Updated June 2, 2023
When it’s time to replace your concrete driveway, make sure you have a good understanding of how much it costs, how long the new driveway should last, and the types of options available to you.
Average Cost of Concrete Driveway Replacement
For average concrete driveway replacements, the cost is between $8-$15 per square foot.
The overall cost for concrete driveway replacement is $6,000-$12,000 on average.
This is a base level estimate for average size driveway replacement projects.
If you live in a high-cost area, like a big metropolitan city or a rural area, you can expect to pay $5-$8 more per square foot than the above estimate.
Add another $5-$10 per square foot to your estimate for stamped or colored concrete.
Or, if you have existing subgrade issues that need to be excavated, this will add an additional $5-$10 per square foot to the overall project cost.
The length, width, and thickness of your driveway—as well as its shape—will also play a huge role in your concrete driveway replacement cost. Not only will it be more concrete to remove and dispose of, but it will be more concrete to replace as well.
The average driveway is 16 feet wide, 38 feet long, and about 4 inches thick, running straight from the house to the road.
If your driveway is bigger than this (roughly 610 square feet), or if it’s more complex than a straight up-and-down driveway, you can expect to pay more for your replacement.
The cost of driveway replacement includes removing and disposing of the existing concrete properly—we recommend clean loading the dumpster and recycling it for less than you would at a landfill—as well as the installation of a new driveway.
Learn more about concrete removal:
- Concrete Driveway Removal Cost Guide: Pricing Information You Should Know
- How Concrete Is Removed and How Much It Costs
- How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Dumpster for Concrete?
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Average Concrete Driveway Lifespan
There are a number of factors that play into how long a concrete driveway will last.
If your contractor is using a good concrete mix with a strength of 5,000 (pounds per square inch), as well as rebar to strengthen it, you can expect a concrete driveway to last 40 to 50 years.
Concrete Driveways vs. Asphalt Driveways
In concrete, cement is the adhesive element. In asphalt, it’s tar.
These substrates are what give concrete and asphalt their differing characteristics, but also affect costs, durability, and overall maintenance.
For example, while cement is more expensive than tar, it is a harder material and degrades slower than tar, meaning it will last longer.
In terms of cost, asphalt typically costs around 30% less than cement.
Choosing the Right Concrete Removal Contractor
While the contractor your neighbors hired for their home remodeling project may have been great, that contractor may not be experienced in concrete replacement.
Make sure you find a company that specializes in the kind of driveway replacement you’re looking for.
On top of that, read customer reviews carefully to be sure the contractor you're looking to hire is the right fit for you and your project.
However, good customer reviews are just one of the things you should look for.
The best contractors are usually busy, so don't be discouraged if the contractor you want to hire can't start the project right away. This is also why it's recommended you call well in advance of your desired start date to ensure you get the contractor you need when you need them.
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