A worked example
Take a common case: a two-car driveway about 20 feet wide and 30 feet long, roughly 600 square feet, cracked and sunken, on a street with a curb. Here's how a replacement typically prices out in 2026.
| Line | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Break out and haul off the old driveway (600 sq ft) | $1,200 – $2,400 |
| Excavation and compacted crushed base | $900 – $1,800 |
| New 5-in slab with rebar on chairs, broom finish, saw-cut joints | $4,200 – $6,600 |
| Dowels into the garage slab and isolation joints | $200 – $500 |
| City permit for the approach, if the approach is replaced | Per the City's fee schedule |
| Typical total | $6,500 – $11,300 |
A plain driveway without removal, on a new build or a former gravel drive, comes in lower. Decorative finishes, thicker concrete, a new approach, a culvert or a long drive push it higher.
At the street
The approach, meaning the part between your property line and the street, sits in the public right-of-way. In the City of Houston, residential driveway work there goes through a Houston Public Works permit, with plan review and inspections. In unincorporated Harris County, such as much of Cypress, Spring and Atascocita, the County Engineering Department permits driveways and culverts in its right-of-way, including widening and repair. On ditch streets, the culvert pipe under the approach is sized by the permit, not by us, and replacing an undersized or crushed one is a real part of the cost.
Where it's worth spending
- Base. On clay, a firm, even, compacted base is the most valuable dollar in the job.
- Thickness. Five inches instead of four buys stiffness for not much more.
- Rebar on chairs. Steel that ends up in the middle of the slab, not in the dirt.
- Joints cut the same day. Free, if the crew plans for it; expensive to skip.
Where you can save
- Keep the approach if it's in good shape and the permit isn't otherwise needed.
- Replace only the worst panels if the rest are sound, or lift sunken ones.
- Choose broom finish now; a decorative border can be added at a walk later.
Questions people ask
How long does a driveway replacement take?
Typically a day or two for removal and prep, a day to form and set steel, the pour, then about a week before you drive on it. Permits add their own time up front.
Can I park on the street during the work?
Usually, if your street allows it. Plan for about a week without the driveway.
Should I replace the approach too?
If it's cracked, sunken or the wrong slope, it's usually best to do it at the same time, under the permit. If it's sound, we can tie into it.
Is a new driveway worth it when selling?
A broken driveway is one of the first things buyers see. A replacement or targeted repair often helps, but talk to your agent about which makes sense.
Keep reading: Concrete cost in Houston · Permits in Houston · Concrete driveways