A concrete driveway in Bellingham costs $8 to $18 per square foot in 2026, and the finish you choose is the single biggest reason for that spread. A plain broom finish sits near the bottom, stamped and exposed-aggregate finishes near the top. But the part of the job that decides whether your driveway is still flat and crack-free in ten years isn't the finish at all, it's the grade and the control joints underneath the pretty surface. This guide covers what each finish costs and what actually makes a driveway last in our climate.
For a typical two-car driveway of about 600 square feet, expect roughly $4,800 to $10,800 depending on finish, thickness, and how much grading and tear-out the job needs. Per square foot, here's how the finishes compare.
Driveway cost by finish.
| Finish | Cost per sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broom finish | $8 to $11 | The workhorse. Slip-resistant, durable, cheapest. |
| Exposed aggregate | $12 to $16 | Stone surface, great grip, hides wear. |
| Stamped concrete | $14 to $18 | Patterned and colored, the premium look. |
| Colored (integral or stain) | +$1 to $3 | Add-on to any finish above. |
A broom finish is the most common driveway finish for a reason. It's poured, then dragged with a broom to leave a fine texture that sheds water and gives tires grip. It's the cheapest and one of the most durable. Exposed aggregate washes the top layer of cement off to reveal the stone, giving a textured, high-grip surface that hides cracks and wear well, which suits our wet climate. Stamped concrete presses a pattern and color into the surface to mimic stone or brick, and it's the premium choice for a patio or an entry driveway you want to show off.
What you don't see is what makes it last.
Two driveways can look identical on day one and be completely different jobs underneath. Here's where the real quality, and the real cost, lives.
- The subbase. A driveway is only as stable as the compacted gravel under it. Pour on soft or poorly compacted ground and it will settle and crack no matter how good the finish is. We excavate and compact a real subbase before any concrete goes down.
- The grade. A driveway has to be pitched to move water away from your house and garage. Get this wrong and water pools against the foundation or runs into the garage every time it rains, which here is often.
- Control joints. Concrete cracks, it's what it does as it cures and as the ground moves. Control joints are saw-cut lines that tell the slab where to crack, so it splits on a clean, planned line instead of randomly across the middle. Spacing them right is a craft.
- Thickness and rebar. A driveway carries cars and sometimes trucks, so it needs to be thicker and better reinforced than a walkway. We size the thickness and the rebar to the traffic.
How long does a concrete driveway take?
From tear-out to a surface you can drive on, most driveways are a 5 to 7 day project. The pour itself is one day, but concrete needs time to cure. You can usually walk on it the next day, but it takes about 5 to 7 days in our climate before it's strong enough to park a vehicle on. We protect the cure in cold or wet stretches so the concrete gains strength properly, which matters a lot here, where you can't count on a dry week.
Does a concrete driveway need a permit in Bellingham?
A simple replacement driveway on the same footprint often doesn't, but if you're adding a new driveway, widening one, or changing how it connects to the street, the City of Bellingham or Whatcom County may require a permit or a right-of-way review for the approach. We check this for every job and handle it when it applies, so you don't get a surprise from the city after the pour.
Broom or stamped: which should you pick?
If it's a working driveway and budget matters, a broom finish gives you the best value and the longest life per dollar. If it's a front entry or a patio where looks count, stamped or exposed aggregate is worth the premium. Either way, insist on a real subbase, proper grade, and correct control joints, because that's what you're actually buying. For the full process and current ranges, see our driveways and flatwork page, or request a free quote and we'll measure it.
Common questions.
How much does a concrete driveway cost in Bellingham?
A concrete driveway in Bellingham costs $8 to $18 per square foot in 2026. A typical 600-square-foot driveway runs roughly $4,800 to $10,800. The finish drives most of the spread: broom finish is the low end, while stamped and exposed-aggregate finishes are the high end.
What is the cheapest concrete driveway finish?
A broom finish is the cheapest, at roughly $8 to $11 per square foot, and it's also one of the most durable. It gives a slip-resistant texture that sheds water and grips tires, which makes it a strong choice for our wet climate. Stamped and colored finishes cost more for the look.
How long before I can drive on a new concrete driveway?
You can usually walk on it the next day, but concrete needs about 5 to 7 days in our climate to gain enough strength to park a vehicle on. We give you the exact window for your pour and protect the cure during cold or wet stretches so the concrete reaches full strength.
Why do concrete driveways crack, and can it be prevented?
Concrete moves as it cures and as the ground shifts, so some cracking is normal. We control it with a compacted subbase, proper thickness and rebar, and saw-cut control joints that make the slab crack on planned lines instead of randomly. Skipping the subbase or the joints is what leads to the bad cracking you want to avoid.