Concrete Driveway Cost in Maine: 2026 Price Guide

Concrete Driveway Cost in Maine: The 2026 Snapshot

Planning a new concrete driveway in Vacationland? Most Maine homeowners pay $6,950–$11,200 for a standard 600-sq-ft two-car drive in 2026. That breaks down to $11.50–$18.75 per square foot installed, including excavation, steel reinforcement, 4-inch 3,500-psi concrete, and a brushed finish.

Prices edge higher in Portland, Bangor, and coastal York County thanks to tighter zoning rules and higher fuel surcharges. Rural inland counties (Piscataquis, Somerset, Aroostook) can run 8-12 % lower because trucking fees drop when quarries are closer. Below you’ll find the line-item numbers, design choices that swing the price, and pro tips to keep your budget—and your driveway—intact through Maine’s punishing freeze-thaw cycles.

2026 Concrete Driveway Cost Breakdown in Maine

Material vs. Labor Split

• Concrete mix & delivery (30 %): $3.50–$4.20 / sq ft
• Labor & forming (35 %): $4.00–$6.50 / sq ft
• Excavation & base (20 %): $2.00–$3.00 / sq ft
• Reinforcement & incidentals (10 %): $1.00–$1.50 / sq ft
• Permits & sealing (5 %): $0.50–$0.75 / sq ft

Size-Based Pricing Table (Maine Average, 2026)

Maine-Specific Add-Ons

Maine’s 40-inch-plus frost depth and frequent de-icing salt use force most contractors to include:

1. 6-inch compacted gravel base (Item 4 or recycled concrete) instead of the 4-inch base common in warmer states—adds $0.75 / sq ft.
2. Air-entrained concrete (6 % micro-bubbles) for freeze protection—$12 / cubic-yard premium.
3. Saw-cut control joints every 10 ft to guide cracks—$1.25 / linear ft.
4. Silane-siloxane sealer 30 days after pour—$1.10 / sq ft if bundled with install.

What Moves Your Price Up or Down?

Site Access & Terrain

A sloped lot, wooded lot, or 200-ft haul from the road doubles excavation time. Budget an extra $800–$1,500 if the contractor’s ready-mix truck can’t reach the pour area and a concrete pump is required.

Reinforcement Options

• #3 rebar 18-inch grid: $0.95 / sq ft
• 6×6 WWM (welded wire mesh): $0.55 / sq ft
• Macro-synthetic fiber additive: $0.35 / sq ft—popular because it removes a labor step.

Decorative Finishes

While a brushed broom finish is standard, Maine homeowners increasingly ask for:

• Exposed aggregate (+$3.50 / sq ft) for extra slip resistance on icy mornings.
• Integral color & stamped slate skin (+$8–$12 / sq ft) to mimic natural stone.
• Heated hydronic tubing (+$14–$18 / sq ft) to eliminate shoveling—works great with rooftop solar for offset energy costs.

Seasonal Timing

Concrete needs 45 °F and rising overnight temps. In Maine that’s late April to mid-October. Contractors offer 5–7 % off-peak discounts for contracts signed February–March because they lock in early cash flow and quarry pricing before summer demand spikes.

Maine Permits, Codes & HOA Notes

Every municipality is different, but most coastal towns now enforce Portland Land Use Ordinance-style storm-water rules. Expect:

• A driveway permit ($50–$125) from the Code Enforcement Officer.
• A storm-water affidavit if the impervious area exceeds 1,000 sq ft.
• A culvert size calculation if your pipe empties into a trout stream—add $350 for an engineer’s stamp.

Check your HOA too; many limit color pigments and require a 2-ft granite cobble apron to match New England aesthetics.

DIY vs. Hiring a Certified Installer

Maine’s short work window and precision finishing make full DIY risky. That said, you can shave costs by:

1. Doing your own layout marking and loam removal (saves $1–$1.50 / sq ft) but leave 2–3 inches extra depth for the pros to fine-grade.
2. Supplying your own gravel—quarry-direct in Auburn or Hermon runs $16 / ton picked up versus $24 delivered by the contractor.

Always keep a certified flatwork crew for the concrete place-and-finish; winter scaling caused by poor troweling is not covered by homeowner insurance.

Maximizing Driveway Life in Maine’s Climate

Seal on Schedule

Apply a penetrating sealer every 3–4 years (or when water no longer beads). Budget $350–$450 for a 600-sq-ft drive if you hire it out; DIY with a 5-gal pail and roller costs under $90.

Safe De-Icing

Avoid rock salt (sodium chloride) after year one. Switch to calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) or sand for traction; both are quarry-safe and far less corrosive.

Spring Inspection

Look for hairline cracks wider than ¼ inch. Route and fill with gray polyurethane joint sealant ($12 / tube) before water freezes and expands them.

Return on Investment & Resale Value

According to the 2026 Remodeling Magazine North-East Cost vs. Value Report, a new concrete driveway in Maine returns 78 % of its cost at resale—second only to attic insulation. Realtors in Portland’s hot neighborhoods note that colored and stamped drives add 6–8 % to curb-appeal offers, especially when coordinated with native stone veneer on the porch.

Pro Tips to Save Without Cutting Corners

• Bundle with neighbor: Two drives on the same street poured the same week triggers a “multi-pour” discount of $1 / sq ft from most ready-mix plants.
• Choose broom finish now, stamp later: Have the contractor stamp a 2-ft decorative border this year and add full-slate stamping down the road—your control joints already line up.
• Order concrete at 4,000 psi instead of 3,500—only $4 / cubic-yard more but gains 25 % strength, letting you drop from 5-inch to 4-inch thickness and save 20 % on material.

Frequently Asked Questions