How wide should a two-car driveway be in New Brunswick?

A functional two-car concrete driveway in New Brunswick should be 20-24 feet (6-7.3 metres) wide for comfortable side-by-side parking, with 20 feet as the practical minimum and 24 feet providing comfortable door clearance and easy parking for larger vehicles. Width requirements also depend on your lot, municipal setback rules, and whether the driveway serves a detached garage or opens to a parking pad.

Practical width guidance by use: A 16-foot-wide driveway technically fits two cars, but doors open into each other and maneuvering is tight — this width works only if one car is always parked closer to the garage and the other in the front. Most NB homeowners with two vehicles find 20 feet is the usable minimum for genuine side-by-side parking with comfortable door clearance. At 22-24 feet, both drivers can open doors fully, there is room to walk between vehicles, and winter tire ruts do not become a problem as they do on narrower slabs.

Driveway approach (municipal road connection) may be regulated to a different width than the main driveway. Many NB municipalities and the Department of Transportation limit driveway apron widths at the road edge — typically 4.5-7.5 metres (15-25 feet) for residential properties. Check with your local municipality or the NB Department of Transportation and Infrastructure if your driveway connects to a provincial road.

Length considerations for NB winters: A two-car driveway should be at least 18-20 feet long to accommodate a full-size vehicle with the garage door closed and space to walk behind. For two cars parked in tandem, 36-40 feet is needed. In NB, also consider where snow will go — a wider, longer driveway with a defined area for snow storage is far more practical through an NB winter than one that leaves no room for plowed snow banks.

Typical NB cost by width: At the standard installed rate of $8-$15 per square foot for a broom-finish concrete driveway:

• 20 feet wide x 30 feet long (600 sq ft) = $4,800-$9,000


• 24 feet wide x 30 feet long (720 sq ft) = $5,760-$10,800


• Adding a flared apron, turnaround area, or decorative border increases cost proportionally

For homes in Moncton, Fredericton, Dieppe, and Riverview where lots tend to be more compact, also confirm your property line setbacks before committing to a width — most NB municipalities require driveways to sit 0.5-1 metre from property lines. New Brunswick Concrete can connect you with local driveway contractors for a free site visit and quote.