Concrete Driveway Cost in Washington: The 2026 Snapshot
Planning to replace that cracked asphalt or upgrade from gravel? In 2026, a standard plain-gray concrete driveway in Washington State runs $8.50 – $14.00 per square foot installed. For the typical 600-sq-ft two-car driveway, expect $5,100 – $8,400 before any extras such as stamping, coloring, or heating elements.
Prices have crept up 5-7 % since 2024 because cement manufacturers passed on higher natural-gas and shipping costs. Even so, concrete remains the longest-lasting surface—30–40 years when properly maintained—making it the value leader over asphalt (15-year life) or pavers (20-year life).
What Drives Concrete Driveway Cost in Washington?
1. Material Inputs (40 % of total bill)
- Portland cement: $168–$185 per ton (Seattle terminal price, 2026).
- Aggregate: $28–$34 per ton; haul distance from Kapowsin or DuPont quarries adds $0.12 per mile.
- Admixtures: Air-entrainment for freeze-thaw ($0.45/sq ft), super-plasticizer for low-slump ($0.20/sq ft).
2. Site Prep & Demolition (20–30 %)
Removing old concrete costs $3.25–$4.75 per sq ft in the Puget Sound metro because landfill fees are near $160/ton. Soft peat or clay soils may require 4–6 in. of extra crushed base ($0.90/sq ft).
3. Labor & Equipment (25 %)
Washington’s prevailing wage for concrete finishers in 2026 is $56.80/hr inside King County, $49.30 outside. Shortages of skilled stamp installers push decorative premiums to $4–$8 per sq ft over plain pour.
4. Permits & Inspections
Most cities now tie permit fees to project valuation:
- Seattle: $180 base + $9 per $1,000 of job cost.
- Spokane: $150 flat up to 800 sq ft.
- Bellevue: 1 % of contract price + storm-water review if >750 sq ft.
2026 Regional Price Map
Prices below are for a 600-sq-ft broom-finish driveway, 5-in. thick, #4 rebar, includes permits and sales tax.
| Metro Area | Low | High | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle/Eastside | $7,800 | $10,200 | $9,000 |
| Tacoma/Olympia | $6,900 | $9,100 | $8,000 |
| Spokane/CDA | $5,800 | $7,800 | $6,800 |
| Vancouver, WA | $6,200 | $8,400 | $7,300 |
| Rural Ferry/Pend Oreille | $5,400 | $7,200 | $6,300 |
Travel surcharges apply beyond 50 mi of the contractor’s yard; typically $1.50 per mile each way.
Upgrade Options & Their 2026 Price Tags
Color & Design
- Integral color (buff, gray, charcoal): +$1.20/sq ft
- Shake-on hardener (terra cotta, slate): +$1.75/sq ft
- Exposed aggregate: +$3.50/sq ft
- Stamped slate or ashlar: +$6.00–$9.00/sq ft
Functional Extras
- Fiber-mesh reinforcement: +$0.55/sq ft
- 6×6-WWM + rebar grid: +$1.10/sq ft
- Electric radiant heat (snow melt): +$10–$14/sq ft
- Sealer package (silane-siloxane, 5-yr): +$1.00/sq ft
Pro tip: If you crave the paver look without the upkeep, choose stamped concrete with saw-cut control joints every 10 ft—saves roughly 30 % versus real clay pavers.
DIY vs. Hiring a Certified Installer
Material-only price for 600 sq ft (5-in. slab, 3,000 psi, #4 rebar) is about $2,100 with delivery. Add pump truck ($900) and dumpster ($450) and you’re at $3,450 before labor.
Doing it yourself means you control timing, but Washington’s short pour window (temps >40 °F and no rain) is unforgiving. One bad float pass leaves permanent ridges. Most homeowners find the $4–$5 per sq ft labor premium cheap insurance against a $10,000 do-over.
7 Smart Ways to Save Without Cutting Corners
- Book off-season: January–March discounts average 8 %.
- Bundle with neighbor: Two-driveway day saves mobilization fees ($400–$600 each).
- Choose broom finish: Saves $4/sq ft versus stamped slate.
- Keep thickness at 5 in. for passenger vehicles; 6 in. only if you park a 3/4-ton truck.
- Reuse base: If existing gravel is clean and 4 in. deep, ask to compact and top up 1 in. instead of full replacement.
- Accept longer control-joint spacing: 12 ft instead of 8 ft cuts linear footage by 25 %.
- Seal it yourself: Buy 5-gal pail for $140 and roller it on; installer markup is 100 %.
Project Timeline & What to Expect
- Day 1: Survey, locate utilities, pull permit (if not prepaid).
- Day 2–3: Demo, haul-off, rough grade, compact base.
- Day 4: Form & place rebar, final grade check.
- Day 5: Pour, screed, bull-float, set control joints.
- Day 6: Strip forms, saw-cut joints, initial clean-up.
- Day 14: Return to seal, final walk-through.
Weather delay clause: Every rain day adds $250 for crew standby.
Maximizing Lifespan—Maintenance Costs Through 2050
Annual rinse + spot seal every 3 years ($0.35/sq ft) keeps freeze-thaw spalling at bay. Budget $350 over 30 years for a 600-sq-ft driveway—still half the 20-year asphalt re-seal bill.
Crack repair: Route and fill with gray polyurethane before second winter; DIY kit $45, pro $3 per linear ft. Catch cracks <1/4 in. early and your slab can realistically hit 40 years.
Washington Concrete Driveway FAQ
Yes, any new pour or enlargement over 120 sq ft requires a building or “site development” permit in most counties. Seattle, Bellevue, and Spokane also ask for a storm-water affidavit if total impervious area exceeds 750 sq ft. Your contractor usually pulls the permit and folds the fee into the bid.
Keep cars off for 7 full days in 50 °F+ weather. Pickup trucks or RVs wait 14 days. Early loading can micro-crack the surface and void most warranties.
Absolutely. Western Washington goes through 30–40 freeze-thaw cycles each winter. #4 rebar at 18 in. on-center keeps random cracks tight and satisfies IRC standards. Skimping saves only $0.80/sq ft but doubles repair risk.
UV rays and rain gradually lighten the surface, especially integral colors. A quality silane-siloxane sealer every 3 years blocks most fading and keeps the original hue vibrant for decades.