Installing a new concrete driveway is done for many reasons, and whether you are installing it due to city ordinance, a new look, or to replace an old driveway, many factors influence the cost of this project. The size of your driveway, the state you live in, and who installs it for you are the three biggest components of driveway cost.
Nationwide, the average cost of installing a concrete driveway is $3,900. This estimate is for a 16′ x 40′ driveway- the size of your average 2-car driveway. Typical cost ranges from $1,800 – $6,000, but a driveway can cost over $11,000 with additives such as special colors, features, or textures.
If you want more information about the cost of your new driveway, continue reading. We have asked 35 people on online forums as well as a few contracting companies to get all the information you need about installing your very own concrete driveway.
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The Average Cost of a Concrete Driveway
The price of your driveway will vary greatly depending on the state you live in, the company you use, the time of year, the size of your driveway, and extra features you may add to your driveway.
According to homeadvisor.com, the nationwide average for a standard concrete driveway is $3,900. Most concrete driveways will cost between $8 and $18 per square foot, depending on what additives (if any) you want.
Concrete is the most popular driveway material because it can last upwards of 40 years with little to no maintenance, can be easily customized, and is an extremely affordable material.
While a basic concrete driveway works wonderfully and costs only $3,900, there are options for customization.
One popular option in cold regions is a heated driveway. These driveways can be installed with concrete, asphalt, chip seal, or pavers, but they are a bit pricier.
Heated driveways cost $7,200 to $15,000 but can be a lifesaver to those living in snowy areas as they prevent ice and make for an easier time shoveling.
Other driveway customizations like color, stenciling, and stamping add extra costs as well.
Coloring can add an extra $1-$5 per square foot and concrete driveways with decorative elements like stamping or stenciling can add anywhere from $6-$15 per square foot, depending on the intricacies of the design.
35 Real Life Examples of How Much a Concrete Driveway Cost
When starting a new home improvement project, it is always nice to hear the advice and experience of others who have done the same thing as you.
This is why I went to the internet to ask about real-life experiences that people across the United States have had installing a new concrete driveway.
| Size | Cost | State |
|---|---|---|
| 683 square feet | $5,400 | Idaho |
| 805 square feet | $9,400 | California |
| 603 square feet | $5,200 | Minnesota |
| 740 square feet | $6,480 | Texas |
| 640 square feet | $4,900 | Illinois |
| 854 square feet | $6,100 | California |
| 761 square feet | $6,000 | Tennessee |
| 534 square feet | $4,400 | Georgia |
| 500 square feet | $4,500 | Minnesota |
| 640 square feet | $5,450 | Wisconsin |
| 659 square feet | $5,800 | Rhode Island |
| 855 square feet | $6,500 | Texas |
| 968 square feet | $7,700 | Texas |
| 502 square feet | $5,450 | Virginia |
| 653 square feet | $5,700 | Ohio |
| 961 square feet | $8,100 | Minnesota |
| 755 square feet | $6,000 | Idaho |
| 711 square feet | $5,700 | Iowa |
| 719 square feet | $6,050 | Utah |
| 488 square feet | $4,500 | Florida |
| 793 square feet | $6,000 | California |
| 592 square feet | $4,300 | Kansas |
| 784 square feet | $7,000 | Minnesota |
| 649 square feet | $5,200 | Idaho |
| 539 square feet | $4,700 | Wisconsin |
| 486 square feet | $3,900 | Utah |
| 533 square feet | $4,500 | Alabama |
| 568 square feet | $4,400 | Nebraska |
| 872 square feet | $7,100 | Idaho |
| 1,014 square feet | $7,750 | Minnesota |
| 864 square feet | $6,650 | California |
| 665 square feet | $5,200 | Massachusets |
| 600 square feet | $4,500 | Washington |
| 823 square feet | $6,150 | Texas |
| 950 square feet | $6,900 | Arizona |
Related article: The Real Value of a Concrete Driveway (With examples)
Words From A Professional
Real-life examples are always extremely helpful, but it is important to ask professionals about the ins and outs of their craft when able.
Thankfully, I’ve already contacted a concrete contracting company and asked them a few questions that you should know the answers to before you start installing your new driveway.
Q: How much does a driveway installation cost?
A: Driveways are usually between $3,500-$5,000. But that’s a difficult question to answer since every company is different.
Q: How long does a driveway installation take?
A: Driveways usually take between 1-3 days to install. It depends on how sloped your driveway is, how large or small it is, and how difficult the working conditions are.
Q: How long before a new driveway can be used?
A: You can start walking on the concrete within 2-3 days after the installation. You should wait about a week before any vehicles or heavy objects are set on the concrete.
Q: How much does a driveway removal cost?
A: Concrete removal usually costs between $2,000-$5,000. It’s cheaper to get your driveway repaired than removed and redone. The cost of fixing cracks in the driveway is lower, as well as resurfacing your driveway.
Is a DIY Installation of a Concrete Driveway Worth it?
If you are looking to install a driveway by yourself, it can be done, but it is very important that you measure the risks against the rewards before you start this difficult project by yourself.
Read more: Driveway Installation: Is it DIY-able? Will you regret it?
Rewards
- Installing a concrete driveway on your own is cheaper than using a contractor (up to 50% less).
- You will have a new skill once you are finished.
- The installation will happen on your timetable.
- You can customize your driveway however you please.
- You do not need to worry about being unhappy with the work you pay for.
Risks With a DIY Concrete Driveway
- Installation is difficult and it is very easy to injure yourself.
- The installation will take upwards of 50 hours of your time.
- You may use the wrong equipment or materials, or you may not have access to them.
- Concrete work tools can be expensive if you do not own it.
- You may install a driveway that doesn’t meet your city or HOA code (contractors do not run into this issue as they know the rules for the area they work in).
- You risk getting fined for working with or installing a driveway without the proper permit or licensing.
- If you install your driveway wrong you will have to pay for professional removal as well as professional installation, likely tripling the original cost of a driveway.
Driveway installation is a complex task that requires extensive knowledge of the city/HOA codes, concrete as a material, and how to build a driveway correctly.
Though DIY driveway installation may be cheaper, it is often not worth the risks it comes with.
Elements such as removing preexisting materials, adding special features, and pouring on a slope add to the complexity of this project, so unless you are confident that you can DIY a proper driveway, it is best to stick with the professionals.
