Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on a driveway proposal I received and want to make sure I'm not overpaying or missing out on important details. Here's a quick rundown of the plan:
- Excavate about 1540 sq/ft of gravel to prepare for new concrete (and repurpose some for a walkway, with hauling away the excess).
- Remove the old apron.
- Form a new driveway measuring roughly 75'x 24'.
- Use #3 rebar set 18" on center with 2" chairs for reinforcement.
- Pour a 6" thick slab of 4000 psi exterior concrete and finish it with a broom texture.
- Incorporate all necessary relief cuts as well.
This is for a property in Northern Michigan where the soil is quite sandy and gravelly. The old driveway was just stone from 1955, around 12-16' wide. To fit the new dimensions, we'll be using part of the lawn area for the total width of 24'.
Thanks for any input you can give!
2 Answers
Just a heads up, the typical thickness for a drive is usually around 4”, so the 6” should be good if you’ll have heavier traffic. The #3 rebar should suffice at 18” apart, but it doesn’t hurt to check with your contractor for specifics on joint spacing as well. It might also be worth discussing if the 12' sections you’re planning are manageable within your area because going wider could affect ongoing maintenance and aesthetic with your lawn.
I’d definitely recommend at least #4 rebar for better strength; it can make a big difference in durability. Also, if you're planning to have heavy vehicles like RVs or anything substantial driving over it, the 6” thickness is a smart choice. Just make sure to confirm the spacing for any relief cuts; 8-10' on center is usually solid.
Good to know! I really wanted to stick to 12' sections, but I'll check on how that affects everything. Thanks for the insight!