How Much Does a Concrete Driveway or Patio Cost in Seattle? 2026 Price Guide

Concrete cost per square foot in Seattle

Plain broom-finish concrete poured four inches thick over a compacted gravel base runs roughly $7–$13 per square foot in the Seattle market, and adding rebar or wire mesh reinforcement, which we recommend for every driveway, brings it to $8–$14. Local estimating data puts the average Seattle driveway project at about $6,700 for 600 square feet, or just over $11 per square foot, with roughly a third of the cost in labor and the rest in material, forms, base rock and disposal. Small pours cost more per square foot because the truck, crew and pump cost the same whether they place 100 or 600 square feet, so a short walkway may price at $15–$20 per foot while a long driveway comes in under $10.

Typical project totals

A 12-by-30-foot single-car driveway runs $3,000–$5,200 reinforced. A 24-by-40-foot two-car driveway runs $8,100–$13,800. A long 24-by-60-foot driveway for a deep Eastside lot runs $12,100–$20,800. A 300-square-foot backyard patio lands at $2,400–$4,500, a 500-square-foot patio at $4,000–$7,000, and a front walkway with two or three steps at $1,500–$4,000. Garage and shop slabs price like driveways but often need a thicker edge and a vapor barrier, adding 10–15%.

Tear-out, grading and drainage

Removing an existing driveway and hauling the rubble adds $1.50–$2.40 per square foot, so budget $1,000–$2,500 to demolish a two-car driveway before the new one goes in. Seattle's clay soils and 37 inches of annual rain make the sub-base the most important part of the job: we excavate soft material, place and compact 4–6 inches of crushed rock, and slope the slab away from the house. If water currently pools against the garage or foundation, a trench drain or a tie-in to the downspout system adds $800–$2,500 but prevents the heaving and settling that crack new concrete within a few winters. Our water damage repair guide explains what happens when that drainage is ignored.

Decorative finishes: broom, exposed aggregate and stamped

A broom finish is included in the base price and gives the best traction on wet, sloped Seattle driveways. Exposed aggregate adds about $3–$5 per square foot, hides stains and moss, and stays slip-resistant, which makes it the most popular upgrade for patios and walkways. Stamped and colored concrete adds $5–$8 per square foot and mimics flagstone, slate or pavers at well below the cost of the real thing, though it needs resealing every two to three years to hold its color in our rain. If you are weighing stamped concrete against real pavers, our paver patio page covers the trade-offs; pavers cost more up front but can be lifted and relaid if the ground moves.

Permits for driveways and patios

A patio or walkway on your own property usually needs no building permit, although Seattle, Bellevue and most Eastside cities cap how much of a lot can be covered by impervious surface and may require drainage review for large pours. A new or widened driveway apron, curb cut or sidewalk crossing in the public right-of-way does need a street-use permit from SDOT in Seattle or the transportation department in your city, typically $120–$240 in fees plus inspections. Blue Lake handles the application, the traffic-control plan if one is required and every inspection, and our guide to Washington construction permits explains the rules city by city.

Timing a pour in Western Washington

Concrete can be placed any month in Seattle, but the easiest window is late April through early October, when the ground is dry and temperatures stay above 40°F overnight. Winter pours are possible with curing blankets and a dry forecast, and we schedule them around rain. Plan on walking on a new slab after 24–48 hours, parking on it after 7 days and full design strength at 28 days. Because spring books quickly, homeowners who want a new driveway before summer should get on the schedule in winter, and bundling the driveway with a new deck, patio cover or fence lets one crew mobilize once.

How to make a Seattle slab last 30 years

The slabs that fail early in our region share the same causes: no reinforcement, a thin or uncompacted base, missing control joints and water left to sit against the edge. We specify a 4,000 psi air-entrained mix that resists freeze-thaw spalling, cut control joints at 8–10-foot spacing so cracks happen where they are planned, and apply a penetrating sealer after curing. A quick power wash and reseal every few years keeps moss from taking hold.

Get a fixed price for your driveway or patio

Blue Lake Construction pours concrete driveways, patios, walkways, steps and slabs across Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Lynnwood, Everett, Sammamish, Issaquah, Renton, Mercer Island and Kent. Visit our concrete services page or request a free estimate for an itemized, fixed price before we break ground.