What PSI concrete should I use for a driveway in NB?

For a driveway in New Brunswick, specify a minimum 4,000 PSI (approximately 28 MPa) air-entrained mix. Many experienced NB contractors default to 4,500 PSI (32 MPa) for driveways, and for good reason — the higher strength pairs with better durability in our freeze-thaw environment.

In Canadian concrete specifications, strength is typically expressed in megapascals (MPa) rather than PSI. The common equivalents you will hear from NB suppliers and contractors are 20 MPa (2,900 PSI), 25 MPa (3,600 PSI), and 32 MPa (4,600 PSI). For a driveway subject to vehicle loads, salt exposure, and 150+ annual freeze-thaw cycles, 25 MPa is the absolute minimum, and 32 MPa is what most quality NB contractors will specify.

PSI alone does not tell the whole story. The CSA A23.1 standard — which governs concrete in Canada — classifies concrete by exposure class based on the severity of conditions it will face. A NB driveway falls into Exposure Class C-1 (concrete exposed to freezing and thawing in a moist condition or to de-icing chemicals). The C-1 specification requires a minimum 32 MPa mix with 5–8% air content and a maximum water-to-cement ratio of 0.45. This is the proper specification, and it is more informative than PSI alone.

For driveways in coastal NB communities — Saint John, Shediac, Bathurst waterfront, Shippagan — salt air adds to the attack on the concrete surface. In these locations, 32 MPa minimum is strongly recommended, and the water-to-cement ratio is especially important because a denser, lower water ratio paste is more resistant to chloride penetration.

Here is what to tell your ready-mix supplier or concrete contractor:

• 32 MPa (4,600 PSI), air-entrained, 5–8% air content


• Maximum 0.45 water-to-cement ratio


• 100–125 mm (4–5 inch) slump


• Type GU (General Use) or Type HE (High Early) cement — HE for late-season pours

For a standard two-car driveway (400–600 sq ft) at 5–6 inch thickness, you are looking at 6–9 cubic yards of ready-mix. At NB 2025–2026 pricing of $200–$240 per cubic yard for air-entrained 32 MPa mix, that is $1,200–$2,160 in materials alone. Total installed cost for a two-car driveway in NB typically ranges from $5,000–$9,000 depending on removal of the existing surface, base preparation, and finishing choices.