How To Make A Driveway From Quickrete Bags

Quikrete is a quick-curing concrete usable for most concrete applications, containing the same fully cured strength as most other concrete brands. Making a driveway with Quikrete follows the same process as using any other concrete. After creating the foundation hole and laying a grid of rebar at the halfway height, you simply mix and pour the Quikrete into place. The primary difference is the speed at which Quikrete firms and cures, leaving you less working time between mixing and finishing the material than you would have with other concrete types. If you work quickly and efficiently, though, you should be able to lay your driveway without any hardening of the material to interfere with the process.

Step 1

Measure the volume of the driveway foundation with a tape measure, to determine the number of Quikrete bags that you'll need to fill the space. Run the tape along the width and down the length of the driveway. Multiply these two numbers together to determine the surface area of the space. Measure the depth of the driveway from the rim of the foundation space to the base of the hole with the tape measure and then multiply that depth by the surface area result to determine the volume in cubic feet.

Step 2

Divide the volume in cubic feet of the driveway by the number of cubic feet each bag of mixed Quikrete covers. Quikrete recommends its Quikrete 5000 concrete mix for driveway use, with coverage of .6 cubic feet per 80-pound bag. For a driveway foundation 20 feet long, 10 feet wide and 4 inches in depth, the volume of the driveway is 66 cubic feet. This requires 110 80-pound bags of Quikrete for coverage, as each bag of the recommended mix has a coverage rate of 0.60 cubic feet.

Step 3

Place the concrete mix into the cement mixer, limiting the number of bags added to one 80-pounds bag per 1 cubic foot of cement mixer capacity. Add 6 pints of water per bag added to the mixer, and then mix the water into the Quikrete thoroughly, creating a smooth pourable concrete.

Step 4

Dampen the foundation base and sides with water to avoid leeching of moisture from the concrete once poured into place. Pour the Quikrete into the foundation hole over the rebar grid in the foundation hole, spreading the mix down the driveway using a shovel until you fill the driveway form.

Step 5

Run a wood screed board over the surface of the driveway across the tops of the forms to level the surface out. Move the screed back and forth with a sawing motion to lower the high spots. Run a bull float across the surface to level it even further, filling in the voids left in the surface.

Step 6

Drag an edging tool along the edges of the form between the form and the concrete to create a rounded edge to the drive.

Step 7

Cut expansion joints across the surface of the driveway running its full width with a trowel. Make each expansion joint 1-inch deep, and position one every 7 feet along the driveway length.

Step 8

Allow the driveway to firm. Wait for the water on the top of the Quikrete to evaporate, and then apply whatever finish you wish. A simple finish to drag a broom over the surface in random directions to create traction. You can also stamp or dye the surface if desired.

Step 9

Wait overnight for the concrete to harden slightly, and then spray the surface with an acrylic cure and sealer. Allow the driveway to cur for five to seven days before use.