How Much Weight Can a Driveway Hold? (Detailed Breakdown)

A driveway may look like an extremely sturdy surface, but, like everything else, it has its limits. And when a driveway is under too much pressure, it may begin to crack. So, how much weight can a driveway hold? This is something we need to know to avoid any potential damage. 

A typical concrete driveway can hold up to 8,000 pounds.  This accounts for the concrete driveway being about four inches thick.  The weight limit may vary slightly if the driveway is made of different materials and the thickness of said material.

Of course, a lot of factors determine a driveway’s weight limits.  This article will delve into the different types of driveways and outline the weight limits of the types.  We’ll also discuss vehicle weights and the best way to build a driveway to support excess weight. 

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Driveway Types

Driveways, like other home fixtures, can come in a variety of sizes and can be made from various materials.

However, the most common styles of driveways are paved (asphalt), concrete, gravel, dirt, and brick.  In this section, we’ll discuss which holds the most weight.

How Much Weight Can a Paved Driveway Handle?

Paved driveways usually refer to asphalt paving, and these driveways can typically hold the standard 8,000 pounds. Of course, this weight may differ slightly depending on how thick the paving is. 

Additionally, your driveway needs the proper support to help it hold the weight of your vehicles.  This typically comes from granular-based aggregates, such as small gravel pieces.  

Also, your driveway needs to be properly maintained. 

If you notice your paved driveway is starting to show wear from daily use and is now cracked, be sure to use a crack filler and sealant on the crack as soon as you notice it. 

How Much Weight Can a Brick Driveway Hold?

Brick and other types of stone are surprisingly strong.  As long as they are placed properly, they can hold 15,000 pounds, over double what asphalt can handle. 

If you’re going to use brick for your driveway, we recommend using fired clay bricks.  These bricks are superheated to allow them extra strength. 

They also stand the test of time. They will not crack or crumble easily or quickly!

How Much Weight Can a Concrete Driveway Hold?

A correctly poured and cured concrete driveway can hold over 8,000 pounds before cracking and buckling.  Plus, concrete can hold various patterns and designs, making it an easy choice for a new driveway.

If you’re going to add patterns to your new concrete driveway, it’s doubly important you use a concrete sealer on the design.  This will help prevent cracks from forming when there is weight on the design. 

How Much Weight Can a Gravel Driveway Hold?

Gravel is often placed under asphalt or concrete to give extra support, but you don’t actually have to pour anything over it to have a strong driveway!  When poured thick enough, the gravel can still hold over 6,000 pounds. 

To help reinforce a gravel driveway, you’ll want to use a grid system to help keep the gravel in place. These grids help keep the gravel even, providing extra stability and weight bearing for the driveway.

How Strong Is Asphalt?

Four inches of asphalt poured onto an aggregate for a driveway can hold 8,000 pounds.  Considering that most cars weigh under 4,000 pounds, you can park your car on an asphalt driveway with no concern. 

Of course, how thick the asphalt is will affect its strength.  The thicker the asphalt, the less likely it is to crack.  But, the aggregate you use underneath the driveway is just as important. 

Use at least five inches of gravel for best results.

Construction & Driveways

If you are in the process of building a new house, a new driveway is also probably on your list.  This section tells you what you need for your driveway so it’s as strong and aesthetically pleasing as possible.

What PSI Should My Concrete Driveway Be?

Concrete driveways are ideally between 3,000-4,000 PSI.  This allows them to withstand harshly cold winters and intense summer rays without cracking or chipping.  It also allows them to withstand the weight of vehicles. 

Choosing the correct cement for your new driveway is vital to ensuring your driveway can withstand the weight of your vehicles. 

Of course, the aggregate also matters, so be sure to use a quality one! 

Is Wire Mesh Necessary in Concrete Driveways?

Wire mesh isn’t strictly necessary in concrete driveways, but it does help.  Wire mesh helps prevent cracks and improves the overall stability of your new driveway.  That being said, your driveway will still be strong if you forgo adding in the mesh. 

Adding the mesh may help strengthen your driveway, but you have other options to help prevent cracks. 

Whether you use the mesh or not, ensure you have a good sealer to help prevent and fix any cracks. 

How Can I Protect My Driveway During Construction?

If you are doing a construction project around your home, you must protect your driveway.  While it’s not feasible to protect against an extra ton of weight, you can protect against liquid and cracking using a mat.

You can add mats around the driveway where work is being done to help prevent cracks from dropped tools or chemical spills. 

Additionally, adding a sealant to your driveway is always a good idea to add an extra layer of protection.

Do Driveways Need Rebar?

Similar to wire mesh and gravel, rebar is not technically needed for a driveway, but it is a good way to reinforce the concrete and give it extra strength.  Make sure you place the rebar properly for the best support!

Additionally, if you use rebar for your new driveway, check into your local statutes and laws, as some places, such as Overland Park, Kansas, have strict rules about the use of rebar. 

Is 2500 PSI Concrete Good for a Driveway?

2,500 PSI concrete is a little low for a driveway.  Ideally, a driveway will use concrete between 3,000 and 4,000 PSI. 2,500 PSI concrete will crack easier and cannot support as much weight. 

You can use 2,500 PSI concrete for your driveway, but be wary.  Concrete with that low a PSI is more likely to crack, but it is cheaper, and you probably won’t save any money in the long run. 

After all, you’ll just have to fix the cracks.

How Do You Reinforce a Concrete Driveway?

There are a few options to reinforce a concrete driveway.  Before the concrete is poured, use a gravel-based aggregate for extra stability.  Then, use either wire mesh or rebar in the concrete for extra strength and stability. 

