How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Concrete Driveway in Orange County?

If you're tearing out a concrete driveway in Orange County, the single biggest cost variable isn't the demolition — it's the haul-off. Most homeowners discover this after they've already swung the hammer. This guide walks through real numbers so you can budget honestly.

The two costs you're paying for

Concrete driveway removal has two line items: breakout (jackhammer + labor) and haul-off (getting the broken concrete to a recycling facility). On a typical 600 sq ft OC driveway you're looking at roughly $1,200–$2,400 for breakout if you hire it out, or a weekend of your life if you DIY.

Why a 10-yard lowboy beats a roll-off

Roll-off dumpsters charge per ton on top of a base rental. Concrete is the heaviest thing they pick up — most 10-yard roll-offs cap out around 2 tons before you're paying $85–$110/ton overage. A typical 600 sq ft driveway weighs in around 6–8 tons of broken concrete. Do that math.

A 10-yard lowboy from Lowboy Dumpster is flat $750 for a clean concrete load. No tonnage. No overage. No surprise invoice.

What "clean concrete" means

Clean means concrete only — no rebar tangle, no dirt mixed in, no asphalt chunks. Most driveway slabs come out clean if you cut them into manageable pieces first. If yours has heavy rebar or you mix in dirt from the sub-base, you're in mixed-load territory ($925 flat).

Permits in Orange County

You generally don't need a demolition permit for a residential driveway in unincorporated OC, but cities like Newport Beach, Irvine, and Costa Mesa may require one if you're also re-pouring or modifying the apron at the street. Call your city's building department before you swing the hammer.

Bottom line

A 600 sq ft concrete driveway removal in Orange County in 2026 ballparks to $1,950–$3,150 fully done (breakout + haul). DIY the breakout and the only number that matters is the haul: $750 flat.