How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost? [2024 Data]

Concrete Driveway Cost Factors

In an ideal world, installing a driveway would be a straightforward project that doesn’t involve extra work, difficult terrain, or regrading. In reality, many factors can impact the total concrete driveway cost. Let's take a look at some of the common elements you need to be aware of and budget for when planning your new concrete driveway installation.

Driveway Size

Driveways often come in standard sizes, which may help you better estimate the costs. Although driveways come in all shapes and sizes, you may find that your driveway is one of the following standard sizes. Keep in mind that concrete costs from $4 to $15 per square foot. 

Project totals are often in the range of $2,340 and $7,500 (including removing existing concrete), but it’s not unusual to have projects cost up to $10,000, depending on the dimensions of the driveway.

Type of Concrete

In addition to concrete driveways that feature specialized stains and finishes, your contractor may recommend several types of concrete as well. Your climate and the weight requirements of the driveway will determine whether anything other than standard modern concrete is necessary. Your concrete driveway may also need to meet particular standards—down to the type of concrete and size of the aggregate—to pass inspection.

Concrete Finish

There are many types of driveways to choose from, especially when it comes to the concrete finish. The finish you choose has a significant impact on your cost per square foot. Plain, unadorned concrete costs roughly half the price of a high-end stamped finish. The price difference is due to the labor and skill required to finish a driveway. Here are some of the most common driveway finishes and their typical costs.

Other Cost Factors

• Driveway depth: The common thickness of a concrete driveway is 4 inches, but if you want your driveway to hold heavier vehicles, you may upgrade to a 6-inch depth. For hefty vehicles and multi-car families, you can always upgrade to an 8-inch depth. The deeper your driveway, the more expensive your project will be.

• Materials: The materials you use in your concrete driveway project also have a major effect on the total cost. You’ll need lumber for framing the driveway, which can be very expensive. The type of sealant and subbase you use will also affect how much you end up paying. Concrete sealer costs between $16 and $50 per gallon, each of which covers between 150 and 300 square feet. Both sand and gravel subbases are common for concrete — you'll pay between $12 and $18 per cubic foot for the concrete subbase, not including the cost of delivery and labor

• Driveway apron costs: A concrete driveway apron costs $1,530 to $4,320. Driveway aprons may be tightly controlled by the regulations of your municipality, so check with your local building regulations office and your contractor before you start the project.

• Concrete: For bigger projects, like pouring a driveway, you’ll want to order concrete by the cubic yard.  Concrete costs between $6 and $12 per square foot, or $120 to $210 per cubic yard. The higher end of the price range may include imported aggregate with fine particles that aim to avoid common concrete problems such as cracking, settling, and concrete popouts.

• Rebar: Rebar costs an average of $1.40 per linear foot, or between $0.70 and $2.55 per linear foot not including labor.

• Heated system: The cost of a heated driveway ranges from $3,000 to $8,700, depending on the design. Portable mats, for example, cost about $1,600 a piece while permanent coils will cost far more.

• Site Preparation and Excavation: Before pouring a concrete driveway, you’ll need to check with your municipality to see if you need a permit for a concrete driveway. You’ll need the help of a local excavation company to dig out the area for your driveway and prep the site. If your driveway is steep, uniquely shaped, or unusually long, you'll need to hire an engineer to figure out the best options for grading and drainage. Hiring a local structural engineer typically costs $100 to $200 per hour.

• Replacement cost: Expect to pay between $2,340 and $7,500 to replace your existing driveway. Be sure to check with your contractor to see if their quote includes the full replacement fee so you don't get a surprise when it's time to pay.

Ongoing Concrete Driveway Costs

Concrete driveways can last up to 30 years without major repairs when looked after. However, you’ll still need to perform maintenance and repairs to ensure that.

Repairs

Both minor and major repairs will help you avoid replacing your concrete driveway in the long run. Concrete driveway repairs cost between $800 and $2,800 on average, but some small fixes can cost as little as $10 when you handle them yourself. Here are some common concrete driveway costs for repairs over time:

• Repairing concrete cracks: $0.10–$0.15 per linear foot

• Leveling: $2–$25 per square foot

• Resurfacing: $3–$5 per square foot

• Resealing: $0.10–$0.16 per square foot

• Installing mesh or rebar: $1–$3 per square foot

Maintenance and Cleaning

Ensuring your concrete driveway remains free of debris is one of the best ways to protect it from scratches, holes, and cracks, and stains. One to two times a year, powerwash your driveway to remove chemicals from deicing materials and from your car. Renting a power washing costs between $35 and $175 a day.

Other general maintenance tasks and costs are minimal but include pulling up weeds, filling in small cracks, or managing tree roots impeding your driveway.

Angi Tip

Always put on protective clothing before working with concrete, as it can cause chemical burns. Make sure to wear long sleeves, pants, waterproof gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask.

Danny Smith

Content Editor

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Install a Concrete Driveway

Labor makes up about half the cost of installing a new driveway, so if you do it yourself, you could save about $2 to $3 per square foot. But a new concrete driveway isn't a project you can successfully take on yourself unless you have all the right tools, knowledge, and experience. If you get it wrong, you'll have a lot of costly repairs to make — it’s often best to leave a driveway installation to a concrete professional. 

What to Ask a Pro When You Hire Them to Pour Your Driveway

Call a concrete driveway contractor near you who can help you plan the job and get it done so you can enjoy your new driveway. To prevent a tough situation and make sure you’re both protected in the transaction, consider asking the following questions:

• Do you have proof of insurance? A professional contractor should have no hesitation to show you this and answer any questions about the policy.

• Are you a member of any national trade organizations, such as the National Association of Home Builders? While not required to do a great job, this shows investment from the contractor and that they’re interested in best practices.

• Do you have references you can provide from former clients? This will allow you to talk to people who have worked with the contractor before and potentially see some of the work the contractor has completed. 

• How much have past jobs similar to this one cost? By asking this question you can get a better idea of the rate range you’re being quoted and what the final product included.

• What’s your typical turnaround time for a project like this one? While they may not be able to give you an exact date that your project will be complete, this can help you set your expectations.

• What potential issues could you run into that may increase the cost mid-project? You can budget for potential extra costs if you’re aware of them from the beginning. 

“Ask for photos of work completed similar to your scope, then ask to see the work in person,” says Expert Review Board Member Matt DiBara of DiBara Masonry. “This avoids the risk of being shown photos of work that wasn’t done by the contractor and helps build more trust.”

Common Concrete Driveway Add-Ons

How much you pay for your concrete driveway depends on the existing land and the type of concrete driveway you have in mind. Below are some common additional costs and some projects to consider.

• Paver Border: $8-$50 per sq. ft.

• Security Gate: $1,000-$6,500

• Professional Landscaper: $50-$100 per hour

How to Save Money on Concrete Driveway Costs

Since concrete driveway costs can vary so widely, it's best to work with a professional to know all your options. Whenever possible, keep your driveway to the average 4-inch depth without adding special features such as rebar, drainage, or decorative finishes. That being said, be sure to weigh both the upfront and long-term costs, as some of these extras can prolong your driveway's life span. 

Some additional tips for lowering concrete driveway prices include:

• Installing your concrete driveway outside of the high season (the spring and summer) whenever possible

• Talking with at least three concrete contractors to compare costs, warranties, and reviews

• Handling all preparation, cleanup, and landscaping yourself

• Laying your driveway on level ground whenever possible to avoid the cost of regrading the land

• Improving your yard's drainage to protect your concrete driveway from wear and tear