If your driveway has already cured, but you want to make it stronger, you may want to consider adding another couple of inches of concrete on top.  This will reinforce it. 

Additionally, adding a concrete sealant is always wise to add extra stability and crack resistance. 

Do You Need Gravel Under a Concrete Driveway?

You should always put at least three to four inches of gravel under concrete.  Not only does this help stabilize the poured concrete, but it also adds to the weight-bearing capacity of the finished driveway. 

It also helps your driveway’s water drainage, preventing cracks and other water-based issues. Driveways without gravel underneath are more susceptible to pooled water, eroding the concrete from the bottom up.

Weights and Thickness

Your driveway’s weight depends on the material you use, as discussed above, but you also need to know how thick that material is to ensure it can hold up to your vehicles.  We’ll talk about it now!

How Much Weight Will My Six-Inch Concrete Driveway Support?

Driveways with at least six inches of concrete can support over 8,000 pounds.  Of course, this weight needs to be spread out.  They can easily hold multiple vehicles without concern. 

As long as you’ve used concrete with a 3,000 or greater PSI, you shouldn’t have any issues with cracking or damage to the concrete. 

These driveways are designed to be able to hold up to daily use and have cars parked on them. They can hold their weight easily.

How Much Weight Can Four Inches of Concrete Hold?

A four-inch thick concrete driveway can safely hold up to 8,000 pounds.  Depending on the amount and type of aggregate underneath the concrete, this may be more or less. 

You can always add extra reinforcement to your concrete driveway if you don’t want it to be thicker.  Rebar and wire mesh are the top two choices. 

Both are installed in the wet concrete and allow for extra weight.

How Thick Should Concrete Be for Heavy Trucks?

If you’re going to have trucks and other heavy machinery traversing your driveway often, you’ll want your driveway to be at least eight inches thick.  Adding rebar can also help to reinforce the driveway.

Ideally, you wouldn’t have heavy trucks driving on your driveway often, but sometimes it’s impossible to prevent. 

As long as your driveway is thick enough, you shouldn’t have to worry about heavy trucks.

What Is the Best Thickness for an Asphalt Driveway?

An asphalt driveway should be between four and six inches thick for the best results.  This allows for daily wear and tear without concerns.  It’s also thick enough to prevent cracking and allows for proper water drainage. 

Additionally, adding at least three, or up to six, inches of gravel under the asphalt can really help your driveway hold excess weight.  It also helps with drainage, which can then prevent cracking. 

If you end up with cracks, it’s essential to seal them right away!

How Thick Should a Concrete Slab Be for a Driveway?

If you’re going to use slab concrete for a driveway, each piece should be between four and six inches thick.  Make sure they’re all the same thickness so your driveway doesn’t have weak points. 

Four inches thick is plenty strong enough to hold a regular car.  If you have a truck or other heavy machinery using the driveway often, six inches would be better, as it is sturdier. 

Driveways & Big Trucks

You may have big trucks visiting if you’re working on your home.  You already know that your driveway can handle your car, but what about heavy machinery? 

This section will discuss how heavy large machinery is and what your driveway can handle.

Will a Cement Truck Crack My Driveway?

Even if your driveway is six inches thick, a cement truck could still crack it, especially if the truck is completely full.  If possible, have the truck drive on grass or around your driveway as much as possible.

If you can avoid having the truck stop or stand on the driveway, that would be best.

Driveways aren’t meant for trucks that heavy, so unless you specifically designed your driveway to withstand heavy loads, it’s not recommended you have a cement truck drive on it.

Will a Dump Truck Damage My Driveway?

A full-size dump truck full of heavy material may damage your driveway.  You shouldn’t have a dump truck drive on or park on your driveway if it’s possible to avoid it. 

Having a dump truck park on your driveway can lead to cracks in the driveway.  Even thick driveways aren’t designed to be able to withstand the weight and pressure that a dump truck would put on them.

Will a Dump Truck Crack My Concrete Driveway?

Unless your driveway was poured especially thick and reinforced, a full dump truck driving over or parking on a concrete driveway would likely cause the driveway to crack.  Concrete driveways just aren’t built for the weight of a dump truck.

You should avoid having a dump truck drive down your concrete driveway to avoid your driveway cracking.  Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to avoid.

So, if you end up with cracks, seal them right away to avoid bigger problems in the future.

Related Questions

How Much Does a Dump Truck Weigh?

Dump trucks weigh at least 20,000 pounds on average.  This far exceeds a typical driveways weight capacity, typically around 8,000 pounds.  If the dump truck is fully loaded, it can weigh even more. 

A typical household driveway is not designed to have 20,000 pounds sitting on it or even just driving over it. 

The stress from a dump truck is likely to cause your driveway to buckle or crack, so you should endeavor to prevent a dump truck from driving on it.

Can You Put Blacktop on Top of Concrete?

Blacktop, or asphalt, is safe to be laid over concrete.  In fact, concrete is a great base for a stable foundation for blacktop.  It will help a driveway be sturdy and increase its weight-bearing ability. 

You’ll want to put around three inches of asphalt on top of the concrete, then seal it properly to ensure it’s watertight and unlikely to crack. 

The concrete itself should also be between three and five inches. 

Which Is Heavier, Concrete or Asphalt?

Concrete is heavier than asphalt when measured pound for pound.  That said, because their densities are so similar, they will act pretty much the same when used to make a driveway. 

For example, six inches of concrete and six inches of asphalt can hold almost exactly the same weight.

Therefore, you should compare prices for both materials before choosing which one you want your driveway to be. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you use concrete, asphalt, or gravel for your new driveway, you should be safe to park your cars without concern. All of these materials have the strength to hold multiple cars. 

Plus, if you use aggregate or rebar during construction, you’re set!