Almost every concrete driveway in Maryland cracks eventually. Freeze-thaw cycles, road salt and clay soils that swell and shrink make sure of it. A cracked driveway doesn't automatically need replacing. The type of crack, not the number, decides.
READ THE CRACKS
| What You See | Usually Means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Hairline cracks | Normal shrinkage | Seal the surface; monitor |
| Cracks up to 1/4 inch, level on both sides | Minor movement | Clean and fill with flexible crack sealant |
| One side higher than the other | Soil settling or tree roots | Level the sunken slab, or replace the section |
| Spalling (flaking surface) | Salt and freeze-thaw damage | Resurface if the base is sound |
| Web of cracks, crumbling, many sunken areas | Base failure | Replace |
REPAIR OPTIONS
- Crack filling: routing and filling cracks with polyurethane sealant keeps water out of the base, which is what turns small cracks into big ones.
- Slab leveling: sunken sections can be lifted by injecting foam or grout underneath. It's faster and cheaper than replacing, if the slab itself is intact.
- Resurfacing: a thin overlay over a structurally sound but scaled or spalled surface.
- Section replacement: cutting out and repouring the worst slab or two. The new concrete won't match the old color exactly.
WHEN TO REPLACE
- More than about a quarter of the driveway needs repair
- Cracks keep widening year after year
- Trip hazards or drainage pooling toward the house or garage
- The driveway is 25 to 30+ years old and failing in several places
WHAT IT COSTS
| Job | Typical DMV Cost |
|---|---|
| Crack filling and sealing | $300 – $900 |
| Slab leveling, per section | $600 – $1,500 |
| Resurfacing overlay | $4 – $8 per sq ft |
| Full tear-out and replacement | $9 – $16 per sq ft |
A typical two-car driveway (around 600 sq ft) runs roughly $6,000 to $10,000 to replace. Permits are often required for work at the curb or apron; requirements vary by county.
Skip rock salt on concrete less than a year old, and use sand or a concrete-safe deicer on any driveway. Sealing every few years protects against salt damage; see our concrete sealing guide.
RELATED READING
CONCRETE WORK COST GUIDE: DC, MD & VA (2026)
Driveways, patios, walkways, steps — what concrete work costs in the DMV and what drives the final number up or down.
CONCRETE SEALING: COST, TIMING & WHY
How often to seal patios and driveways, what it costs, and the best window before winter.
STAMPED CONCRETE PATIOS: COST & PATTERNS IN THE DMV
Cost per square foot vs. pavers, the most popular patterns, sealing schedules, and honest talk about concrete cracking.
Planning a project? See our Concrete Work service page for scope, process and recent work.
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