Concrete Driveway Cost in Alabama: What to Expect in 2026
A new concrete driveway is one of the fastest ways to boost curb appeal and protect your vehicles from Alabama’s red clay and summer storms. Before you call a contractor, it helps to know the real numbers. In 2026, the average concrete driveway cost in Alabama runs $6.75 – $10.50 per square foot installed, with most 600-sq-ft two-car drives landing between $4,050 and $6,300. This guide breaks down every price variable—materials, labor, permits, finishes—so you can budget smart and avoid surprise line items.
2026 Alabama Concrete Driveway Pricing Breakdown
1. Standard Plain Gray Concrete
- Material & delivery: $3.10 / sq ft
- Labor & forming: $2.95 / sq ft
- Total installed: $6.05 – $6.75 / sq ft
Best for long straight drives on level ground; fastest pour schedule.
2. Colored or Tinted Concrete
Adds $0.65 – $0.90 / sq ft for integral color. Earth-tone pigments (sandstone, brick red) are popular in Birmingham and Huntsville neighborhoods.
3. Exposed Aggregate & Stamped Patterns
- Exposed aggregate: +$1.40 / sq ft
- Stamped slate or cobblestone: +$2.75 / sq ft
- Border accents in contrasting color: +$3.25 / linear ft
4. Fiber Mesh vs. Rebar Reinforcement
Fiber mesh is now included in most base quotes. Upgrading to #3 rebar grid adds $0.55 / sq ft but pays off on heavy-clay soils common around Montgomery and Mobile.
5. Regional Alabama Labor Variations
| Metro Area | Avg Labor Rate / sq ft |
|---|---|
| Huntsville | $3.15 |
| Birmingham | $2.95 |
| Mobile | $2.85 |
| Dothan | $2.60 |
Remote rural counties may see a $0.25–$0.40 travel surcharge.
Driveway Size Examples & 2026 Price Ranges
- Single-car (12×24 ft – 288 sq ft)
Plain: $1,740 – $1,944
Stamped border: $2,340 – $2,650 - Two-car (20×30 ft – 600 sq ft)
Plain: $3,630 – $4,050
Colored + exposed aggregate: $5,100 – $5,700 - RV pad extension (12×40 ft – 480 sq ft)
5-inch thick, fiber + rebar: $3,480 – $3,960 - Circular estate drive (2,200 sq ft)
Stamped cobblestone, two colors: $18,500 – $21,000
Prices include tear-out of old asphalt or cracked concrete, haul-off, and 4-inch base rock compacted to AL-DOT spec.
Hidden Extras That Alter Your Final Invoice
City Permits
Birmingham and Huntsville now require a $75 driveway permit for new widths over 12 ft. Mobile County adds a $50 storm-water fee. Your contractor should pull the permit; verify it’s in the quote.
Tree Removal or Root Barriers
Removing a 24-inch pine stump averages $225. Installing a root barrier along live oaks costs $8 / linear ft—cheap insurance against future cracking.
Geo-Grid for Expansive Clay
Parts of Shelby and Tuscaloosa counties sit on highly plastic clay. A biaxial geo-grid layer prevents seasonal heave; budget $0.95 / sq ft.
Night & Weekend Pour Premiums
June-August pours sometimes start at 5 a.m. to beat the 95 °F heat. If the crew must pour after 6 p.m. or on Saturday, expect 15 % overtime.
Return on Investment in Alabama’s 2026 Market
Realtors statewide report that a new concrete driveway recovers 78 % of its cost at resale—higher than the national 68 %. In Huntsville’s hot tech market, a stamped driveway can add $12,000 to a $400 k listing. Even if you’re not selling, you save on vehicle maintenance; mud and gravel tear up floor mats and suspensions.
Smart Ways to Save Without Cutting Corners
1. Combine Neighbor Jobs
Contractors save on mobilization when two drives are poured the same day. Ask a neighbor if they’re ready; you both can shave 8–10 % off labor.
2. Choose One Accent, Not Two
Pick either color or stamping—not both—to stay near the base price. A colored body with a plain broom-finish border still looks custom.
3. Handle Demo Yourself
Breaking up and removing old asphalt yourself can save $1.25 / sq ft. Rent a 90-lb jackhammer for $75/day and haul to a county landfill ($40/ton).
4. Schedule in the Cool Season
February and March are slower for Alabama concrete crews. Discounts of 5–7 % are common, and cooler weather reduces surface cracking.
How to Vet an Alabama Concrete Driveway Contractor
Check These Five Items
- Alabama Home Builder License (concrete is under residential builder category) – verify online at alabamaahb.org
- General liability & workers comp certificates dated 2026
- Local reference list with addresses; drive by to see 3-year-old drives
- Written 2026 price lock so lumber-form costs don’t jump mid-job
- 5-year structural warranty that covers cracking wider than ¼ inch
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- “Do you use a 3,000 psi Alabama-approved mix with 5 % air entrainment?”
- “Will you install contraction joints every 10 ft or less?”
- “What’s the pour-day temperature range you require?” (Answer should be 40 °F – 90 °F)
- “How long before I can park my F-150 on it?” (Answer: 7 days minimum)
Maintenance Costs After the Pour
Concrete is low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. Budget the following each year:
- Clear penetrating sealer: $0.45 / sq ft every 3 years (DIY roller)
- Joint re-caulk: $1.10 / linear ft if cracks widen
- Annual pressure wash: $125 for 600 sq ft (or DIY in 45 minutes)
Done on schedule, these steps can push driveway life past 35 years—nearly double an asphalt surface.
Alabama Concrete Driveway FAQ
Yes. Summer humidity speeds surface set, increasing the risk of shrinkage cracks. Reputable crews start at dawn, use evaporative retarders, and erect temporary shade. In winter, temps below 40 °F require insulated blankets for 48 hours, adding roughly $0.40 / sq ft.
Light passenger cars: 7 days. Heavy SUVs, boats, or moving trucks: 10–14 days. Fast-track mixes with 4,000 psi can reduce that to 5 days but cost an extra $0.60 / sq ft.
Integral color itself doesn’t change texture, but stamped patterns can be slick if a clear sealer is over-applied. Ask for a shark-grip additive in the final coat; it adds $45 total and meets ADA slip-resistance standards.
Generally, no. Alabama counties assess by overall market value, and a modest driveway improvement rarely triggers a reappraisal unless the project is part of a larger home addition. Call your county revenue office with the final invoice if you’re unsure.