How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost in 2026?

Concrete Driveway Cost Breakdown

Let's cut through the BS. Here's what you're actually going to pay:

Driveway Type	Cost per Sq Ft	400 Sq Ft Total
Basic gray concrete	$6-$8	$2,400-$3,200
Broom finish (standard)	$8-$10	$3,200-$4,000
Stamped concrete	$12-$18	$4,800-$7,200
Exposed aggregate	$10-$15	$4,000-$6,000

What Affects Your Price

Not all driveways cost the same. Here's what drives your price up or down:

1. Size (Obviously)

A single-car driveway (200-300 sq ft) costs $1,500-$3,000. A double-wide (400-600 sq ft) runs $3,000-$6,000. Extended driveways or RV pads can hit $10,000+.

2. Thickness

Standard residential driveways are 4 inches thick. If you're parking heavy vehicles or RVs, go 5-6 inches. Each extra inch adds about $1 per square foot.

3. Removal of Old Driveway

Ripping out an existing concrete or asphalt driveway adds $1,000-$3,000. Gravel removal is cheaper at $500-$1,000.

4. Grading and Prep

If your land isn't level, expect $500-$2,500 for grading. Poor drainage? Add French drains for another $1,000-$2,000.

5. Decorative Options

Stamped patterns add $4-$8 per square foot. Integral color adds $2-$3. Exposed aggregate adds $3-$6. Staining after the pour runs $2-$4.

Concrete vs Asphalt vs Pavers

Here's the honest comparison:

Material	Cost/Sq Ft	Lifespan	Maintenance
Concrete	$6-$15	30+ years	Low
Asphalt	$4-$8	15-20 years	High (reseal every 3-5 yrs)
Pavers	$15-$30	25+ years	Medium
Gravel	$1-$3	Indefinite (with maintenance)	High

My take: Concrete wins on value. Yes, asphalt is cheaper upfront, but you'll reseal it every few years and replace it twice before your concrete driveway needs attention.

How to Save Money

Real tips, not the generic "get multiple quotes" advice:

• Book in fall or early spring - Contractors are hungrier for work. You might save 10-15%.
• Skip the fancy finishes - Broom finish looks clean and costs half of stamped.
• Keep it simple - Curves and angles cost more to form. Straight lines save money.
• Ask about leftover concrete - Some contractors offer discounts if they can pour your small job with leftover mix from a bigger project.
• Do your own demo - If you can rent a jackhammer and haul debris yourself, save $1,000+.

What's a 4000 PSI Concrete Driveway Cost?

4000 PSI concrete costs about $0.50-$1 more per square foot than standard 3000 PSI. For a 500 sq ft driveway, that's $250-$500 extra. Worth it if you park heavy vehicles or live where freeze-thaw cycles are brutal.

How Long Does a Concrete Driveway Last?

Properly installed: 30-50 years. The catch? "Properly installed" means good base prep, right thickness, control joints, and curing time. Cheap jobs crack in 5-10 years.

Is Concrete Cheaper Than Pavers?

Yes, significantly. Basic concrete runs $6-$10/sq ft while pavers start at $15-$20/sq ft. The gap closes if you go stamped concrete ($12-$18/sq ft), but plain concrete always wins on price.

Should I Get Stamped Concrete?

If looks matter to you, yes. Stamped concrete mimics brick, stone, or tile at half the cost of real pavers. Downside: harder to repair if it cracks. Sections don't match perfectly if you patch later.

Can I Pour My Own Driveway?

Technically yes, but I wouldn't recommend it. Concrete work looks simple but the timing is unforgiving. You have about 90 minutes to place, screed, float, and finish before it sets. Mess up and you're living with it for decades. Leave driveways to pros.

Key Takeaways

• Budget $6-$15 per square foot for a concrete driveway ($3,000-$10,000 total)
• Stamped or colored concrete adds $2-$5 per square foot
• Concrete lasts 30+ years vs 15-20 for asphalt
• Get quotes from 3-4 contractors minimum
• Don't skip proper base prep - it's where cheap jobs fail

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