How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?
A concrete driveway from Tidewater starts around $10.62 per square foot at our 5.5-inch minimum thickness. A recent 16-by-30-foot driveway (480 square feet) came to $5,100. Size, thickness, finish and site prep are what move the final price up or down.
Driveway Size and Total Cost
Driveway size sets most of the total. A basic single-car driveway of about 200 square feet runs around $2,500 to $4,000 in national cost guides, and a two-car driveway of about 400 square feet around $4,000 to $7,000. Our 480-square-foot example at $5,100 falls inside that range.
Smaller driveways usually cost more per square foot than larger ones, because getting the crew, equipment and concrete to the site costs about the same no matter the size.
Slab Thickness
Slab thickness is the number to check first on any driveway quote. We pour every driveway at least 5.5 inches thick, and extra thickness adds to the price. A thinner slab costs less up front but is more likely to crack under years of vehicle traffic.
Finish: Plain vs. Stamped
Finish is the other big variable. A stamped or decorative driveway typically costs 20 to 50 percent more than plain broom-finished concrete in industry cost guides, because pattern and color work take more time and material. Our stamped concrete cost guide covers decorative pricing in detail.
Removing an Old Driveway
Removing an old driveway adds to the quote when a cracked slab or old asphalt has to come out first. We price removal after seeing the site, since the size and condition of the old surface change the work.
Concrete vs. Asphalt Over the Long Run
Concrete versus asphalt comes down to lifespan as well as price. A properly installed concrete driveway typically lasts 25 to 30 years or more, against roughly 15 to 20 for asphalt.
How to Compare Driveway Quotes
Driveway quotes are easiest to compare when each one states the same details in writing: slab thickness, how the base is prepared, and what reinforcement is included. A low quote that leaves out the thickness may be pricing a thinner slab.
We price every driveway the same way in every neighborhood, so the number reflects the driveway itself. Our Concrete Driveways page explains how we build them.
Freeze-Thaw and Air-Entrained Concrete
Freeze-thaw cycles are the main thing a driveway in this region has to survive. Cecil County’s building code rates the area’s weathering potential as severe, and New Castle County’s inspection checklist requires exterior concrete to be air-entrained under IRC 402.2. Air entrainment puts tiny air bubbles in the mix, which gives water room to expand when it freezes, so it’s worth confirming on any quote you compare.
Permits
Permits for driveway work depend on the property and the jurisdiction. In Cecil County, the Permits & Inspections Division in Elkton issues driveway permits and asks for a site sketch showing the driveway location, property lines, house, setbacks and other structures. Delaware towns and counties handle permits their own way, and we’ll tell you what applies when we quote.
