Short answer
A plain gray concrete driveway costs about $5 to $8 per square foot installed, and decorative finishes run $8 to $21 per square foot. Most driveways total between $3,200 and $13,000. A typical 2-car driveway (16 × 40 ft, 640 sq ft) comes to roughly $3,200–$5,100 in plain concrete.
| Plain gray concrete | $5–$8 per sq ft[1] |
|---|---|
| Decorative (stamped, colored, exposed aggregate) | $8–$21+ per sq ft[1] |
| Typical total | $3,200–$13,000[1] |
| Basic install, small job (Sept 2026) | $9.86–$12.11 per sq ft[2] |
| Tear-out of an old driveway | about $1 per sq ft[1] |
| Resurfacing instead of replacing | $3–$10 per sq ft[1] |
| Professional sealing | $1–$2 per sq ft[1] |
| Average 2-car driveway size | 16 × 40 ft (640 sq ft)[1] |
Concrete driveway cost per square foot
Plain gray concrete runs about $5–$8 per square foot installed. ConcreteNetwork prices decorative driveways at $8–$14 (basic), $14–$21 (mid-range) and $21+ (high-end) per square foot. Homewyse's September 2026 figure for a basic small-job install is $9.86–$12.11 per square foot, before demolition, base gravel and contractor markup.
What's in the price
Driveway quotes are priced per square foot, and the biggest factor is the finish. Plain broom-finished gray concrete is the cheapest. Each decorative step (color, exposed aggregate, stamping, borders) adds labor and material. ConcreteNetwork groups decorative driveways into basic ($8–$14 per sq ft), mid-range ($14–$21) and high-end ($21 and up).
Beyond the finish, these items move the price:
- Removing the old driveway: about $1 per square foot for tear-out and haul-away.
- Base and grading: a compacted gravel base is standard. Soft soil, slopes or drainage work add cost.
- Thickness and reinforcement: 4 inches suits passenger cars. Heavier trucks or RVs may need 5–6 inches with rebar, which uses more concrete. See how thick a driveway should be.
- Permits: a driveway approach onto a public street usually needs a permit from the city or county.
- Sealing: $1–$2 per square foot if a professional does it.
Concrete driveway replacement cost
Replacing a driveway means paying for tear-out (about $1 per square foot) on top of the new concrete. For the average 640 sq ft 2-car driveway that's roughly $640 for removal plus $3,200–$5,100 for a plain replacement: about $3,800–$5,800 in total. If the slab is structurally sound, resurfacing at $3–$10 per square foot can be a cheaper alternative. Compare it with an asphalt replacement in our concrete vs. asphalt guide.
Example: a 2-car driveway
The average 2-car driveway is 16 × 40 feet, or 640 square feet. At $5–$8 per sq ft for plain concrete, that's about $3,200–$5,100. With removal of an old driveway (about $640) it's roughly $3,800–$5,800. A stamped or colored version at $8–$21 per sq ft runs about $5,100–$13,400. Homewyse's September 2026 figure for a basic small-job install is $9.86–$12.11 per sq ft. Its estimate excludes demolition, base gravel and contractor markup.
Want your own numbers? Use our concrete calculator to get cubic yards and a cost range for your exact size.
How to get an accurate price
Published ranges are national. Washington prices depend on local labor, access and your site. Get at least three written quotes with the same scope: square footage, thickness, base depth, reinforcement, finish, and whether removal and permits are included. We'll send your project to up to three licensed contractors near you. Popular areas:Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Kent, Everett, Spokane Valley.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a concrete driveway?
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Add tear-out to the new-driveway price. Removal runs about $1 per square foot, so replacing a 640 sq ft plain driveway at $5–$8 per sq ft plus removal comes to roughly $3,800–$5,800 before permits and extras.
Is it cheaper to resurface or replace a concrete driveway?
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Resurfacing is cheaper at $3–$10 per square foot, but it only works if the slab underneath is sound. Driveways with heaving, deep cracks or a failed base need replacement.
How much does a 20×20 concrete driveway cost?
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A 20 × 20 ft pad is 400 sq ft. At $5–$8 per sq ft for plain concrete that's about $2,000–$3,200. Decorative finishes at $8–$21 per sq ft put it at $3,200–$8,400.
Is concrete or asphalt cheaper for a driveway?
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Asphalt is usually cheaper up front ($7–$15 per sq ft vs. $8–$20 for concrete in NerdWallet's figures), but concrete lasts longer: about 27.5 years on average versus 15–30 years for asphalt.
Sources
- [1]ConcreteNetwork.com, How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost? (updated January 13, 2026)
- [2]Homewyse, Cost to Install Concrete Driveway (September 2026 figures)
- [3]NerdWallet (citing Angi), Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveway Cost (updated September 3, 2025)
- [4]ConcreteNetwork.com, Concrete Driveway Thickness (published August 17, 2023)
Prices are national ranges published by the sources above, not quotes. Your price depends on size, access, site preparation and local labor rates. The only way to know is to compare written quotes.