How much does Concrete paving cost?

If your home’s existing concrete driveway or asphalt driveway is buckling, cracked, oil-stained, or in general disrepair, it might be time to have a new driveway installed. Though often overlooked, a new concrete driveway can dramatically improve a home’s curb appeal and accessibility.

Concrete is a favorite driveway material because it’s easy to clean, offers an array of different finishes, and has a long lifespan—often lasting 30 years or more, according to the Portland Cement Association (PCA), a manufacturer’s organization. Concrete driveways may be assembled with concrete paver units or poured into place as a soupy liquid. Poured concrete can be tinted or stained, texturized with brushes, stamped to mimic cobblestones or brick pavers, or coated with aggregate (pebbles).

Pouring concrete, or installing concrete paving, isn’t usually a DIY home improvement job. Most homeowners should hire a professional concrete paving contractor who understands different types of concrete mixtures, materials, and techniques.

Read on for more information about the cost of concrete driveway installation.

Not familiar with pressure washing? Consider hiring a pro for driveway cleaning.

Driveway paving jobs are typically quoted on a per-project basis that factors in both materials and labor. Masons, landscape professionals, and paving and driveway contractors typically charge an hourly fee of $40–100, which accounts for 40–60% of the project’s total cost. 

Before providing a project estimate, local pros will often visit your home to view the project site. That allows them to give you the most accurate cost estimate for your new concrete driveway.

New driveway installation. The national average cost of concrete paving ranges from $2,400–5,600 for a typical 20×20-foot driveway, or $6–14 per square foot (sq. ft.), including materials and labor. 

Driveway removal. If required, removing your old driveway before installing a new one costs an additional $1–3 per square foot. 

Resurfacing. Instead of replacing your existing driveway, your contractor may recommend driveway repair by applying a thin layer of concrete resurfacing mixture over the old driveway, which costs $3–8 per square foot.

Concrete pavers. Expect to pay an average of $9–30 per square foot for concrete pavers (individual bricks or stones). Due to the preparation and installation required, labor generally makes up a higher percentage (50–70%) of the overall project cost. 

Concrete pavers are often a better choice for regions with regular freeze-thaw cycles, because poured concrete has a tendency to crack when frozen. 

The following variables can affect total concrete driveway costs. 

Is it cheaper to tarmac or concrete?

Tarmac (aka asphalt) is cheaper than poured concrete, at $4–10 per square foot (installed), compared to $6–14 per square foot for concrete. What’s the difference? Asphalt does better with cold weather, but attracts excess heat and can soften in extreme summer temperatures. On the other hand, concrete can split or buckle when frozen and thawed. For more, read How to seal an asphalt driveway.

What is the cheapest option for a driveway?

Gravel driveways are more affordable, at an average installed cost of $1.50–4 per square foot (as compared to $4–10 per square foot for asphalt and $6–14 for concrete). However, most homeowners prefer the appearance and neatness of asphalt or concrete.

What type of driveway lasts the longest?

While concrete and concrete paver driveways are very resilient, gravel driveways take the prize for the longest lifespans, because they don’t have a rigid surface that can become damaged. However, you may need to pay to replenish the gravel from time to time, at a typical cost of 0.25–0.75 per square foot.

Find a concrete paving professional in your area.