Concrete Driveways in Seattle
Seattle ConcreteCONTRACTORS
(206) 566-0528
New and replacement driveways for Seattle homes, from short alley pads to steep front drives, built on a real base and sloped so water runs off.
- Removal and haul-away of the old driveway
- Compacted gravel base and reinforcement
- Apron and curb cut permits handled with SDOT
Get a driveway quote
Tell us about the project. We’ll call or email to talk it through.
What to know about concrete driveways in Seattle
A concrete driveway is mostly what you can’t see: the base under it, the thickness, the steel, and how it sheds water. The surface finish is the easy part. Most of the driveways we’re asked to replace in Seattle failed from underneath, on thin slabs poured over soft soil, or where water from the roof and the street ran under the edge for years.
Full replacement
Break out the old slab, haul it away, rebuild the base, and pour a new driveway with a better slope and joints.
New driveways
New homes, DADUs and lot changes that need a fresh drive or parking pad, sometimes off an alley.
Steep driveways
Seattle’s hills mean steep drives. Broom or textured finishes, careful joint layout and drains at the bottom keep them usable in winter.
Widening and parking pads
Adding a lane or a side pad. New concrete is doweled into the old so the two move together.
Aprons and curb cuts
The section between the sidewalk and the street is right-of-way work and goes through SDOT.
Decorative borders
Exposed aggregate or stamped bands along the edges dress up a plain broom-finished drive.
Options to talk through
| Finish | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Broom finish | Most driveways, and the default on steep slopes | Best traction wet or dry; plain look |
| Exposed aggregate | Hiding tire marks, leaf stains and moss | Textured and grippy; needs sealing |
| Integral color | Softening the look and glare | Color runs through the slab; new color won’t match old concrete exactly |
| Stamped | Front-of-house curb appeal | Needs resealing every few years and slip-resistant sealer on slopes |
How Seattle’s ground and weather affect concrete driveways
Thickness and steel
Driveways carry cars, so they get a thicker slab than a patio, with rebar or mesh and thickened edges where trucks turn.
Base on Seattle soil
Soft fill, clay pockets and wet spots get dug out and replaced with compacted gravel. This is the line item that decides how long the drive lasts.
Slope and drains
Driveways are sloped away from the garage. Where a drive runs down toward the house, a trench drain at the bottom is usually part of the plan.
Joints
Control joints are cut so cracks happen in straight lines. On a steep drive, joint spacing and texture also affect traction.
SDCI paving rule
Adding or replacing 750 sq ft or more of paving in Seattle generally needs an SDCI grading permit.
SDOT apron work
Aprons, curb cuts and any sidewalk crossing are right-of-way work with SDOT permits and City standards.
Planning a new driveway in Seattle?
Call to talk it through, or send a few details and photos.
How the job runs
- Measure and lookSize, slope, access, where water goes, and what’s under the old slab.
- Permits and demoAny SDCI or SDOT permits, then break-out and haul-away.
- Base, forms, steelExcavate, compact gravel, set forms and reinforcement.
- Pour and curePlace, finish and cut joints, then keep cars off while it cures.
What concrete driveways typically cost in the Seattle area
Ballpark numbers help you plan a budget before anyone visits. Use them as a starting point, not a promise.
| Finish | Typical installed range |
|---|---|
| Broom finish | $6–$10 per sq ft |
| Exposed aggregate | $8–$13 per sq ft |
| Integral color | $8–$14 per sq ft |
| Stamped | $10–$18 per sq ft |
Typical market ranges, not a quote from Seattle Concrete Contractors. These are ranges other Seattle-area concrete contractors publish for this work (Seattle Concrete (seattleconcrete.com) service pages, checked November 2026). Your price depends on size, access, removal, base work, finish and permits. We give a written quote after we understand the job.
What affects the price
These are the things that move a quote most, in roughly the order they matter.
Removal
Breaking out and hauling an old driveway is often a big share of the job.
Base work
Soft or wet soil needs more excavation and gravel.
Access and pumping
Steep or tight sites may need a pump.
Size and shape
Small or curved drives cost more per foot.
Finish
Stamped and colored finishes cost more than broom.
Permits
Large paving areas and apron work add permit steps.
What a good written quote should include
Whoever you hire, ask for these in writing. They’re what separate a slab that lasts from one that cracks in two winters.
Scope and size
The area, thickness and shape, so you can compare quotes on the same job.
Base and drainage
How deep the excavation goes, how much gravel, and where water goes.
Reinforcement and joints
Rebar or mesh, dowels into existing concrete, and joint spacing.
Finish and sealing
The finish, whether it’s sealed, and what upkeep to expect.
Removal and cleanup
Demolition, haul-away and site restoration.
Permits and schedule
Which permits apply, who pulls them, and cure time before use.
Concrete Driveways: common questions
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
Most residential driveways are poured thicker than patios, with reinforcement and thickened edges. The right thickness depends on the base, the soil and what will drive on it, which is why we look at the site first.
When can I drive on a new driveway?
Foot traffic after a day or two and cars after about a week in mild weather. Heavy trucks should wait longer. Cold, wet weather slows curing.
Do I need a permit to replace my driveway in Seattle?
Replacing 750 sq ft or more of paving generally needs an SDCI grading permit, and any work on the apron, curb cut or sidewalk needs an SDOT permit.
Why did my old driveway crack and sink?
Usually a thin slab on a poor base, water running under the edges, or tree roots. Fixing those is what makes the new one last.
Should I repair or replace?
A few cracked or sunken panels can sometimes be lifted or replaced. When the whole drive is breaking up, replacement is usually the better value. See concrete repair & leveling.
What finish is best for a steep driveway?
A broom finish or exposed aggregate gives the most grip when wet. Glossy sealers and smooth finishes are slick on a slope.
Other areas we serve
Concrete Driveways planning notes, permits and local conditions for each city we cover.
Driveways in BellevuePhotos are illustrative, not completed projects of ours.
Stamped Concrete
Concrete Sidewalks
Concrete Repair & Leveling
Retaining WallsTell us about your project
A few photos and rough measurements are enough to start. If you’re not sure what the job needs, describe the problem and we’ll talk it through.
Call (206) 566-0528 or use the quote form at the top of this page.
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Seattle Concrete Contractors | (206) 566-0528 | Seattle, WA