It's tempting to park on a fresh driveway as soon as it's hard, but concrete hardens long before it's strong. Driving too early is one of the most common ways to crack a brand-new slab.
The rule of thumb
Passenger vehicles: wait 7 days. By then concrete has reached about 70% of its strength — enough for cars and light trucks.
Heavy vehicles: wait the full 28 days. Loaded trucks, RVs, dumpsters, and heavy equipment need the slab at 100% before they roll on.
Why the wait
Concrete gains strength on a curve — fast at first, then tapering toward the 28-day mark. At 24 hours it's walkable but only a small fraction of full strength. Putting thousands of pounds on a point load too soon causes cracks that no amount of later curing will undo.
Cold weather extends everything
Curing slows dramatically in the cold — below about 50°F the strength clock crawls, so a slab poured in late fall may need extra days before it's ready for traffic. When in doubt, wait longer or ask the crew who poured it.
Common questions
Can I drive on concrete after 3 days?
It's risky. Three days is well short of the 7-day, 70%-strength mark for cars. Waiting the full week is the safe call.
How long before parking a heavy truck on new concrete?
28 days. Heavy, concentrated loads need the slab at full design strength.
How thick should a driveway be to support vehicles?
5 to 6 inches for residential driveways. See our guide on concrete slab thickness.