Short answer
Replacing a concrete driveway costs the price of a new one plus removal. Nationally, tear-out and haul-away run about $1 per square foot and a new plain driveway $5 to $8 per square foot, so replacement lands around $6 to $9 per square foot for plain concrete. A typical 2-car driveway of 640 square feet comes to roughly $3,800 to $5,800. Decorative finishes raise the new-concrete part to $8 to $21 or more per square foot. Resurfacing at $3 to $10 per square foot is the cheaper alternative, but only on a slab that isn't moving.
| Tear-out and removal | about $1 per sq ft[1] |
|---|---|
| New plain concrete, installed | $5–$8 per sq ft[1] |
| Replacement, plain (tear-out + new) | ≈ $6–$9 per sq ft[1] |
| Typical 2-car driveway (640 sq ft), plain | ≈ $3,800–$5,800[1] |
| Decorative new concrete | $8–$21+ per sq ft[1] |
| Basic install, small job (Sept 2026) | $9.86–$12.11 per sq ft[2] |
| Resurfacing instead of replacing | $3–$10 per sq ft[1] |
| Vehicles back on the new slab | about 7 days[4] |
What you're paying for
- Demolition and haul-away of the old concrete, plus any asphalt or gravel under it.
- Grading and a compacted gravel base. The part that decides whether the new driveway lasts.
- Forms, reinforcement and the concrete. 4 inches for cars, 5 to 6 with rebar for trucks and RVs.
- Finish, control joints and curing. Broom finish is the plain price; decorative finishes move it up.
- The apron and its permit, where the city requires one.
What moves the price in Georgia
- How much of the old drive has to come out, and how thick it is.
- Slope and drainage: a lot that sends water at the garage needs more grading.
- Truck access: a backyard or tight lot may need a pump or wheelbarrow work.
- Finish: plain, exposed aggregate, color or stamping.
- Extras while the forms are up: a wider apron, a turnaround, a walkway tie-in.
Size your driveway with the driveway calculator, compare against thenew-driveway cost guide, and readfix or replace before deciding. Our written estimate itemizes every line above.
Frequently asked questions
Why does removal cost extra?
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The old slab has to be broken, loaded and hauled to a disposal site, and the subgrade regraded before a base can go down. ConcreteNetwork puts tear-out at about $1 per square foot nationally; thick slabs, heavy reinforcement and tight access push it up.
Can I replace only part of the driveway?
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Yes, if the control joints let us cut panels out cleanly. Replacing the apron and the first panels at the street, or the section at the garage that has settled, is common. The new concrete won't match the old color exactly.
Is resurfacing a real alternative?
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On a sound slab, yes: $3–$10 per square foot nationally for a bonded overlay. On a driveway that heaves, rocks or has wide cracks, an overlay fails within a season or two. Our fix-or-replace guide explains how we tell.
How long does a driveway replacement take?
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Tear-out and base one day, forms and pour usually the next, then curing. Walk on it after a day or two and park on it after about a week; we give you the exact dates for your pour.
Does a replacement need a permit?
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Replacing the driveway on your own lot often doesn't; replacing or widening the apron where it meets a public street usually needs a curb-cut or right-of-way permit. We check and pull it as part of the job.
Sources
- [1]ConcreteNetwork.com, How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost? (updated January 13, 2026)
- [2]Homewyse, Cost to Install Concrete Driveway (September 2026 figures)
- [3]ConcreteNetwork.com, Concrete Driveway Thickness (published August 17, 2023)
- [4]ConcreteNetwork.com, Curing Concrete (updated May 6, 2025)
Prices are national ranges published by the sources above, not quotes. Your price depends on size, access, site preparation and local labor rates in Georgia. Our free on-site estimate is the price for your site.
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