Concrete Driveway in Gresham, Oregon: Cost & Install

Quick Verdict

A concrete driveway in Gresham costs more to install than asphalt but rewards you with decades of low-maintenance service when it is built for Multnomah County clay and the colder east-metro winters. Price is driven by square footage, slab thickness, reinforcement, demolition of any old surface, and access. Because Gresham sits near the Columbia Gorge and sees more freeze events than inner Portland, drainage that keeps water from sitting and freezing is a bigger deal here. A standard residential driveway is 4 to 6 inches thick over a compacted base, reinforced for vehicle loads, with control joints and slope so water drains off. Build the base and drainage right and the slab outlasts the mortgage.

What a Concrete Driveway Costs in Gresham

Concrete driveways are priced per square foot, and the install covers far more than the pour.

Industry Baseline Range: a new concrete driveway in the Gresham area typically runs in the range of $9 to $18 per square foot for a standard broom finish, with thicker reinforced slabs and decorative finishes running $14 to $28 per square foot+. These are industry baseline ranges for planning only — actual pricing depends on lot size, access, condition, and current market conditions. Get a site-specific quote.

What moves the number:

• Demolition. Removing an old driveway adds tear-out, haul-off, and disposal.
• Access. A driveway a truck can reach is cheaper than a fenced backyard slab.
• Thickness and rebar. Heavier slabs for RVs or multiple vehicles cost more — see concrete driveway thickness.
• Drainage. With Gresham's freeze events, slope and channel drains do real work — see driveway drainage and slope.
• Finish. Broom is baseline; exposed aggregate or stamped costs more.

Current Market Reality

Ready-mix and labor prices track material and fuel costs. The reliable pour window is roughly May to October, so scheduling early gets you the dry days a clean pour and cure need. In Gresham, paying for proper drainage is smart — water that sits and then freezes in a Gorge cold snap is what damages slabs here.

The Install Process, Step by Step

A driveway that lasts in Gresham follows a clear sequence:

1. Excavate and grade. Remove the old surface and topsoil, then cut the sub-grade to the right depth and slope so water always drains away.
2. Build and compact the base. Place and compact crushed rock so the slab does not settle into the clay.
3. Form and reinforce. Set forms to the drainage slope and place rebar or wire mesh for vehicle loads.
4. Pour and finish. Place the concrete, screed it flat, and apply the chosen finish.
5. Cut control joints. Joint the slab at proper spacing so it cracks on the lines, not randomly.
6. Cure and protect. Keep the slab moist and protected as it gains strength — slower in our cool, damp climate.

Why Gresham Conditions Matter

• Multnomah County clay. Clay holds water and moves seasonally. Without a compacted, well-drained base, a slab settles and cracks. The base is the job.
• Cold Gorge winds. East winds bring colder air and more freeze events than inner Portland. Drainage that keeps water from sitting is the best defense against freeze damage.
• Wet winters. Rain keeps water in the ground; slope and drainage keep it off the slab.
• Foothill grades. Toward the east, more grade means more attention to runoff and drainage.

For the broader build and finishing options, see our Oregon concrete services guide, and for full flatwork, our Gresham concrete contractor page.

Concrete vs. Asphalt for a Gresham Driveway

Factor	Concrete	Asphalt
Up-front cost	Higher	Lower
Lifespan	Longer, decades	Shorter, needs resurfacing
Maintenance	Low; occasional sealing	Sealcoat and crack-seal cycle
Look	Light, custom finishes	Uniform black
Best for	Long-term, decorative	Budget, fast install

Concrete wins on lifespan and finish options; asphalt wins on up-front cost and install speed. The right pick depends on your budget and how long you plan to stay.

The Bottom Line

A concrete driveway in Gresham is a long-term investment that pays off when the base and drainage are built for Multnomah County clay and the colder east-metro winters. Expect a per-square-foot range driven by thickness, reinforcement, demolition, and access — and make sure the bid covers the base, joints, and slope, with extra attention to keeping water from sitting and freezing. Cojo is CCB Licensed & Insured and pours driveways across Gresham and statewide Oregon as part of our concrete services. To price your driveway, get a driveway quote.