How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?

Concrete Driveway Cost Calculator

Concrete Driveway Cost Factors

Many cost factors impact estimates when installing concrete driveways. Design, materials, labor prices, and the area and climate in which the installation occurs all play a vital role. Here’s a breakdown of various cost factors. 

Size

Your driveway’s size is an obvious cast factor here. Most homeowners pay $4 to $7 per square foot, with complex installations ballooning up to $15 per square foot. In other words, you’ll pay anywhere from $800 to $1,600 for a 10-by-20-foot, single-car driveway. 

For a larger, 24-by-24-square-foot driveway, you’ll pay an average cost of $2,300 to $4,600. Massive driveways necessitate more equipment, materials, and labor to complete the job. 

Thickness

The concrete driveway’s surface area impacts the price, but so does the overall thickness of the concrete itself. Most concrete driveways are four inches thick; this base thickness makes up most of the cost information. 

For those with heavy vehicles on their property, however, a six- or even eight-inch thickness is desirable. You’ll pay an increase of around 25% for an added two inches of depth and an increase of 50% for an added four inches of depth. 

Design and Shape

Not all concrete driveways are rectangles or squares. Depending on your exterior, a half-circle, L-shape, or another design is the best option. As a general rule, costs rise when adding more curves, instituting unique designs, or if the driveway sits on a slope. 

Any shape beyond standard squares and rectangles requires contractors to specially build the forms, which translates to an increase in price. However, the actual increase mostly depends on your installer and how long it takes to pour and set your preferred design. Make sure to mention design preferences as you gather up estimates. 

Types of Concrete

Installation prices fluctuate depending on what type of concrete you choose for your driveway project. There are three major concrete designs for modern homeowners:

Installing stamped concrete costs the most because it requires additional materials and labor to add patterns and texture to your driveway.

Finish

Most concrete driveways receive a plain finish at the point of installation, with a project cost of $6 to $8 per square foot. Other basic finishes, such as a broom finish, a textured finish, or an exposed aggregate finish, cost $8 to $12 per square foot. Most profs don’t recommend finished concrete driveways, as this type causes concrete driveways to become slippery when wet. 

Driveway Removal 

Unless you are building a brand new home, contractors have to remove the old driveway before pouring the new one. You’ll pay $1 to $4 per square foot for pre-existing driveway removal. The cost includes splitting up the concrete, removing it, and hauling it to a disposal facility. This process is different from standard site prep, so be sure to discuss driveway removal specifically if yours needs removal before installing your new driveway.

Site Prep 

If you are laying a driveway for the first time, it requires extra effort to prepare the site for pouring. Pros remove trees and rocks and level out the uneven ground, in addition to digging up and hauling away soil to achieve a proper grade. This type of land excavation and grading costs $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot, though is likely unnecessary for homeowners replacing an old driveway with a new one. 

Materials

The primary material used for concrete driveways is, well, concrete. This liquid concrete costs $3 to $4 per square foot. Though concrete driveways last longer than other types of driveways, they are more expensive. For instance, asphalt and gravel driveways max out at around $4,500 per project, whereas concrete driveways cost as much as $6,000 per project. 

Location

Location impacts driveway installation costs when compared to the national average, as do labor, inflation, and climate. For instance, homeowners in Milwaukee are forced into a quicker turnaround time when pouring concrete than homeowners in Phoenix. 

Some regions have climates that prevent year-round concrete driveway installations, causing demand and expenses to increase during the regular season. Generally speaking, urban areas boast higher labor rates than rural areas, impacting the overall cost of concrete driveway installation.

Concrete Driveway Add-Ons

Concrete driveways are more than just poured concrete; many designs offer plenty of helpful add-ons for modern homeowners, though each addition impacts the overall cost. 

Heating

Installing a heated driveway costs $1,300 to $7,500, or about $12 to $25 per square foot, including installation and a new surface. It’s also a great investment in cold climates that extends the driveway’s longevity. Additionally, installing a radiant heating system under the driveway helps keep it safe during ice storms, snowstorms, and significant buildups of snow and ice. 

