Concrete Driveways in Missouri
A driveway fails from the bottom up. Most of the cracked, sunken concrete we tear out didn't fail because of the mix — it failed because the base under it was never compacted properly or the slab was poured too thin for what parks on it.
What a driveway pour actually involves
Tear-out and haul-off of the old slab if there is one, excavation to depth, then a compacted granular base. Forms get set to hold the right slope so water runs off instead of pooling. Reinforcement goes in, the pour is placed and screeded, then floated, edged, jointed, and finished — usually a broom finish for traction. Control joints are cut at planned spacing so the slab cracks where we put the joint instead of across the middle.
Thickness and reinforcement
Four inches is standard for passenger vehicles. If trucks, RVs, or equipment will be on it, that goes up — and the reinforcement changes with it. We'd rather size it right the first time than come back to replace a slab that was built for the wrong load.
What it costs in mid-Missouri
Local cost surveys put concrete driveways in the Columbia, MO market around $6–$11 per square foot for un-reinforced concrete, which works out to roughly $2,200–$4,000 for a typical 12' x 30' driveway. If an old driveway has to come out first, budget another $1.30–$2.00 per square foot. Those are market ranges to set expectations, not a quote — thickness, access, base condition, and reinforcement all move the number. You get a real figure after a walkthrough.
When to repair instead of replace
Surface cracks and spalling on an otherwise solid slab can often be repaired. Once the base has failed and sections are settling at different heights, patching buys a season at most. We'll tell you which one you're looking at.
Where we pour
Concrete Driveways is available statewide across Missouri. We're based in Fulton and work most often in Fulton, Columbia, Jefferson City, Holts Summit, Ashland, Kingdom City, New Bloomfield, Auxvasse, Lake of the Ozarks, and Mexico.
Reading on concrete driveways
Other work we do
Answers before you call.
How long before I can drive on a new concrete driveway?
Usually about 7 days for normal vehicles. You can typically walk on it in 24–48 hours. Full design strength takes roughly 28 days. You'll get exact timing for your pour before we leave the site.
Do you remove the old driveway?
Yes. Tear-out and haul-off are included on replacement jobs.
Why does new concrete get cracks?
Concrete shrinks as it cures, so it will crack somewhere. Control joints are cut to decide where. Properly jointed and prepped slabs crack at the joints, which is by design and not a defect.
Get your free estimate.
Answer four quick questions and we'll get back to you to set up a walkthrough. No cost, no obligation.