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Concrete Driveway & Patio Cost Calculator

Updated · Written and checked by · How we check our maths

Quick answer

Concrete flatwork is priced per square foot. A standard 20 × 24 ft (480 sq ft) driveway, 4 inches thick with rebar and a broom finish, usually costs about $4,100–$5,000 and needs about 6.5 cubic yards of concrete. Stamped or coloured finishes cost more.

Concrete estimate

ft
ft
$

Estimated cost

$4,121–$5,037

Concrete needed
6.5

Cubic yards, including 8% extra

Area
480

Square feet

Per square foot
$9.54

Estimate only. Grading, drainage and access for the truck are confirmed on site.

How this calculator works

Concrete contractors price driveways, patios and slabs per square foot for a standard 4-inch slab with a broom finish, then adjust for thickness and decorative finishes. Thicker slabs need more concrete and more base preparation; stamped and coloured finishes need extra labour and materials.

The calculator also gives the cubic yards to order: length × width × thickness, divided by 27, plus about 8% for uneven ground and spillage. Ready-mix trucks deliver in quarter-yard steps, so the figure is rounded up.

Concrete businesses can keep their rate hidden and give homeowners an instant estimate on their own website, receiving the size and finish as a lead.

The formula

Area
length × width
Cubic yards
area × thickness (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × 1.08, rounded up to ¼ yard
Cost
area × rate × (thickness ÷ 4) × finish factor (+6% rebar, +$2/sq ft removal)

Worked example

A 24 × 20 ft driveway is 480 sq ft. At 4 in it needs 480 × 4 ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × 1.08 ≈ 6.4, so order 6.5 cubic yards. At $9 per sq ft with rebar (+6%) the cost is about $4,579, or $9.54 per sq ft.

Tips

  1. 01Ask for control joints every 8–10 ft to keep cracks straight.
  2. 02Seal decorative concrete every 2–3 years to protect the colour.
  3. 03Don't drive on a new driveway for at least 7 days.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost?

Usually $6–$12 per sq ft for a plain broom finish and $12–$20 for stamped or decorative concrete.

How many yards of concrete do I need?

Multiply length × width × thickness in feet and divide by 27. A 20 × 24 ft slab at 4 in is about 6 cubic yards, plus a little extra.

How thick should a concrete driveway be?

4 inches for cars, 5–6 inches for heavier vehicles such as trucks and RVs.