Foster Hayward Concrete

We get this question from almost every customer: “What’s a concrete driveway going to run me?” The honest answer is it depends — but we can give you real numbers, not the vague $4–$15 range you see on most websites. Here’s what we actually charge and why.

Concrete Driveway Cost in Tennessee: What to Expect

Most residential concrete driveways in the Nashville area fall between $6 and $12 per square foot installed. A standard two-car driveway (around 600 square feet) runs $3,600–$7,200 depending on the finish and site conditions.

Driveway Type	Cost Per Sq Ft	600 Sq Ft Estimate
Plain Broom Finish	$6–$8	$3,600–$4,800
Exposed Aggregate	$8–$10	$4,800–$6,000
Stamped Concrete	$10–$15	$6,000–$9,000
Colored Concrete	$8–$12	$4,800–$7,200

These numbers reflect real projects we’ve done across Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, and the rest of Middle Tennessee. Your quote might be higher or lower depending on your specific site — more on that below.

What Actually Drives the Price Up (or Down)

Size

Bigger driveways cost more total but usually less per square foot. A small one-car driveway might run $8–$9/sq ft because setup costs are spread over less area. A long three-car driveway can drop to $6–$7/sq ft.

Thickness

We pour residential driveways at 4 inches minimum. If you have heavy trucks, RVs, or a boat trailer that’ll park on it regularly, go to 5 or 6 inches. The extra concrete is maybe $0.50–$1.00/sq ft more and it’s cheap insurance against cracking.

Removal of the Old Driveway

Demo and hauling away an old concrete or asphalt driveway usually adds $1–$2 per square foot. It’s not glamorous work, but disposing of concrete properly costs money. Some companies skip proper disposal — ask where your demo debris is going.

Site Prep and Grading

Tennessee clay soil is not forgiving. If the ground isn’t properly graded and compacted — with a solid gravel base — you’ll have a cracked driveway in 3–5 years regardless of how good the concrete is. This is where cut-rate contractors cut corners. Don’t let them.

Finish Type

Plain broom finish is what most people get and it looks great — clean lines, good traction. Stamped concrete adds pattern work and color and runs about $4–$6 more per square foot. Exposed aggregate splits the difference in both price and appearance.

Slope and Drainage

A flat driveway on flat ground is the easiest pour. Sloped sites, curves, or driveways that need drainage work (channel drains, etc.) add labor time. We always account for proper drainage — standing water on a driveway isn’t just annoying, it accelerates freeze-thaw damage.

Why Concrete — Not Asphalt — in Tennessee?

Asphalt is cheaper upfront — typically $3–$5/sq ft versus $6–$8 for concrete. But asphalt needs to be sealed every 2–3 years and resurfaced every 10–15 years. In Tennessee’s summer heat, asphalt gets soft enough to dent under high heels or a kickstand. Concrete lasts 30–40 years with almost no maintenance. Do the math over a 20-year period and concrete almost always wins.

How Long Does a Concrete Driveway Last?

A properly installed concrete driveway in Tennessee should last 30–40 years. The word “properly” is doing a lot of work in that sentence. Good concrete poured on bad prep will fail early. We’ve seen driveways crack within 2–3 years because the base wasn’t compacted or the concrete was too thin. We’ve also seen 40-year-old driveways that still look solid because the original contractor did it right.

What to Watch Out For When Getting Bids

A few red flags we see regularly:

• No written quote — always get it in writing with thickness, reinforcement, and finish specified
• Suspiciously low price — under $5/sq ft in today’s market usually means thin concrete, no rebar, or no base prep
• No proof of insurance — if a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor has no insurance, you’re exposed
• Vague timeline — ask when your project will be scheduled and how many days it’ll take

Get a Free Estimate in Middle Tennessee

Foster Hayward Concrete is a veteran-owned concrete contractor based in Lebanon, TN. We do driveways throughout Wilson County, Rutherford County, Davidson County, Williamson County, and the surrounding area. Call (615) 359-4128 for a free on-site estimate — we’ll come out, measure, and give you a written quote with no pressure to sign.

Also see: Concrete Driveways | Concrete vs. Asphalt: Which Is Better? | Repair or Replace Your Driveway?

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