Borders 

Many homeowners opt to add aesthetic flourishes to standard concrete driveways, such as brick or stone borders around the edges. Installing brick or stone borders to a concrete driveway costs $6 to $15 per linear foot, so you’ll pay more for larger projects. Most driveway contractors have experience with this type of project, but some outsource the procedure to a bricklayer. 

Rebar 

Rebar and related features, such as wire-mesh, add strength to the driveway, allowing for heavy loads and increased vehicle traffic. You’ll pay $1 to $3 per square foot to install rebar in a concrete driveway’s foundation. Rebar or wire mesh is applied as a grid inside of the concrete when poured, creating a reinforced surface that increases durability above and beyond traditional concrete designs. 

Apron

Driveway aprons connect your property to the public roadway, which many local municipalities often require. The cost to install a driveway apron ranges from $3 to $10 per square foot, with a typical length of 8 to 15 feet and a width matching the driveway itself. These aprons are public access spaces, so check with local authorities and your pro to ensure they build your apron in line with local code. Additionally, homeowners must maintain their apron, despite being classified as a public access space. 

Sealing

Sealing your driveway prevents cracks and increases the overall durability of the materials. Many contractors include sealing as part of the overall project quote, so talk to your contractor before accepting a bid. 

Otherwise, sealing a driveway costs $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot. The sealant keeps moisture out of the cracks, protects the surface against extreme weather, and helps reduce the impacts from de-icing agents and other chemicals. Seal your driveway once a year for maximum durability.

DIY Concrete Driveway Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

You’ll save money on labor by going the DIY route, paying just $3 to $4 per square foot for standard liquid concrete without any stamping or painting. However, installing a concrete driveway is a complex job that requires extensive experience and access to specialized equipment. Incorrect installations lead to foundational issues, shortened driveway lifespans, and significant repair and maintenance fees down the line. 

Additionally, extra tasks like pouring cement on a slope and removing existing surfaces increase the project's complexity. We do not recommend DIYing this project and strongly suggest hiring a local concrete contractor.

Labor

Labor costs account for around 40% of the overall price to install a concrete driveway, totaling $2 to $3 per square foot. This is a time-consuming process, as laborers prepare the site, build the specific concrete forms, install rebar and other add-ons, lay the concrete, smooth it out, cure it, and remove the forms. 

Repair and Maintenance Costs

Though durable and long-lasting, concrete driveways do require common maintenance tasks. Clean your driveway yearly and de-ice with sand during the winter months, opting for a pressure wash when needed. 

Pressure washing your driveway costs $80 to $220. Small cracks also form over time, but removing these cracks is a DIY-friendly process, costing just $0.10 to $0.15 per linear foot.

As for more serious repairs, you’ll need a pro. Driveway repairs cost $800 to $2,600, depending on the severity of the issue. Repair issues include fixing large cracks and replacing entire sections of the surface. 

Concrete vs. Asphalt Driveway

There are significant differences between concrete and asphalt driveways. Asphalt is slightly cheaper than concrete, at $7 to $13 per square foot, and offers a similar aesthetic to local roads, with concrete offering more aesthetic options. Concrete lasts longer, at 30 to 50 years, compared to 20 years for asphalt.

Both projects include a gravel base, and each material includes cement, rocks, and sand. Asphalt is unique in containing bitumen to bind it together, which also gives it that distinct black look.

FAQs

What's the difference between cement and concrete?

While many people use concrete and cement interchangeably, several differences between concrete and cement exist; they’re different materials altogether. Cement is made from limestone and clay, whereas concrete derives from rocks, sand, and water. Cement is a binding agent, and concrete is an actual building material.

Is it cheaper to concrete or pave?

The price to install an asphalt driveway is $7 to $13 per square foot, slightly less than concrete. However, asphalt requires more maintenance than concrete and does not last as long. This shortened lifespan and increased need for maintenance make concrete a more economical choice in the long term, but ultimately the choice is up to each individual consumer. 

How thick should a concrete driveway be?

The average thickness for a concrete driveway is four inches, though some prefer six or eight-inch driveways. Thicker driveways are better for multi-car households or for those with extremely heavy vehicles.