000 sq. ft. concrete driveway slab 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 installers have a minimum job price.

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.

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 concrete.

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.

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Cost to replace concrete driveway

Concrete driveway replacement costs $5 to $13 per square foot or $2,100 to $7,900 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 $6,400 for the new driveway installation.

*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.

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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.

Labor & material cost to pave concrete driveway

Labor costs to pave a concrete slab driveway are $2 to $4 per square foot or 50% of the total cost. Concrete prices are $2 to $3 per square foot for a standard 4-inch thick driveway. Increasing the thickness to 5 inches to support heavier vehicles like RVs increases material costs by 20%.

• 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.
• Rebar costs $0.20 to $1.40 per linear foot or $1 to $3 per square foot installed, depending on thickness and grade. Steel rebar embedded within the concrete mix strengthens the driveway to minimize cracks.

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

• Heated driveway systems cost $12 to $28 per square foot, plus the new concrete driveway cost. Heated systems are installed below the concrete and melt ice and snow.
• Concrete driveway sealing costs $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot, depending on the number of coats. Sealing it yourself costs $0.50 to $0.75 per square foot for materials. Sealers protect the driveway's surface and preserve its appearance.

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

In major cities or areas with a high cost of living, cement driveway prices are higher than the national average. Time of year may also affect the cost, depending on region and climate.

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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.

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, which gives 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. 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.

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Concrete vs. asphalt driveway cost

An asphalt driveway is cheaper than a concrete driveway but doesn't last as long. Asphalt driveways cost $2 to $4 per square foot compared to $4 to $8 per square foot for concrete driveways. Asphalt is less durable, requires more maintenance, and isn't available in different colors or patterns.

• Driveway pavers cost $10 to $30 per square foot, which is cheaper to maintain than a concrete mix and lasts up to 75 years.
• A gravel driveway costs $1 to $3 per square foot, which lasts for up to 100 years. All options require removing existing surfaces and installing a gravel base.

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DIY concrete driveway cost

A DIY concrete driveway costs $2 to $3 per square foot for the 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 concrete 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.

1. Excavate the driveway site. If replacing an existing driveway with a new one, break up and remove the old cement.
2. Level and grade the area for proper drainage.
3. Build and install forms to hold the wet concrete in place.
4. Spread a sub-base of gravel at least 4" thick and tamp it down.
5. Insert a rebar grid or metal mesh for reinforcement.
6. Pour concrete into the forms, spreading it evenly into each corner.
7. Level and smooth the concrete, then use a wood or magnesium hand float to give it an even smoother surface.
8. Cut control joints to create individual sections to prevent the slab from cracking.
9. Spray an acrylic sealer to protect the concrete from spalling and scaling.
10. Cure the concrete by spraying it down with water every day for at least one week.

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Frequently asked questions

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, not including excavation or old driveway removal, which adds 1 to 2 days. Driveway size, shape, and site conditions affect the total pouring time. After pouring, it takes one week before being able to drive on it.

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 on average 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. For heavier vehicles or RVs, a thickness of 5 to 6 inches is recommended, which increases the load-bearing capacity by 50%.

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.

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Getting concrete driveway cost estimates

Before hiring a concrete contractor 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, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for longer than five 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?

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