How this calculator works
A driveway is the hardest-working slab on the property — it carries cars daily and apologizes for nothing. This tool prices it by the two choices that matter: how big and how dressed-up.
The spec ladder
Standard 4-inch broom finish is the default and what the low end of quotes describes. Thickened/reinforced (5–6 inches with steel) is the upgrade for trucks and RVs — a modest premium for a driveway that doesn’t crack under weight. Exposed aggregate buys traction and looks; stamped or colored concrete is the decorative top tier, where you’re paying for color hardener, stamping labor, and periodic resealing.
What quotes hide
The ranges here include grading, forms, base, and joints — but not tearing out an existing driveway, which adds $2–$6 per square foot and is the most common “why is this quote higher?” answer. Slope, curves, and pump-truck access also nudge price. Control joints are non-negotiable: concrete will crack, and joints are how pros decide where.
DIY honesty
A driveway is among the least DIY-friendly concrete pours — large area, one shot, heavy finishing under time pressure. The DIY toggle shows materials for completeness, but for anything beyond a short single pad, the crew earns its share. Pricing a backyard slab instead? That’s the concrete slab calculator — or compare asphalt for the same footprint.
2026 installed concrete driveway cost per square foot
Installed prices include grading, forms, base, reinforcement, pour, and finish. Tearing out an old driveway first adds $2–$6 per square foot.
| Option | Low (per sq ft) | High (per sq ft) | Typical (per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard broom finish (4 in) | $6 | $12 | $9 |
| Thickened / reinforced (5–6 in) | $8 | $16 | $11 |
| Exposed aggregate | $8 | $18 | $13 |
| Stamped / colored | $12 | $24 | $16 |
Estimated cost by state
Typical installed range for a 480 sq ft standard concrete driveway, installed, adjusted by each state's construction cost index. Your actual project scales with the size and options you enter above.
| State | Estimated low | Estimated high |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,477 | $4,954 |
| Alaska | $3,312 | $6,624 |
| Arizona | $2,765 | $5,530 |
| Arkansas | $2,534 | $5,069 |
| California | $3,226 | $6,451 |
| Colorado | $2,822 | $5,645 |
| Connecticut | $3,082 | $6,163 |
| Delaware | $2,765 | $5,530 |
| District of Columbia | $2,880 | $5,760 |
| Florida | $2,678 | $5,357 |
| Georgia | $2,592 | $5,184 |
| Hawaii | $3,686 | $7,373 |
| Idaho | $2,794 | $5,587 |
| Illinois | $3,312 | $6,624 |
| Indiana | $2,938 | $5,875 |
| Iowa | $2,880 | $5,760 |
| Kansas | $2,707 | $5,414 |
| Kentucky | $2,707 | $5,414 |
| Louisiana | $2,621 | $5,242 |
| Maine | $2,765 | $5,530 |
| Maryland | $2,765 | $5,530 |
| Massachusetts | $3,398 | $6,797 |
| Michigan | $2,909 | $5,818 |
| Minnesota | $3,226 | $6,451 |
| Mississippi | $2,563 | $5,126 |
| Missouri | $3,110 | $6,221 |
| Montana | $2,880 | $5,760 |
| Nebraska | $2,765 | $5,530 |
| Nevada | $2,938 | $5,875 |
| New Hampshire | $2,880 | $5,760 |
| New Jersey | $3,398 | $6,797 |
| New Mexico | $2,592 | $5,184 |
| New York | $3,168 | $6,336 |
| North Carolina | $2,678 | $5,357 |
| North Dakota | $2,909 | $5,818 |
| Ohio | $3,053 | $6,106 |
| Oklahoma | $2,650 | $5,299 |
| Oregon | $2,995 | $5,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,938 | $5,875 |
| Rhode Island | $3,139 | $6,278 |
| South Carolina | $2,707 | $5,414 |
| South Dakota | $2,678 | $5,357 |
| Tennessee | $2,707 | $5,414 |
| Texas | $2,621 | $5,242 |
| Utah | $2,794 | $5,587 |
| Vermont | $2,851 | $5,702 |
| Virginia | $2,650 | $5,299 |
| Washington | $3,139 | $6,278 |
| West Virginia | $2,707 | $5,414 |
| Wisconsin | $3,053 | $6,106 |
| Wyoming | $2,707 | $5,414 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a concrete driveway cost in 2026?
Standard broom-finish concrete runs about $6–$12 per square foot installed, so a two-car 20×20 driveway lands around $2,400–$4,800 and a long single around $2,900–$5,800 before state adjustments. Decorative finishes climb from there.
How thick should a driveway slab be?
Four inches handles cars; five to six inches with rebar or mesh is the spec for trucks, RVs, or anything heavy. The thickened option costs roughly a third more and is cheap insurance compared to replacing a cracked slab — concrete only gets one chance to be thick enough.
What does removing the old driveway add?
Demolition and hauling typically add $2–$6 per square foot on top of these ranges — toward the high end when the old slab is reinforced or a machine can't reach it. It's worth getting the demo line-itemed in quotes, since access and slab thickness make it swing.
Concrete or asphalt driveway?
Concrete costs more upfront, lasts 30–40 years, and needs little care. Asphalt is cheaper to lay, friendlier in freeze-thaw climates, but wants sealing every few years and a shorter replacement cycle. Compare both with our asphalt driveway calculator — same size, side by side.
How long before I can drive on new concrete?
Keep cars off for at least 7 days — concrete reaches most of its strength in a week and full design strength around 28 days. Driving early is the cheapest way to buy permanent cracks. Foot traffic is fine after a day or two.
Disclaimer: Estimates are for planning only and reflect typical ranges, not quotes. Actual costs vary with site conditions, design complexity, local permits, and contractor availability. Pricing approach: national averages cross-referenced from public cost guides, adjusted by a state construction cost index — see our methodology.
Price data sources: HomeGuide, Concrete Driveway Cost (2026): standard $6–$10/sq ft; 4-in $6–$15, 6-in $8–$20; labor $3–$7 vs materials $3–$8; rebar +$1–$3; site prep/removal $2–$6 — https://homeguide.com/costs/concrete-driveway-cost; Concrete Network, Concrete Driveway Cost (2026): plain gray $5–$8/sq ft; basic decorative $8–$14; mid-range stamped/multi-color $14–$21; high-end $21+ — https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/concrete_driveways/cost.html; Homewyse, Cost to Install Concrete Driveway (May 2026): $9.59–$11.78/sq ft for 4-in fibermesh 3500 PSI broom finish, excluding excavation and gravel base — https://www.homewyse.com/services/cost_to_install_concrete_driveway.html; Homewyse, Cost to Install Exposed Aggregate Driveway (May 2026): $13.52–$16.52/sq ft on the same exclusions — https://www.homewyse.com/services/cost_to_install_exposed_aggregate_driveway.html; HomeGuide, Exposed Aggregate Concrete Cost (2026): $7–$18/sq ft installed, about $2–$3/sq ft over plain concrete — https://homeguide.com/costs/exposed-aggregate-patio-cost; Angi, Concrete Driveway Cost (2026): $8–$20/sq ft installed, $1,600–$32,000 per project — https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-concrete-driveway-cost.htm. Last updated: September 2026.