A new concrete driveway in 2026 runs about $8 to $21 per square foot installed — so a standard 2-car driveway (about 600 sq ft) lands between $4,800 and $12,600. Decorative finishes, thicker slabs, and removal of the old driveway push it higher. Here is the full breakdown.
Concrete driveway cost by finish (per sq ft installed)
- Plain / broom-finish concrete — $8 to $14 / sq ft
- Colored / integral pigment — $10 to $16 / sq ft
- Exposed aggregate — $10 to $26 / sq ft
- Stamped concrete — $12 to $30 / sq ft
- Gravel (for comparison) — $2 to $6 / sq ft
- Asphalt (for comparison) — $6 to $14 / sq ft
Total cost by driveway size (plain concrete)
- 1-car (12×24, 288 sq ft) — $2,300 to $4,000
- 2-car (20×30, 600 sq ft) — $4,800 to $8,400
- 3-car (30×30, 900 sq ft) — $7,200 to $12,600
- Long rural driveway (1,500 sq ft) — $12,000 to $21,000
What is included in the price
- Excavation & grading — $1–$3 / sq ft
- Gravel base & compaction — $1.50–$4 / sq ft
- Forms & rebar / wire mesh — reinforcement for crack resistance
- Concrete (4" slab standard, 5–6" for heavy vehicles)
- Finishing & control joints — to control cracking
- Sealer — recommended, $0.30–$1 / sq ft
What drives cost up
- Removing the old driveway — $3–$9 / sq ft of demo + haul-off
- Thickness — 6" slab for RVs/trucks adds 20–30%
- Slope & drainage — trench drains, culverts, retaining
- Decorative finish — stamping and staining can double the price
- Apron / approach permit — many cities require a permitted curb cut
How long does a concrete driveway last?
Properly installed and sealed, 25–30 years. Cure time before driving on it: 7 days for cars, 28 days for full strength (heavy vehicles).
How to quote a driveway accurately
Measure square footage, decide slab thickness, and itemize demo, base, reinforcement, concrete, finish, and sealer separately. A calculator that knows current concrete and labor rates gives you a defensible number on the spot.
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