Concrete Driveway in Redmond, Oregon: Cost & Install

Quick Verdict

A concrete driveway in Redmond is built differently than one in the valley, because the High Desert means real freeze-thaw. Deschutes County's fast-draining volcanic soils help keep water away from the slab, but the winters east of the Cascades flake the surface off any concrete that was not poured for the cold. The fix is a freeze-rated air-entrained mix, a compacted base, proper joints, and protecting the pour while it cures. Expect a four-inch residential slab, thicker for heavy vehicles. Below we break down what drives the price in Redmond, how the install runs, and how to keep the driveway from spalling.

Why Redmond Changes the Job

Redmond sits in Central Oregon's high desert, off Highway 97. The soils here are shallow, rocky, and often volcanic — pumice, cinder, and gravel that drain fast. Good drainage is a help, but the climate is the real factor. Unlike the wet, mild valley, Redmond gets genuine freeze-thaw: thaw by day, freeze by night, over and over through winter.

That cycling is hard on a driveway. Water soaks into the top of the slab, freezes, expands, and flakes the surface off — spalling. The defense is an air-entrained concrete mix made for freeze cycles, a solid base, control joints, sealing, and cure protection. A driveway poured the same way it would be in Eugene will pit and scale within a couple of Redmond winters. Our winter concrete protection guide covers the freeze detailing in full.

What Drives the Cost in Redmond

Concrete driveways are priced per square foot, and the rate moves with conditions:

• Size and shape. A straight drive costs less per foot than a curved one. Many desert acreage lots have long drives.
• Freeze-rated mix. Air entrainment and proper detailing add modest cost — and prevent spalling.
• Tear-out. Removing an old asphalt or gravel drive adds cost.
• Base work. Even on fast-draining soil, a compacted rock base is needed.
• Finish. Broom finish is cheaper than exposed aggregate or stamped.

Industry Baseline Range: a standard broom-finish concrete driveway in Central Oregon generally runs in the range of $9 to $16 per square foot+, with freeze-rated mixes, decorative finishes, and heavy site prep pushing higher. 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.

Current Market Reality

Cement, rebar, and fuel costs have climbed, and Central Oregon's building activity keeps good crews booked through the short pour season. The cheapest bid usually skipped the freeze-rated mix or the cure protection — and that is exactly the work that keeps a Redmond driveway from flaking apart. For the broader picture, start with our Oregon concrete services guide.

How a Concrete Driveway Goes In

A driveway pour in Redmond follows the standard sequence, with desert detailing:

1. Excavate and grade. Strip topsoil, set the slope so water drains away.
2. Build the base. Place and compact crushed rock for a firm foundation.
3. Form and reinforce. Set forms to grade, add rebar or wire mesh.
4. Pour a freeze-rated mix. Place air-entrained concrete and apply the finish.
5. Joint, cure, and protect. Cut joints and shield the slab from early freezing.

The right thickness depends on what drives on it — our concrete driveway thickness guide covers residential versus heavier loads.

Mix, Thickness, and Joints for Freeze Country

Element	Redmond spec	Why it matters here
Concrete mix	Air-entrained, freeze-rated	Resists spalling from freeze-thaw
Slab thickness	4 inches (more for RVs/trucks)	Spreads load, adds durability
Base rock	Compacted crushed aggregate	Stable, draining foundation
Control joints	Cut at planned spacing	Steers cracking to hidden lines
Sealer	Quality concrete sealer	Keeps water and de-icers out

Air entrainment is the detail that separates a Redmond-ready driveway from a valley one. Those tiny air bubbles give freezing water room to expand without flaking the surface.

Curing in a Short, Cold Season

Central Oregon's pour season is shorter than the valley's because fresh concrete must not freeze while it gains strength. A good crew times the pour for the warm part of the year, watches overnight lows, and uses blankets or enclosures when needed. Late spring through early fall is the safe window. Off-season pours are possible with heat and accelerators, but they cost more and take careful planning.

The Bottom Line

A concrete driveway in Redmond lasts decades when it is built for the High Desert: a freeze-rated air-entrained mix, a compacted base, proper thickness, control joints, sealing, and cure protection. Pour it like a valley slab and you will be looking at spalling within a couple of winters. Cojo handles our concrete services across Redmond, Deschutes County, and statewide Oregon. Request a quote and we will walk your property before pricing the job.