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Concrete Driveway Calculator

Concrete volume and area for a driveway pour.

Concrete Driveway Calculator
ft
ft
in
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Driveways carry vehicle loads, so they are poured thicker than a patio. Five inches is the usual minimum for cars, six for trucks or an RV.

How this is calculated

  1. Volume = length × width × thickness ÷ 12, in cubic feet.
  2. Divide by 27 for cubic yards, which is how ready-mix is ordered.
  3. A driveway almost always needs ready-mix rather than bags: even a small 40 × 12 ft drive at 5 inches is over 7 cubic yards.

Frequently asked questions

How thick should a concrete driveway be?

Five inches for standard passenger cars, six inches if heavy vehicles will use it. Four inches is only acceptable for foot traffic.

Does a driveway need rebar?

Most residential driveways use either rebar on 18 inch centres or welded wire mesh. It does not stop cracking, but it holds cracks tight.

How long before I can drive on new concrete?

Seven days for cars in normal weather, and a full 28 days before heavy vehicles. Concrete gains most of its strength in the first week but keeps curing for a month.

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