A concrete driveway costs an average of $6,400
Concrete driveways cost an average of $6,400, with average prices ranging from $2,700 to $14,500.
Most contractors charge by driveway size, ranging from $4 to $20 per square foot.
Your final concrete driveway price depends on the driveway’s size, location, design, and the concrete mix you choose.
Labor accounts for an average of 50% of the total price, costing $2 to $3 per square foot.
You can upgrade a concrete driveway with options like heating, decorative borders, rebar reinforcement, an apron, and annual sealing.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Installing a concrete driveway costs $6,400 on average, with most projects costing between $2,700 and $14,500 depending on scope and finish. Factors such as location, driveway size, and hiring a professional all influence the final price. Knowing these factors early lets you build a realistic budget and avoid surprises. Plan on spending roughly half of your budget on materials and equipment and the other half on labor.
Several key variables drive the final price of a concrete driveway. Here’s a closer look at the main concrete driveway cost factors.
Since concrete is sold by the square foot, a larger driveway will cost more. Expect to pay an average of $4 to $20 per square foot. For a 10-by-20-foot driveway (200 square feet), you’ll pay between $800 and $ 3,000, or an average of $1,900. For a 20-by-20-foot driveway (400 square feet), you’ll spend between $1,600 and $6,000, or $3,800 on average.
Thickness matters as much as surface area. Most residential driveways use a four‑inch slab, but adding depth means more concrete and a higher bill.
However, a six- or eight-inch thickness is desirable for those with heavy vehicles.
Your driveway doesn’t have to be a simple rectangle. Half‑circles, L‑shapes, or curved designs boost curb appeal but raise costs, especially on a slope.
Any shape beyond standard squares and rectangles requires contractors to build the forms specially, increasing the 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 estimates.
Concrete lasts longer than gravel or asphalt, but that durability comes at a higher upfront price. For comparison, even a high‑end gravel driveway tops out at $3,500, while concrete averages closer to $6,400. Concrete costs between $6 and $12 per square foot or $120 to $210 per cubic yard.
Installation prices fluctuate depending on the type of concrete you choose for your driveway project. The average cost of a concrete slab is $5,400, but prices can reach over $7,000 depending on the type and size. There are three main concrete designs for homeowners to choose from:
Concrete Type | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Plain | $6–$8 |
Stained | $18–$20 |
Stamped | $12–$18 |
Installing stamped concrete costs the most because it requires additional materials and labor to add patterns and texture to your driveway.
A plain finish costs an average of $6 to $8 per square foot. Upgrading to a broom, textured, or exposed‑aggregate finish adds traction and bumps the price to $8 to $12 per square foot. Skip glossy sealers outdoors—they can get slick when wet.
Plan on labor making up half of your bill, or an average of $3 to $10 per square foot. Crews need time to prep the site, set forms, place rebar, pour, finish, cure, and clean up.
Unless you are building a new home, contractors must remove the old driveway before pouring the new one. The cost includes splitting the concrete, removing it, and hauling it to a disposal facility. This process differs from standard site prep, so discuss driveway removal specifically if you need removal before installing your new driveway.
Where you live affects both labor rates and work schedules. In colder regions, crews often work against a shorter warm-weather window, which can drive prices higher than in sun-belt states.
Concrete is tough, but it still needs upkeep. Rinse or pressure‑wash once a year, use sand (not salt) for winter traction, and re‑seal on schedule to stop moisture from creeping in. Pressure washing your driveway costs $80 to $220.
Driveway repairs cost between $3 and $25 per square foot, depending on the severity of the issue. Repair issues include fixing large cracks and replacing entire sections of the surface.
You can customize a driveway far beyond a simple slab. Each add-on below improves performance or curb appeal, and each one increases the price.
Installing a heated driveway costs between $3,000 and $8,700. It’s a great investment in cold climates and extends the driveway’s longevity. Installing a radiant heating system under the driveway also helps keep it safe during ice storms, snowstorms, and significant buildups of snow and ice.
Rebar and related features, such as wire mesh, add strength to the driveway, allowing for heavy loads and increased vehicle traffic. Rebar installation costs between $0.70 and $2.55 per linear foot, with an average of $1.40 per linear foot. When poured, rebar or wire mesh is applied as a grid inside the concrete, creating a reinforced surface that increases durability above and beyond traditional concrete designs.
Driveway aprons connect your property to the public roadway, which many local municipalities often require. Installing a driveway apron costs between $1,530 and $4,320. 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. Homeowners must also maintain their apron despite being classified as a public access space.
Sealing your driveway prevents cracks and increases the durability of the materials. Many contractors include sealing in the overall project quote, so talk to your contractor before accepting a bid.
Otherwise, sealing a driveway costs between $16 and $50 per gallon of concrete sealer, with each gallon covering 150 to 300 square feet. The sealant keeps moisture out of the cracks, protects the surface against extreme weather, and helps reduce the impacts of de-icing agents and other chemicals. Seal your driveway once a year for maximum durability.
Installing a concrete driveway can increase your home’s value, offering a 50% to 80% return on investment (ROI). Most homeowners receive a substantial return on their investment because a concrete driveway improves the home's curb appeal, attracting potential buyers. Many buyers consider a driveway an essential feature when shopping for a home, especially in areas with limited street parking space.
Labor and material prices swing widely, but these strategies can help keep your driveway project on budget:
Scheduling installation during the off-season to possibly receive discounts.
While installation should always be done by a professional, you can save on labor costs by doing some prep and cleanup work yourself.
Compare prices from at least three local concrete driveway contractors to find the most cost-effective option.
Opt for a budget-friendly concrete option, like standard gray, to reduce the cost of materials.
Avoid add-ons like heating and borders, which can significantly increase the price.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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.
Think of cement as the glue and concrete as the finished product. Cement is a powdered mix of heated limestone and clay. When you blend that powder with water, sand, and gravel, it hardens into concrete—the strong, durable material used for driveways, patios, and foundations. In other words, every concrete slab contains cement, but cement on its own isn’t strong enough for a driveway.
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 consumer.
Most residential driveways do fine with a four‑inch slab. If you’ll park heavy trucks or RVs, bumping up to six or even eight inches adds strength and wards off cracks. Thicker concrete costs more up front, but it can save you repair bills later by standing up to bigger loads and freeze‑thaw stress.
Concrete driveways and asphalt driveways differ in material composition and performance. A concrete driveway is engineered for lasting durability and versatile design options, while an asphalt driveway is more economical initially, yet demands increased maintenance over time. Concrete surfaces provide extensive aesthetic choices and an extended lifespan, making them a strong investment for high-traffic areas.
A concrete driveway endures for 25 to 30 years with proper maintenance and installation. A concrete driveway lasts long because its durable composition and robust construction provide excellent resistance to wear and weather. High-quality installation, regular cleaning, and timely sealing all contribute to extending its lifespan and maintaining performance over decades.