How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost in Southern California?

Around the Inland Empire, a new concrete driveway runs about $9 to $30 per square foot installed. For a two-car driveway of 400 to 576 square feet, that comes to about $3,600 to $12,900. Those totals cover plain gray concrete up to basic decorative work.

Location moves the number. Southern California prices run well above the national figures, and a 600-square-foot driveway around the Inland Empire comes to about $10,800 to $19,800.

These are market ranges for the Inland Empire, not our price list. For a firm number on your own drive, start with our concrete driveway service.

What does a concrete driveway cost per square foot?

The finish makes a big difference. Plain concrete runs roughly half the price of a high-end stamped finish. Installed cost by finish around the Inland Empire:

Labor makes up about half the total, roughly $3 to $15 per square foot. Ready-mix concrete runs about $180 to $315 per cubic yard. For pattern and color choices, see stamped and colored concrete.

How much does a two-car driveway or an RV pad cost?

A two-car driveway usually measures 20 by 20 feet or 24 by 24 feet. Totals for common sizes around the Inland Empire:

The first column is a standard to basic finish and the second is where current figures start. Tear-out and site work can add to either column.

An RV pad calls for thicker concrete. National guides suggest at least 4 inches under cars and 5 to 6 inches under RVs. RV pads of 200 to 700 square feet run about $1,800 to $12,600 around here. For a pad that stands apart from the drive, see concrete slabs and pads.

What moves the price of a concrete driveway?

Two driveways of the same size can price far apart. These items move the number:

• Size and shape. Bigger drives cost more in total but often less per square foot. Curved and circular drives cost more than a plain rectangle.
• Thickness. Around the Inland Empire, 4-inch concrete runs about $9 to $23 per square foot and 6-inch about $12 to $30.
• Tear-out of an old drive. Removing old concrete adds about $3 to $9 per square foot. Thick slabs and slabs full of rebar cost more to break out.
• Grading and base. Driveway grading runs about $1,050 to $3,750 on average. A gravel base adds about $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot.
• Reinforcement. Steel rebar adds about $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot.
• Access. Hard-to-reach spots can need special equipment for grading or pouring, and that raises labor.
• Add-ons. A driveway extension runs about $12 to $18 per square foot.

The ground under a driveway changes across the Inland Empire. Federal soil data shows clay that swells when wet and shrinks when dry across much of Menifee. In San Bernardino, almost all sampled ground rates low on that scale. Soil is one more reason a firm quote starts with a look at the site.

Do you need a permit for a new driveway?

On your own lot, often not. Riverside County lists driveways up to 30 inches above grade as exempt from a building permit. The cities of Riverside and San Bernardino print the same rule.

Zoning and setback rules still apply, so the permit office for your address has the final word. In Homeland and the other unincorporated towns, that office is Riverside County Building and Safety.

The street side is a separate matter. Work in the public right of way needs its own permit. On a state highway like Highway 74 through Homeland, Caltrans issues an encroachment permit for driveways.

On county roads, the county Transportation Department requires one for driveway work in the right of way. That strip often runs well past the pavement to private land. The county’s posted fee schedule lists $186 per residential driveway approach, permit and inspection together. It says most permits are issued within 14 working days.

Curb and gutter work needs a right of way permit and a contractor who does public street work. Our driveway work stays on your side of the property line. If your project needs a new approach or curb cut, plan for that separate permit and contractor.

Digging has its own rule. California law requires whoever digs to contact DigAlert at least two working days before the dig. By state law, the ticket costs nothing.

Concrete versus asphalt or pavers: which costs less?

Asphalt usually costs a little less to put in than concrete. Around the Inland Empire, asphalt runs about $7.50 to $18 per square foot and concrete $9 to $23. When you compare all three, pavers cost the most up front.

Asphalt needs a fresh seal coat every 3 to 5 years and lasts about half as long as concrete. One guide rates asphalt better for cold climates and concrete better for warm ones. Concrete reflects heat and stays cooler underfoot in summer.

Pavers are a separate trade, so we leave them to paver installers. For a patio, our concrete versus pavers guide weighs the two side by side.

How do you get a firm price for your driveway?

A cost guide gives you a range. A firm number takes a look at the site. We look at the job and put the quote in writing.

A clear written quote spells out:

• the square feet and the slab thickness
• removal and haul-off of an old drive, if there is one
• the base and the reinforcement under the slab
• the finish and the control joints
• where the work stops at the street

BGC Construction pours driveways for homeowners across western Riverside County and the Inland Empire. To price your own driveway, call or text (951) 483-4138. You can also read about new concrete driveways and driveway replacement before you call.