Estimate cubic yards, bags, and total material cost for your concrete driveway
A concrete driveway is one of the best long-term investments you can make in your property. Unlike asphalt, which needs resurfacing every 5-10 years, a well-poured concrete driveway lasts 25-50 years with minimal maintenance. Here is what you need to know before you pour.
| Driveway Size | Thickness | Cubic Yards | With 10% Waste | Material Cost ($155/yd) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 20 ft (1 car) | 4 in | 2.47 | 2.72 | $421 |
| 10 x 20 ft (1 car) | 5 in | 3.09 | 3.40 | $527 |
| 16 x 30 ft (2 car) | 5 in | 7.41 | 8.15 | $1,263 |
| 16 x 40 ft (2 car) | 5 in | 9.88 | 10.86 | $1,684 |
| 20 x 40 ft (2 car wide) | 5 in | 12.35 | 13.58 | $2,104 |
| 20 x 50 ft (large) | 6 in | 18.52 | 20.37 | $3,157 |
| 24 x 60 ft (3 car) | 6 in | 26.67 | 29.34 | $4,547 |
Total installed cost (materials + labor) for a concrete driveway in 2026 runs $6-$12 per square foot, depending on your region, thickness, and reinforcement. Here is a breakdown:
For a standard 2-car driveway (16x40 ft = 640 sq ft), expect $3,840-$7,680 fully installed in 2026.
Use a minimum 3500 PSI mix for residential driveways. In cold climates with freeze-thaw cycles, use 4000-4500 PSI with air entrainment (5-7% air content). Air-entrained concrete is significantly more resistant to surface scaling caused by de-icing salts.
Yes — rebar or wire mesh is strongly recommended for driveways. Use #3 or #4 rebar in a 16-18 inch grid pattern, placed in the lower third of the slab. Wire mesh (6x6-W1.4xW1.4 or 6x6-W2.0xW2.0) is a lower-cost alternative for lighter-use driveways. Rebar is the better choice if you park heavy vehicles.
Plan control joints every 8-12 feet (roughly equal to the slab thickness in feet). A 5-inch slab should have joints every 5-6 feet. Joints allow the concrete to crack in predictable, straight lines rather than random surface cracks.
A standard 2-car driveway (16x40 ft) at 5 inches thick needs 9.88 cubic yards of concrete. With 10% waste, order 10.9 yards. At $155/yard, material cost is approximately $1,690. Full installation runs $3,840-$7,680 depending on your region.
5 inches is the recommended standard for residential driveways with passenger vehicle traffic. Use 4 inches only for very light use. Use 6 inches if you park pickups, trailers, RVs, or heavy equipment. Thicker slabs with rebar resist cracking far better over time.
Fully installed, expect $6-$12 per square foot in 2026. A 640 sq ft driveway (16x40) runs $3,840-$7,680. Material costs alone (concrete + rebar) run $1,800-$3,200 for that size depending on local concrete prices.
A properly installed concrete driveway lasts 25-50 years. Key factors: minimum 5-inch thickness, proper subgrade compaction, rebar reinforcement, air-entrained mix in cold climates, and sealing every 2-3 years. Avoid de-icing salts — they cause surface scaling.
Concrete lasts longer (25-50 years vs 15-30 for asphalt) and requires less maintenance. Asphalt is cheaper upfront ($3-$7/sqft vs $6-$12 for concrete) and easier to repair. In very cold climates, both perform well. Concrete is better value long-term for most homeowners.