Concrete Driveway Cost: Price Ranges and Per Square Foot Rates
Forbes Home gives a national average range of $2,100 to $7,800 for installing a concrete driveway. That is an installed total for the whole job, so it suits homeowners who want one figure for a new driveway. Rates per square foot shift with the finish, and the table below shows how far they range.
Concrete driveway cost breakdown
The sources use different units, so each row keeps its own basis.
| Type | Basis | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard concrete driveway | Installed average, per square foot | $6 to $10 | HomeGuide |
| Broom finish | Range, per square foot | $8 to $12 | Fixr |
| Stamped | Average, per square foot | $12 to $18 | Fixr |
| Mid-range decorative stamped | Installed, per square foot | $15 to $20 | HomeGuide |
| Saw cut | Average, per square foot | $18 to $20 | Fixr |
| Elaborate driveway | Range, per square foot | $8 to $18 | Bob Vila |
| Heated driveway | Average, per square foot | $12 to $25 | Bob Vila |
| Whole driveway | National average range, installed | $2,100 to $7,800 | Forbes Home |
| 30-by-30-foot slab (driveway, garage floor or patio) | Average, total | $3,600 to $7,200 | This Old House |
HomeGuide’s standard range is narrower than the HomeAdvisor range that Bob Vila cites. Bob Vila quotes HomeAdvisor at $4 to $15 per square foot, covering materials and labor on a standard install, while HomeGuide gives $6 to $10 installed on average. Forbes Home’s figure covers the whole driveway, so it cannot be turned into a per square foot rate without knowing the size.
Labor vs. materials
HomeGuide puts professional installation labor at $3 to $7 per square foot, depending on job complexity and region. Forbes Home gives poured concrete materials alone at $3 to $5 per square foot. For concrete by volume, Forbes Home lists $120 to $160 per cubic yard, while This Old House gives $113 to $126 per cubic yard for 4-inch-thick concrete, where one cubic yard covers 81 square feet.
Bob Vila puts labor at 40 percent of what a concrete driveway costs. Fixr prices the labor for building the forms, raking and settling the concrete, and taking the forms down after curing at $1.50 to $2 per square foot.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Doing the work yourself removes the labor line from the price, but the pour has to be raked, leveled and finished before it sets. That takes timing, a level base and the right tools, and the surface is hard to change once it sets.
Removing an old slab and grading the base involve digging and heavy equipment, so a licensed pro may be required for that stage. Check with your local building office before you start, since a permit may be required for driveway work.
Extras that change the total
HomeGuide’s average for tearing out an old driveway is $2 to $6 per square foot. It also treats steel rebar as an add-on linked to crack resistance in freeze-thaw climates.
Bob Vila says an apron costs $3 to $10 per square foot when none exists, and Forbes Home gives brick or paver borders at $6 to $15 per linear foot.
Fixr puts heating a concrete driveway at $5,000 to $10,000 installed, depending on size. For sealing, Bob Vila lists $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot, and Forbes Home’s sealing range is wider.
Ways to save
- Compare several written bids that use the same square footage and finish, so the totals line up.
- Ask which add-ons are already in each bid. The sources above treat removal, rebar, aprons and sealing as added costs.
- Consider the finish. Standard and broom finishes sit lower in the table, while stamped and saw cut sit higher.
- Clear the driveway area and access path before the contractor visits, so every bid is measured on the same site.
How to get an accurate quote
Ask each contractor for the total price, the price per square foot, and the square footage the bid uses. Then check that the quote lists these items as separate lines:
- Removal of any old driveway
- Slab thickness, since This Old House’s per cubic yard figure is for a 4-inch-thick slab
- Reinforcement such as rebar
- Apron, border and finish type
- Sealing and any heating
- Permit fees and cleanup
Separate lines make it easier to compare two bids on the same scope. For other outdoor projects, see the outdoor cost guides.
What changes the price
- Finish type, from standard and broom to stamped, saw cut and heated
- Job complexity and region, which HomeGuide says shape labor rates
- Removal of an old driveway before the new pour
- Steel rebar reinforcement, especially in freeze-thaw climates
- Whether an apron already exists
- Brick or paver borders, priced by the linear foot
Frequently asked questions
Can I pour a concrete driveway myself?
It is possible, but local rules may require a permit before any digging starts.
How do I measure my driveway for a quote?
Multiply length by width for each section, add the results, and give every contractor that same total.
Is steel rebar an extra charge?
HomeGuide treats it as an add-on at $1 to $3 per square foot, so ask whether each bid already includes reinforcement.
Sources
Related cost guides
Figures are estimates based on the sources above and vary by region, home and contractor. Get at least three written quotes before you hire. See our disclaimer and how we research.