ConcreteJune 12, 2026·7 min read
Concrete Driveway Cost: What Homeowners Actually Pay in 2026
Square-footage pricing, thickness requirements, and the variables that swing the quote $5,000.
A new concrete driveway runs $8–$14 per square foot installed in 2026. A 16x40 driveway is therefore $5,000–$9,000 plain, $10,000–$15,000 stamped.
What drives the cost
- Thickness — 5" or 6" instead of 4" adds 25–50% to material.
- Reinforcement — rebar in a 24" grid is $0.50–$1.00/sq ft installed.
- Demo — removing an old driveway adds $2–$6/sq ft.
- Sub-base — extra gravel for poor soil adds $1–$3/sq ft.
- Decorative — stamping, coloring, or borders can double the price.
Lifetime cost vs asphalt
Concrete lasts 30–40 years; asphalt 15–20. Per-year cost is actually similar once you factor in resealing on both.
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