Get matched with top concrete driveway pros in Ely, NV

Building a concrete driveway normally takes between one and three days, including the time to cure the concrete. Wait at least seven days before driving on your driveway and two days before walking on it. Your contractor may require additional time if you need to level the ground, install a drainage system, or order special concrete materials. Installing a driveway also often requires a permit, so be sure to include this wait into your prep time as well.

Concrete can take up to 28 days to completely harden, depending on the type and its water content. But it dries enough for foot traffic in 24 to 48 hours. If you're curious about how long it takes concrete to dry entirely, the answer is more complex, so always check with the specific mixture instructions before adding heavy machinery or driving on new concrete.

You should water new concrete by spraying it five to 10 times per day for the first seven days. This process of moist curing allows the concrete to become as strong as possible to prevent cracks and weak concrete. Moist-cured concrete is 50% stronger than concrete that was not sprayed with water during the first week. The only exception is if you pour concrete in the winter. Then, spraying with water is not recommended.

The cost to install a concrete driveway is $4 to $15 per square foot on average. Your price heavily depends on your desired concrete finish and driveway size. 

For a driveway that is 200 square feet, you can expect to pay an average cost of $1,900. For a driveway at double that size (400 square feet), the average price is closer to $3,800. Plain concrete is significantly more cost-effective, averaging $7 per square foot, whereas stained concrete averages around $19 per square foot.