How much does a driveway cost in the UK?
Last updated 13 August 2026 · 6 min read · Reviewed by the GotAPal editorial team
A new driveway smartens up the front of a house and adds off-street parking, but prices swing a lot by material and ground conditions. Driveways are usually costed per square metre, so once you know the going rate you can sanity-check any quote. Here is what to expect across the UK in 2026.
The short version
- Gravel is cheapest at roughly £40 to £70 per m².
- Tarmac is about £45 to £75 per m², block paving £60 to £100.
- Resin bound driveways run roughly £40 to £80 per m².
- A full driveway is often £3,000 to £8,000 depending on size and type.
- Over 5 square metres you need a permeable surface or proper drainage.
Cost per square metre by type
- Gravel: the cheapest option, roughly £40 to £70 per m², quick to lay but needs occasional topping up.
- Tarmac: around £45 to £75 per m², hard-wearing and good for larger areas.
- Block paving: roughly £60 to £100 per m², smart and repairable but more labour to lay.
- Resin bound: around £40 to £80 per m², smooth, permeable and low maintenance.
Typical whole-driveway prices
For a typical domestic driveway, most jobs land somewhere between £3,000 and £8,000depending on the size, the material and how much groundwork is needed.
| Driveway type | Typical cost per m² |
|---|---|
| Gravel | £40 to £70 |
| Tarmac | £45 to £75 |
| Block paving | £60 to £100 |
| Resin bound | £40 to £80 |
What drives the cost
- Excavation. Digging out and removing the old surface and soil.
- Sub-base. A proper compacted stone base is what makes a driveway last.
- Edging. Kerbs and edge restraints keep the surface in place.
- Drainage. Channels or a soakaway to manage rainwater.
- Ground conditions. Soft or uneven ground needs more preparation.
The drainage and planning rule
If your new driveway is over 5 square metres, you need to use a permeable surface, or direct rainwater to a soakaway or border within your property, to avoid needing planning permission. A good installer will build this in as standard, so ask how they are handling drainage.
How to spot a fair quote
- Check the sub-base depth. A proper spec sets out the excavation and stone base, not just the surface.
- Confirm edging and drainage are included in the price.
- Get a written spec with materials and a guarantee length.
- Compare two or three quotes on the same scope.
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