How much does a driveway cost in the UK?

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.

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.

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.

Find a driveway specialist near you

You can find and compare driveway specialists and builders in your area on GotAPal, and message them directly. GotAPal is free to use and free to list, with no lead fees, ever.