New Concrete Driveways in Cheyenne, WY

A new concrete driveway is a slab poured over a compacted gravel base, cut with control joints and cured so it reaches full strength. If you're building in Cheyenne or Laramie County, or replacing gravel or asphalt with concrete, we connect you with an independent concrete contractor who prepares the base, handles any approach permit and pours the driveway.

What makes a driveway last in Cheyenne?

A firm, well-drained base. Most driveway failures start underneath. Soft spots, organic soil and poorly compacted fill settle and leave the slab unsupported. The Wyoming State Geological Survey notes that some Wyoming geologic units contain or weather into shrink-swell clays that can crack structures and roads built on them without mitigation, so it's worth asking how the contractor checks the subgrade.
Air-entrained concrete. The Concrete in Practice sheet on scaling calls for 6 to 7 percent entrained air in severe freeze-thaw exposures with typical aggregate sizes. Concrete without enough air is a leading cause of surface scaling.
Control joints. Concrete shrinks as it cures and moves with temperature. Joints sawn or tooled at the right spacing give cracks a straight place to form.
Finishing and curing done right. Finishing while bleed water is on the surface, or letting the slab dry out early, weakens the top layer that takes the traffic and the snow shovel.

Why wind matters on pour day

Cheyenne has been reported as one of the windiest cities in the country, with winds averaging 12.9 mph. The Concrete in Practice sheet on plastic shrinkage cracking lists wind above 5 mph and low humidity as high-evaporation conditions, when the surface can dry faster than bleed water replaces it. Contractors handle that with windbreaks, fog spray, evaporation retarders and starting the cure right away. Ask what they'll do if a windy afternoon is forecast.

Freeze-thaw at altitude

At 6,086 feet, Cheyenne's freezing season usually runs from late September to mid-May, and chinook winds can push winter temperatures above 50°F on about twenty days between December and February. That back-and-forth means many freeze-thaw cycles each year, which is hard on any concrete that took on water or was finished poorly.

Things to settle before the pour

Width and layout: a third car, an RV pad or a turnaround is cheaper now than later
Slab thickness and whether reinforcement is used, especially where heavy vehicles park
Slope away from the garage and house so meltwater drains to the street
Whether the approach and curb cut need a city or county permit (see driveway extensions and approaches)
Finish: broom texture for traction, or a decorative option (see stamped and decorative concrete)

What drives the cost?

Square footage and thickness
Excavation, base material and compaction
Removal of existing gravel, asphalt or concrete
Reinforcement, joints and finish
Right-of-way work and permits for the approach

The contractor quotes after seeing the site. We don't set prices or provide estimates.

Areas we cover

Common questions

Does a new driveway in Cheyenne need a permit?

Work in the public right-of-way, such as an approach, curb cut or sidewalk, needs a City of Cheyenne right-of-way encroachment permit, and a new or additional access needs an access application first. Ask the contractor what applies to your lot.

How soon can I drive on new concrete?

It depends on the mix and the weather. Contractors commonly ask homeowners to wait several days for cars and longer for heavy vehicles. Follow the timeline your contractor gives you.

Can I put salt on my new driveway the first winter?

The Concrete in Practice sheet on scaling advises against calcium or sodium chloride deicers during the first year, and against ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate at any time.

Related services

More background: Cheyenne concrete driveway guide.

New concrete driveways in Cheyenne