How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?
Part of Concrete & Masonry
Quick answer
A plain concrete driveway costs about $6–$18 per square foot installed (US national average, as of June 2026) — roughly $3,600–$10,800 for a typical two-car driveway of about 600 ft². Plain gray is cheapest; broom, exposed-aggregate, colored and stamped finishes add to it. The concrete itself runs $125–$165 per cubic yard; most of the rest is base prep and labor.
A driveway's price is set by its size, its thickness, and the finish. Concrete is sold by the cubic yard, but driveways are quoted per square foot installed because that bundles the concrete, the gravel base, reinforcement, forming and finishing labor into one number.
Installed cost by finish
| Finish | Installed cost per ft² |
|---|---|
| Plain gray (broom finish) | $6–$10 |
| Colored / integral pigment | $8–$12 |
| Exposed aggregate | $10–$15 |
| Stamped / decorative | $12–$18 |
Typical total by driveway size (plain)
| Driveway | Approx. area | Estimated installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 car | 300 ft² | $1,800–$5,400 |
| 2 car | 600 ft² | $3,600–$10,800 |
| 3 car | 900 ft² | $5,400–$16,200 |
What goes into the price
- Concrete: $125–$165 per cubic yard delivered, 4–6 inches thick (driveways need 5–6 in for vehicles).
- Gravel base: a compacted sub-base to prevent cracking and settling.
- Reinforcement: rebar or wire mesh for strength.
- Labor: forming, pouring, finishing and control joints — usually the biggest line.
- Extras: tear-out of an old driveway, slope/drainage work, and decorative finishes.
To estimate your own: get the cubic yards from the concrete calculator (area × thickness), price the concrete at your local per-yard rate, then add base, reinforcement and labor — or just multiply the area by a per-ft² figure above. Source: US national average installed-cost references. Last verified: June 2026.
FAQs
How much does a 2-car concrete driveway cost?
A two-car driveway is about 600 ft². At $6–$18 per square foot installed that's roughly $3,600–$10,800, depending on finish, thickness and site prep.
Is a concrete driveway cheaper than asphalt?
Asphalt is usually cheaper to install, but concrete lasts longer (30+ years vs. 15–20) and needs less maintenance, so concrete often wins over the driveway's life.
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
Four inches is the minimum for cars; step up to 5–6 inches where trucks, RVs or heavy equipment park. A thicker slab and a compacted base are what prevent cracking.