Concrete driveway calculator
Estimate concrete volume, control joint spacing and ready-mix truck loads for a driveway pour.
Concrete driveway calculator
Estimate concrete volume, control joint spacing and ready-mix truck loads for a driveway pour.
Enter your driveway dimensions to see the concrete estimate.
Concrete needed
Project summary
How it works
These are volume estimates for planning. Actual concrete requirements depend on form dimensions, subgrade and waste.
Concrete driveway calculator
A driveway pour is a delivery logistics problem too
A driveway is usually too big to pour from bags, so the number that matters is cubic yards of ready-mix and how many truck loads that becomes. Ready-mix trucks carry a fixed maximum load, commonly around 9 cubic yards, so this calculator rounds up to whole truck loads: a driveway that needs 9.5 cubic yards still needs two trucks.
Control joints stop cracks from happening at random
Concrete shrinks slightly as it cures and will crack somewhere; a control joint, cut or tooled at a regular interval, gives it a planned place to crack instead of a random one across the surface. This calculator estimates joint count from a spacing you choose, since the right spacing depends on the slab thickness, the climate and the concrete mix, not one fixed number.
Frequently asked questions
How many yards of concrete does a driveway need?
A 20 by 10 foot driveway section at 4 inches thick needs about 2.72 cubic yards including a 10 percent waste allowance, which fits in a single ready-mix truck load. A full-length driveway is usually several times that; enter your own dimensions above for the exact figure and truck load count.
How far apart should control joints be on a driveway?
A commonly used guideline is spacing in feet of roughly two to three times the slab thickness in inches, so a 4 inch driveway often uses joints every 8 to 12 feet. Climate, subgrade and the specific concrete mix all affect the right spacing for your job, so this is a planning estimate, not a fixed rule.
How many cubic yards of concrete for a 2 car driveway?
A typical 2 car driveway is 20 feet wide by 20 feet long at 4 inches thick, which takes about 6 cubic yards. A 6 inch thick pour takes 9 cubic yards. The calculator gives you the exact amount based on your dimensions.
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
Most residential driveways are 4 to 6 inches thick. 4 inches handles standard passenger vehicles. 6 inches is better for heavier trucks or RVs. The calculator lets you choose the thickness and shows the resulting volume.
How much does a concrete driveway cost per square foot?
A plain concrete driveway costs 6 to 10 dollars per square foot installed. Stamped or coloured concrete costs more. The calculator gives you the square footage and volume so you can compare quotes from contractors.
Do driveways need rebar?
Wire mesh is standard in most residential driveways. Rebar is used for heavier loads or soil with poor bearing capacity. The calculator shows concrete volume, and you can add reinforcement requirements based on your soil conditions.
How long before I can drive on a new concrete driveway?
Wait at least 7 days before driving on new concrete. It reaches 70 percent strength at 7 days and full strength at 28 days. Walking is fine after 24 to 48 hours. The calculator helps you plan the pour so you can arrange alternative parking during curing.
Does a driveway need expansion joints?
Yes, place expansion joints every 10 to 15 feet to control cracking. Joints should also separate the driveway from the garage floor, sidewalk and any other concrete. The calculator gives you the total length to help plan joint placement.