A concrete driveway costs an average of $2,700 to $14,500, with most homeowners paying around $6,400, depending on the size, finish, and cost of materials.
The average concrete driveway costs $6,400, but you can pay anywhere from $800 to $32,000, averaging between $4 and $20 per square foot. Your project cost depends on the driveway size, contractor costs, type of concrete, location, and more. Concrete driveways are durable and long-lasting and can be a good investment in your home. Use our guide to learn which factors affect the cost of a concrete driveway and everything you need to know about this project’s cost.
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 driveways cost between $4 and $20 per square foot.
Project totals are often in the range of $2,700 to $14,500 (including removing existing concrete), but it’s not unusual to have projects cost up to $20,000 or more, depending on the dimensions of the driveway.
Driveway Size (Ft.) | Cost Range | Average Cost |
---|---|---|
10-by-20 (200 sq. ft.) | $800–$3,000 | $1,900 |
12-by-24 ft. (288 sq. ft.) | $1,200–$4,300 | $2,800 |
20-by-20 (400 sq. ft) | $1,600–$6,000 | $3,800 |
24-by-24 (576 sq. ft) | $2,300–$8,600 | $5,400 |
24-by-36 (864 sq. ft) | $3,500–$13,000 | $8,200 |
The cost of labor accounts for about half of your total concrete driveway project cost, or around $2 to $10 per square foot. Expect to pay additional labor costs if you have an old driveway that needs to be removed, if you’re pouring concrete over asphalt, if the site needs extensive leveling and preparation, or if you choose a premium finish.
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. A crushed concrete driveway is budget-friendly, but you’ll be sacrificing the strength, smooth finish, and polished aesthetics other types of concrete offer.
Type of Concrete | Cost per Cubic Yard |
---|---|
All-purpose | $120–$170 |
Shotcrete | $125–$195 |
High-strength | $160–$210 |
Modern | $175–$195 |
Self-consolidating | $195–$215 |
Limecrete | $200–$210 |
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 standard costs.
Finish | Cost Range per Sq. Ft. | Average Cost |
---|---|---|
Plain | $6–$8 | $7 |
Broom Finished | $8–$12 | $10 |
Textured | $8–$12 | $10 |
Colored | $8–$12 | $10 |
Exposed Aggregate | $8–$12 | $10 |
Polished | $8–$12 | $10 |
Salt Finish | $8–$12 | $10 |
Slate | $12–$18 | $15 |
Stamped | $12–$18 | $15 |
Imprinted | $12–$18 | $15 |
Saw Cut | $18–$20 | $19 |
Stained | $18–$20 | $19 |
Where you live can affect how much you’ll pay for a concrete driveway. Costs may be higher in urban areas, but homeowners in remote locations may pay more as well if materials and equipment need to travel long distances or to difficult-to-access areas. Keep in mind that the weather in your area can affect the project as well—winter isn’t the best time to pour concrete in many areas. Below are some average concrete driveway costs for a 600-square-foot driveway.
Location | Average Concrete Driveway Cost |
---|---|
New York, NY | $5,400–$12,000 |
Los Angeles, CA | $7,200–$13,200 |
Indianapolis, IN | $3,000–$7,800 |
Nashville, TN | $3,600–$7,200 |
Providence, RI | $4,200–$8,400 |
Cleveland, OH | $3,600–$6,600 |
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 to frame 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–$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–$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–$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 normally costs $100–$200 per hour.
Replacing a concrete driveway can cost between $6 and $20 per square foot, while concrete driveway repairs average $3 to $25 per square foot, depending on the type and extent of the damage. A driveway with minor surface damage can be easily repaired to extend its life, but for extensive damage, a replacement may be the safer and more cost-effective route to take. Consult with a local concrete driveway pro to find out if your driveway needs to be repaired or replaced.
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.
Labor makes up about half the cost of installing a new driveway, so if you do it yourself, you could save about $3 to $10 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. Unlike a gravel driveway, a concrete driveway requires specialized equipment and techniques to ensure it’s installed correctly. 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.
“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.”
A concrete driveway can increase your home’s value, offering a 50% to 80% return on investment (ROI). Concrete driveways have a long lifespan and can endure regular heavy use—they also look great. All of these benefits make a concrete driveway an enticing feature for prospective buyers.
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
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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It’s important to protect your investment in your project by hiring a reputable contractor. First, make sure they’re insured and with a licensed company. Get referrals by asking friends and neighbors who were happy with their finished products.
While you may initially think it’s more affordable to use an independent contractor or friend of a friend, you might benefit in the long run from working with an experienced contractor who can take the job entirely off your hands. Hiring a concrete driveway contractor takes a bit of upfront research.
A concrete driveway lasts between 25 and 30 years on average, and that's only with proper maintenance. The longevity of a concrete driveway also depends on the method and quality of installation, as well as your local climate. If your driveway gets a lot of wear and tear from several vehicles—especially heavy ones like trucks and RVs—your driveway will last less than the typical 25- to 30-year life span.
Building a concrete driveway normally takes between one and three days, including the time to cure the concrete. Wait at least seven days before driving on your driveway and two days before walking on it. Your contractor may require additional time if you need to level the ground, install a drainage system, or order special concrete materials. Installing a driveway also often requires a permit, so be sure to include this wait into your prep time as well.