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Concrete Driveway Cost Calculator

By Taro Schenker | Updated February 18, 2026

Quick Answer: A concrete driveway costs $6–$15 per square foot installed. A single-car driveway (400 sq ft) runs $2,500–$6,000. A double-car driveway (750 sq ft) costs $4,500–$11,000. Material runs $3–$8/sq ft for concrete plus reinforcement. Labor costs $1.30–$1.85/sq ft based on concrete finisher rates of $21.79–$30.73/hr nationally. Add $1,200–$2,850 for excavation, gravel base, forms, and equipment. Enter your ZIP for local pricing.

Calculate how much a concrete driveway costs. Select your driveway size, thickness/quality, and ZIP code to get a location-specific estimate with a full cost breakdown.

Concrete Driveway Cost by Size

Driveway TypeTypical SizeBasic (4")Mid-Range (5")Premium (6")
Single Car400 sq ft$2,500–$3,500$4,000–$5,500$6,000–$8,500
Double Car750 sq ft$4,200–$5,800$6,500–$9,500$10,000–$14,000
Long Driveway1,200 sq ft$6,500–$9,000$10,000–$14,500$15,500–$22,000

How Concrete Driveway Cost Is Calculated

Total = (Material + Labor + Fixed Costs) × 1.20 markup
  1. Concrete material: Area × $3–$8/sq ft depending on thickness and reinforcement. Includes concrete, fiber mesh or rebar, and finish materials (stamping, coloring).
  2. Labor: Area × 0.04 hr/sq ft × hourly rate × 1.5 burden. Concrete finishing requires skilled labor for grading, pouring, screeding, and troweling.
  3. Fixed costs: Excavation and grading ($400–$600), gravel sub-base ($300–$500), form building ($200–$350), equipment ($300–$400), decorative finishing ($0–$600), and sealing ($0–$400).
  4. Contractor markup: 20% for general contractor overhead, profit, and warranty.

Concrete vs Asphalt Driveways

FactorConcreteAsphalt
Installed Cost$6–$15/sq ft$3–$7/sq ft
Lifespan25–30+ years15–20 years
MaintenanceSeal every 2–3 yrs (optional)Sealcoat every 3–5 yrs (required)
AppearanceStamped, colored, exposed optionsBlack only
Best ClimateWarm regions (no softening)Cold regions (flexes)

Formula Summary

Concrete Driveway Cost Formula: Total installed cost includes concrete material, burdened labor, and fixed costs for site prep, multiplied by contractor markup.

Total = (A × M + A × 0.04 × R × 1.5 + F) × 1.20

where A = driveway area (sq ft), M = material cost/sq ft, R = hourly trade rate, 0.04 = labor hours per sq ft, 1.5 = labor burden, F = fixed costs, 1.20 = markup.

QualityMaterial $/sq ftFixed Costs
Basic (4" plain)$3$1,200
Mid-Range (5" + fiber)$5$1,950
Premium (6" + rebar + stamp)$8$2,850

Constants: Labor 0.04 hr/sq ft. Labor burden 1.5×. Contractor markup 20%. Fixed costs include excavation, gravel base, forms, equipment, finishing, and sealing. Trade: concrete finishers (SOC 47-2051). Rates from BLS OEWS May 2024, 393 metros.

Concrete Finishers Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)

Metro25th %ileMean75th %ile
New York$26.65$36.50$45.79
Los Angeles$26.81$34.90$40.62
Chicago$27.71$38.57$50.13
Dallas$20.88$23.39$25.73
Houston$19.00$22.95$24.20
Washington$21.57$26.08$29.22
Philadelphia$25.28$32.13$36.58
Miami$21.71$25.53$26.87
Atlanta$19.63$24.20$28.24
Phoenix$23.61$28.07$30.44

Need Material Quantities?

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Calculate exact cubic yards and bag counts for your concrete driveway.

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Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.

Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost?
A concrete driveway costs $6–$15 per square foot installed. A single-car driveway (400 sq ft) runs $2,500–$6,000. A double-car driveway (750 sq ft) costs $4,500–$11,000. Cost depends on thickness (4–6 inches), reinforcement (fiber mesh vs rebar), finish (plain vs stamped), and local labor rates. Excavation, gravel base, and forms add $1,200–$2,850 in fixed costs.
How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway per square foot?
Concrete driveway installation costs $6–$15 per square foot total. Material (concrete, rebar/mesh) runs $3–$8/sq ft. Labor adds $1.30–$1.85/sq ft. The remaining cost comes from fixed items: excavation ($400–$600), gravel base ($300–$500), forming ($200–$350), equipment ($300–$400), and finishing/sealing ($0–$1,000). Stamped or decorative concrete adds $2–$5/sq ft.
Is concrete cheaper than asphalt for a driveway?
No, concrete costs 50–100% more than asphalt upfront. Concrete runs $6–$15/sq ft vs asphalt at $3–$7/sq ft. However, concrete lasts 25–30+ years vs 15–20 years for asphalt, and needs less maintenance (no sealcoating). Over a 30-year lifespan, total cost of ownership is similar. Concrete is better in warm climates; asphalt handles freeze-thaw cycles better.
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
A residential concrete driveway should be 4 inches thick minimum for passenger cars, or 5–6 inches for trucks and SUVs. The gravel sub-base should be 4–6 inches of compacted aggregate. For heavy vehicles or soft soil, go with 6 inches of concrete and 8 inches of gravel base. Rebar reinforcement is recommended for 5–6 inch slabs.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
A properly installed concrete driveway lasts 25–30+ years. Key longevity factors: proper sub-base compaction, adequate thickness (4–6 inches), control joints every 8–12 feet, and sealing every 2–3 years. Freeze-thaw cycles, heavy vehicles, and tree root intrusion are the main causes of premature failure. Stamped and colored concrete may need resealing more frequently.
Can you pour concrete over an existing driveway?
Yes, you can pour a concrete overlay (2–3 inches) over existing concrete if it is structurally sound and level. Cost is $3–$6/sq ft since no excavation is needed. Overlays don't work well over cracked, heaving, or settling slabs — the cracks will reflect through. For asphalt-to-concrete conversion, the asphalt must be removed first ($1–$2/sq ft demo) before pouring new concrete.