New concrete keeps getting stronger for about four weeks after it's poured. What happens in that first month, especially in summer heat, affects how it holds up for years.
Foot traffic is usually fine after a day or two. Wait about a week before driving a regular car onto a new driveway, and longer for heavy trucks, trailers, or RVs. We'll give you timing for your specific pour.
Hot, dry, windy weather pulls moisture out of fresh concrete quickly. Keeping it from drying out too fast in the first days helps it cure evenly. We'll tell you what to do based on the weather during your project.
Over the first year, keep heavy loads away from the edges, where slabs are weakest, and avoid parking a heavy vehicle in the same spot along an edge. Clean up oil spills quickly, and sweep off sand and grit regularly.
Broom-finished driveways don't need much more than that. Stamped and colored concrete should be resealed every few years to protect the surface and keep the color from fading in the sun.