Concrete Driveway Cost in New Hampshire: A 2026 Snapshot
Planning a new concrete driveway in the Granite State? Prices have inched up again—labor shortages, fuel surcharges, and a short paving season are all factors. In 2026, most New Hampshire homeowners pay $8.75–$15.50 per square foot for a standard broom-finish concrete driveway, including tear-out of the old surface. That puts a typical 16×40 ft two-car driveway at $5,600–$9,900 before any decorative upgrades.
The good news: concrete still beats asphalt on longevity (30–40 years versus 15–20) and adds solid curb appeal when it’s time to sell. Below you’ll find real numbers, money-saving tips, and New Hampshire-specific advice that contractors rarely tell you until you’ve already signed a contract.
What Drives Concrete Driveway Cost in New Hampshire?
1. Material Prices in 2026
Ready-mix concrete averaged $152/cubic yard statewide in January 2026—up 6 % from 2025. A 4-in.-thick driveway needs about 4.5 yd³ per 1,000 sq ft, so material alone runs $3.40–$3.90/sq ft before labor, rebar, or fiber mesh.
2. Labor & Short Season Premium
NH paving crews book April–October. If you wait until June, expect a 10–15 % “seasonal rush” surcharge. Lock in a April pour and you’ll usually dodge that fee.
3. Site Access & Terrain
- Steep grades >12 %: add $1.25/sq ft for pumping or thicker edges.
- Rocky ledge requiring blasting: $40–$75 per linear foot of ledge.
- Difficult truck access (tight cul-de-sacs, waterfront lots): $350 flat fee for buggy or pump truck.
4. Tear-Out & Disposal
Concrete removal runs $2.75–$4.10/sq ft in 2026, including disposal at a DOT-approved recycling yard. Asphalt tear-out is slightly cheaper at $2.25–$3.25/sq ft.
5. Reinforcement Choices
| Option | Cost per sq ft | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| #3 rebar 18-in. grid | +$0.95 | Heavy vehicles, sloped drives |
| Synthetic fiber mesh | +$0.35 | Standard passenger cars |
| Wire mesh 6×6-10/10 | +$0.55 | Budget reinforcement |
2026 Regional Price Map: Where You Live Matters
Driveway bids swing by county. Data are for a 640 sq ft (16×40 ft) broom-finish driveway, 4 in. thick, with #3 rebar and one approach cut.
- Rockingham & Hillsborough Counties: $9.50–$15.50/sq ft (higher disposal fees near MA border).
- Merrimack & Strafford: $8.75–$13.25/sq ft (good competition keeps prices mid-range).
- Grafton & Coös Counties: $10.00–$16.00/sq ft (longer haul distances, limited crews).
Tip: If you live north of the White Mountains, batch plants close for winter by mid-November. Book your pour before Labor Day or wait until May.
Popular Upgrades & What They Add in 2026
Stamped & Colored Concrete
Single-color stamp with a seamless slate skin: +$4.50–$7.00/sq ft. Two-color with hand-applied antiquing release: +$7.50–$10.00/sq ft. New this year: UV-stable integral colors that resist fading from New Hampshire’s intense freeze-thaw cycles.
Heated Driveway Systems
Hydronic (glycol) tubing tied to your boiler: $10–$14/sq ft. Electric mesh mats: $16–$20/sq ft. Both need a dedicated 30–50 A circuit and smart sensors—budget an extra $1,800–$2,400 for electrical work.
Exposed Aggregate
Pea-stone exposed wash: +$2.25/sq ft. Adds slip resistance for sloped NH driveways and hides minor salt damage.
Extra-Thick Edge (6-in. perimeter)
+$1.00/sq ft. Worth it if you expect delivery trucks or RV parking.
Can You DIY to Save Money?
Short answer: rarely. A homeowner can buy 3,000-psi concrete for $155/yd³ plus delivery, but you’ll still need a mixer truck for anything over 4 yd³. Add rebar rental, saw-cutting, and a 12-hour cure window in 40 °F spring weather. botch the pour and a removal & repour costs more than hiring pros the first time.
Where you can save:
- Do your own tear-out. Rent a 70-lb electric jackhammer for $75/day and dispose of chunks at a crushing yard (usually $25/ton). Save $1,200–$1,800 on a 640 sq ft driveway.
- Handle layout & permits. Mark boundaries, pull the driveway encroachment permit ($75–$150), and stake elevations. Contractors charge $300–$500 for this legwork.
- Seal it yourself. After 28 days, roll on a silane-siloxane sealer every 3–4 years. Material cost: $0.35/sq ft versus $1.25/sq ft if you hire out.
Timeline: From Quote to Parked Cars
- March: Request 3 quotes, check references, secure April pour slot.
- Early April: Permit approval (1–2 weeks). Order utility locates (DigSafe 811).
- Mid-April: Tear-out & base prep (1 day). Rain can push 24 hrs.
- Next day: Pour & finish (1 day). Control joints saw-cut day after.
- Day 7: Light vehicle traffic OK.
- Day 28: Full strength; apply sealer.
Total calendar time: 4–5 weeks including permitting. Miss the April window and you may wait until late May.
7 Proven Ways to Cut Concrete Driveway Cost in New Hampshire
- Bundle with neighbors. Two driveways on the same street poured the same day save $1.50/sq ft on mobilization.
- Choose broom finish now, stamp later. Install a standard driveway, then overlay with 1-in. stamped concrete in 5–7 years when budget allows.
- Reuse crushed concrete on-site. Ask for RCA (recycled concrete aggregate) as your new base layer—saves $0.75/sq ft on gravel trucking.
- Waive winter warranty. Some contractors offer a 5 % discount if you accept no freeze-thaw warranty claims before May 1.
- Keep width to 12 ft. A 12-ft single-car width uses 25 % less concrete than a 14-ft “comfort” width—saves $800+ on a 40-ft run.
- Skip decorative borders on the first quote. Add a 6-in. stamped border in a second phase; formwork is already set.
- Pay cash & schedule off-peak. April or late-October pours booked with a 50 % cash deposit often earn 5 % quick-pay discounts.
Maintaining Your Investment Through NH Winters
- Seal every 3 years. Use a penetrating, salt-resistant sealer rated for 100 freeze-thaw cycles.
- Limit chloride salts. Switch to calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) the first winter; it’s less corrosive and costs only $0.50 more per 50-lb bag.
- Shovel early. Remove slush before it compacts—ice-melt pellets work faster on bare concrete.
- Patch small cracks by May. Fill ⅛-in. cracks with gray self-leveling polyurethane ($8/tube) to stop water intrusion.
Follow those four steps and your 2026 driveway should look new well into the 2050s.
ROI & Resale Value in New Hampshire
According to the 2026 Cost vs. Value Report for New England, a new concrete driveway recovers 78 % of its cost at resale—higher than the national 69 %. In upscale Nashua or Hanover neighborhoods, stamped drives push recovery to 85 %. Realtors say buyers equate a crisp driveway with a “maintained home,” speeding up showings by an average of 12 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 in. is standard for passenger cars. If you park a ¾-ton pickup or boat, upgrade to 5 in. and add #3 rebar. For RV pads or dump-truck traffic, go 6 in. with a 6-in. thickened edge.