Estimate the cost to pour a concrete driveway. Pick dimensions, thickness, finish, base prep, and reinforcement. 2026 data; not a contractor bid.
| Item | Quantity | Estimated range |
|---|
Got a contractor quote? Compare it to the planning range.
A standard 4-inch broom-finished concrete driveway runs $8–$15 per square foot installed:
| Driveway | Size | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single-car | 20 × 10 (200 sq ft) | $1,600 – $3,000 |
| Single + walk | ~400 sq ft | $3,200 – $6,000 |
| Double-wide | 40 × 20 (800 sq ft) | $6,400 – $12,000 |
Decorative finishes add to those figures — stamped concrete alone adds $6–$10 per sq ft.
A concrete driveway fails from what's under and inside it. The base — 4 inches of compacted gravel ($1.10–$1.85/sq ft), or 6 inches ($1.55–$2.65) over clay or for heavy vehicles — gives the slab uniform support so it doesn't settle and crack. Reinforcement ties it together: fiber admixture ($0.30–$0.55/sq ft) for light duty, welded wire mesh ($0.55–$0.95), or a rebar grid ($0.65–$1.10) for anything carrying vehicle weight. Add proper control joints, and a 4-inch slab (thicker for RVs or trucks) lasts decades. Skimping the base is the number-one reason a new driveway cracks in its first few winters.
A standard 4-inch broom-finished concrete driveway runs $8-$15 per square foot installed. A 20x10 single-car costs $1,600-$3,000; a 40x20 double-wide $6,400-$12,000. Stamped decorative finishes add $6-$10 per sq ft.
Concrete is 30-50% more expensive upfront but lasts 30-50 years and needs almost no maintenance. Asphalt is cheaper, faster to install, more forgiving in cold climates, but needs sealcoating every 2-3 years and lasts 20-30 years.
Most jurisdictions require a permit for new driveways or expansions, especially where the driveway connects to a public street (curb cut). Permits run $100-$250. Replacing in-kind sometimes does not need a permit.
Stamped concrete runs about $14-$25 per sq ft installed - a plain 4-inch driveway ($8-$15) plus a stamped-finish premium of $6-$10. A 600 sq ft driveway in stamped concrete is roughly $8,400-$15,000.
Four inches is standard for cars over a compacted gravel base. Go to 5-6 inches with a rebar grid for RVs, trucks, or trailers - the extra thickness and reinforcement prevent cracking under heavier loads.
For a driveway carrying vehicles, yes - a rebar grid ($0.65-$1.10 per sq ft) ties the slab together far better than wire mesh alone. Fiber-mix admixture is fine for light-duty flatwork but not a substitute under vehicle loads.
Concrete lasts 30-50 years vs asphalt 20-30. Concrete is roughly 30-50% more upfront but needs almost no maintenance; asphalt needs sealcoating every 2-3 years.
Foot traffic in 24-48 hours, light vehicles in 7 days, heavy vehicles or RVs in 28 days. Cure properly with curing compound or wet burlap to avoid surface cracking.
No. Asphalt flexes and concrete cracks; the bond fails. Always demo the old surface and start with proper base.
Stamped is one continuous slab, lower install cost but cracks show. Pavers are individual units, $5-$10/sf more, but cracks don't propagate and individual units can be replaced.
Yes — saw-cut control joints every 8-12 ft within 24 hours of pour. Without joints the slab cracks randomly.
