Concrete vs. Pavers for Your Driveway: Cost, Durability & Style Compared

Poured Concrete Driveways — Pros and Cons

Poured concrete has been the go-to driveway material for decades, and for good reason. It delivers a clean, uniform surface that works with just about any home style — from traditional colonials to modern builds. When properly installed with the right mix, finishing, and joint placement, a concrete driveway is extremely durable and can handle heavy daily use without breaking a sweat.

Concrete also isn't limited to plain gray slabs. Stamped and decorative concrete techniques let you add texture, color, and pattern to a poured surface, giving you the look of stone or brick at a fraction of the cost. For homeowners who want visual impact without the price tag of premium pavers, decorative concrete is a strong middle ground.

On the cost side, poured concrete is generally less expensive upfront than a paver installation of the same size. It's a straightforward material to price and install, which keeps labor costs more predictable.

The trade-offs are worth knowing. Concrete can crack over time — especially in Maryland, where freeze-thaw cycles put constant stress on hard surfaces. Small cracks are normal and usually cosmetic, but larger ones may need professional repair. And when repairs are needed, matching the original color and texture can be difficult, which means patches tend to be visible. With proper installation, sealing every few years, and occasional crack maintenance, a poured concrete driveway typically lasts 25 to 30 years or more.

Paver Driveways — Pros and Cons

Pavers give you options that poured concrete simply can't match when it comes to design flexibility. They're available in a huge range of shapes, colors, patterns, and textures — from classic herringbone brick to sleek, large-format modern styles. If curb appeal and a custom look are high on your priority list, pavers deliver.

One of the biggest practical advantages is repairability. If an individual paver cracks or shifts, you can pull it out and replace just that unit without touching the rest of the driveway. Try that with poured concrete and you'll end up with a visible patch. Pavers are also naturally flexible — the joints between units allow for slight ground movement without cracking, which is a real advantage on properties with expansive soils or settling issues.

The downsides come down to cost and maintenance. Paver driveways carry a higher upfront price, both for materials and labor. Installation is more involved — every unit is placed individually on a carefully prepared base, which takes more time and skill. Over the years, you'll need to re-sand the joints periodically and apply sealer to maintain appearance and prevent weed growth between the stones. If the base wasn't installed correctly, pavers can shift, settle unevenly, or develop gaps — which is why the quality of your contractor matters just as much as the material you choose.

A well-installed paver driveway with proper base preparation and maintenance can last 30 to 50 years, often outlasting poured concrete by a significant margin.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Cost. Poured concrete wins on upfront price in most cases. Depending on the size and complexity, a concrete driveway can cost significantly less per square foot than pavers. However, the long-term math is closer than it looks — paver repairs are cheaper and easier since you're replacing individual units rather than patching or resurfacing an entire slab. Over a 30-year span, total cost of ownership for both materials can end up in a similar range.

Durability. Both materials handle vehicle traffic and heavy use well when installed correctly. The key difference is how they respond to stress. Concrete is rigid — it resists surface wear but can crack under ground movement or freeze-thaw pressure. Pavers are flexible — the joints absorb movement, which means they're less prone to cracking but more susceptible to shifting if the base fails. In Maryland's climate, both perform well with proper installation. The freeze-thaw issue is manageable with quality concrete work and good joint spacing, and pavers hold up as long as the base and drainage are solid.

Maintenance. Concrete driveways should be sealed every two to three years and kept clean to prevent staining. Cracks should be addressed early before they spread. Paver driveways need joint re-sanding every one to three years and periodic sealing to maintain color and resist weeds. Both require occasional cleaning, though pavers can be more labor-intensive due to the joints.

Aesthetics. Pavers offer the widest range of design options out of the box. Concrete catches up significantly when you factor in stamped and decorative finishes — staining, stamping, and exposed aggregate can give poured concrete a high-end custom look. Both can be tailored to complement your home's architecture. It comes down to the specific look you're after.

Resale value. In the Glen Burnie and Anne Arundel County market, both options add curb appeal and value. Paver driveways tend to make a stronger visual impression on buyers and can command a slight premium, but a well-maintained decorative concrete driveway holds its own. A cracked, neglected driveway of either material hurts resale — condition matters more than material.

Installation timeline. A standard residential concrete driveway can typically be poured and finished in one to two days, with a curing period of about a week before full use. Paver driveways take longer — usually three to five days for installation, depending on size and pattern complexity — but they're ready for use as soon as the final course is set and the joints are filled.

Which One Is Right for You?

If budget is the primary driver, poured concrete is usually the smarter play. It gives you a durable, clean-looking driveway at a lower upfront cost, and decorative options like stamping and staining let you add character without crossing into paver pricing territory.

If design flexibility and long-term repairability are your top priorities, pavers are worth the investment. The range of styles and the ability to swap out individual units make pavers the better fit for homeowners who want a custom look and easy maintenance down the road.

There's also a middle ground that a lot of homeowners overlook: a hybrid approach. Using pavers for a decorative border or accent strip with a poured concrete field gives you the visual appeal of pavers where it counts most — along the edges and at the apron — while keeping the bulk of the project at concrete pricing. It's a smart way to get the best of both worlds.

Here's the bottom line that applies regardless of which material you choose: the quality of the installation matters more than the material itself. A poorly installed paver driveway with an inadequate base will fail faster than a well-done concrete one, and a rushed concrete pour with bad finishing will crack sooner than it should. The contractor you hire is the single biggest factor in how your driveway performs and how long it lasts.

Get a Free Driveway Estimate

Brijo Concrete Solutions handles both poured concrete and paver driveway installations across Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Baltimore, and the surrounding areas. Whether you already know what you want or you'd like help deciding, we'll walk through the options and give you an honest recommendation based on your property and your budget. Request a free estimate today and mention promo code 123-POUR to get started. You can also read our reviews to see why our clients keep coming back.