Concrete Driveway Calculator
To pour a 9 × 18 ft single-car driveway at 5 inches thick you need about 2.5 cubic yards of concrete plus 5% waste — roughly 119 bags of 80 lb mix, though ready-mix delivery is almost always cheaper at driveway scale.
Reviewed by The ponderloop teamUpdated 2026-07-11How we calculate
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0 cu yd + 0% waste = 0 cu yd
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How this number is calculated
0 cu yd (no waste added) ÷ 0.0222 cu yd per bag = 0 bags
Shopping list
- 80 lb concrete mix
- Mixing tub
- Finishing trowel
- Rebar or wire mesh reinforcement
- Concrete sealer
- Concrete edger
0.0 cu yd — ~0% of a standard truck load
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Methodology & assumptions
Volume is calculated as driveway length × width × (thickness in inches ÷ 12), then divided by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards. A waste percentage is added for spillage and uneven subgrade, and the result is divided by the coverage per bag (about 0.0222 cu yd for an 80 lb bag) and rounded up to the next whole bag. Driveways almost always exceed 1 cubic yard, so ready-mix delivery is usually the more economical and practical choice over bagged mix.
- ACI 318 concrete practice (waste allowance)
- Manufacturer bag-yield specs (80 lb ≈ 0.60 cu ft)
- Typical US ready-mix and bag price ranges, 2026
Worked examples
| Room | Result |
|---|---|
| 9 × 18 ft single-car driveway, 5 in thick, minimal waste | 2.50 cu yd + 5% waste ≈ 2.63 cu yd → 119 bags |
| 10 × 20 ft driveway, 5 in thick, standard waste | 3.09 cu yd + 10% waste ≈ 3.40 cu yd → 153 bags |
| 12 × 24 ft two-car driveway, 5 in thick, standard waste | 4.44 cu yd + 10% waste ≈ 4.89 cu yd → 221 bags |
Frequently asked questions
- How much concrete do I need for a driveway?
- Multiply the driveway length by width in feet, multiply by the thickness in feet (inches divided by 12), then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards. Add 10% for waste, then divide by the coverage per bag (about 0.0222 cu yd for an 80 lb bag) and round up.
- How thick should a concrete driveway be?
- Most residential driveways run 4-6 inches thick. Use 4 inches for a car-only driveway on stable soil, and 5-6 inches (this calculator defaults to 5) if the driveway will also see trucks, RVs, or trailers — thicker concrete resists cracking under heavier, repeated loads.
- Do I need rebar or wire mesh in a driveway?
- Yes — driveways carry vehicle loads, so reinforcement is standard practice even though it does not change the concrete volume this calculator estimates. Rebar (typically a grid on 18-24 in. centers) or welded wire mesh both work; rebar is generally preferred for thicker slabs and areas with poor soil or a lot of freeze-thaw cycling.
- Is bagged concrete practical for a driveway?
- Rarely. Even a small single-car driveway typically needs 2+ cubic yards, which is 90+ bags of 80 lb mix — mixed and placed by hand before the concrete starts to set. For anything beyond a short apron or patch, ready-mix delivered by truck is almost always cheaper and far less labor.
- Should I round up or down when figuring out how much concrete to order?
- Always round up. Running short mid-pour is a serious problem with concrete since it starts setting once mixed, and a driveway is a large, highly visible surface where a cold joint from a delayed second batch or truck is hard to hide.