How this calculation works
- Area is length × width. Add extra rectangles if the drive turns or widens at the garage.
- For concrete, volume uses your thickness so you can compare a ready-mix ticket to an installed $/sq ft bid.
- Surface presets load typical US installed (or gravel band) prices. Swap them for local quotes.
area = L × W; concrete yd³ = area × (t/12) / 27 × (1+waste%); cost = area × $/sq ft range
What to do next
- Ask whether the bid includes excavation, fabric, base rock, and disposal of the old drive.
- Check city rules for apron thickness, slope to the street, and stormwater.
- For gravel, pair this with the gravel calculator if you want tons from a quarry density.
FAQ
- Is gravel cheaper forever?
- Upfront, often yes. You will regrade and add stone. Snowplows and weeds are ongoing work. Compare 10-year cost, not only day-one.
- Why is my neighbor’s concrete bid twice this range?
- Stamped, colored, thick sections, poor access, or a full rebuild of the base will do that. Use their line items to overwrite the $/sq ft fields.
Sources
- Area = length × width; concrete yd³ = area × (thickness in / 12) / 27
- Default installed $/sq ft bands: typical US planning ranges for residential drives, 2026
Cost defaults are typical US planning bands, last reviewed 2026-08-25. Edit the price fields on this page rather than treating them as a local market index.