Driveway Cost (Block Paving, Resin & Tarmac) — 2026 UK Guide
A new driveway typically costs £45 to £150 per m2 in 2026 depending on the material you choose, which works out at roughly £2,000 to £8,000+ for a complete driveway. A resin driveway — the most-searched option — usually costs £90 to £150/m2 fully installed. Your final driveway cost depends on the surface, the size of the area and where you live. The figures here are typical 2026 UK ranges to help you budget; for a firm price, compare quotes from a few driveway and landscaping specialists.
We’re an independent directory, not an installer. We don’t fit driveways or push one material — we compare the options and route you to multiple vetted installers so you can choose what suits your home and budget.
Driveway cost at a glance (2026)
Here’s a price-at-a-glance summary of new driveway costs by material in the UK as of 2026. Prices are per square metre and for a typical single drive (~15m2) and double drive (~30m2), fully installed — including excavation, sub-base, the surface itself and edging.
| Material | Cost per m2 | Single drive (~15m2) | Double drive (~30m2) | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | £40 – £70 | £600 – £1,100 | £1,200 – £2,100 | 10+ years (top-ups needed) |
| Tarmac / asphalt | £45 – £80 | £700 – £1,200 | £1,400 – £2,400 | 15 – 20 years |
| Resin-bound | £90 – £150 | £1,500 – £2,500 | £3,000 – £4,500 | 15 – 25 years |
| Block paving | £70 – £120 | £1,100 – £1,800 | £2,100 – £3,600 | 20 – 30+ years |
| Imprinted concrete | £70 – £110 | £1,100 – £1,650 | £2,100 – £3,300 | 20+ years |
Typical 2026 UK ranges, fully installed. Prices are guide figures, not guaranteed quotes — get a free quote for your driveway.
These ranges assume a standard installation on stable ground. Removing an old surface, poor access, a sloped site or extra drainage to meet SuDS rules can all push the price up — see what affects the price below. To turn these figures into a firm number, compare quotes from driveway installers near you.
Driveway cost by material
The single biggest factor in your driveway cost is the material. Each balances price, looks, durability and drainage differently.
Resin driveway cost (resin-bound vs resin-bonded)
Resin driveways are the most popular premium choice — smooth, modern and low-maintenance. There are two types, and the difference matters for both cost and planning:
- Resin-bound — aggregate is mixed with resin and trowelled onto a base, giving a smooth, permeable finish that lets water drain through. It’s the premium, SuDS-friendly option. Fully installed it typically costs £90 to £150/m2.
- Resin-bonded — resin is applied to the base and stone is scattered on top, giving a rougher, textured finish. It’s not permeable, so it’s cheaper to lay (the surface alone can be £40 to £70/m2) but may need separate drainage and can fall under planning rules.
For most homeowners wanting kerb appeal plus easy drainage, resin-bound is the go-to. As a citable headline: a resin-bound driveway costs around £90 to £150/m2 fully installed in 2026, so a single drive (~15m2) runs roughly £1,500 to £2,500 and a double (~30m2) £3,000 to £4,500.
Block paving driveway cost
Block paving uses individual blocks laid in a pattern over a compacted sub-base and sand. It’s hard-wearing, repairable (you can lift and replace single blocks) and available in many colours and styles.
- Cost per m2: £70 to £120 installed, including excavation, sub-base and edging
- Single drive (~15m2): £1,100 to £1,800
- Double drive (~30m2): £2,100 to £3,600
Permeable block paving is available and helps you meet drainage rules. Block paving lasts a long time — often 20 to 30+ years — though it can need occasional re-sanding and weed control between joints.
Tarmac / asphalt driveway cost
Tarmac is one of the most cost-effective surfaces for larger areas, which is why it’s common on longer drives.
- Cost per m2: £45 to £80 installed
- Single drive (~15m2): £700 to £1,200
- Double drive (~30m2): £1,400 to £2,400
Tarmac is quick to lay and durable (15 to 20 years), but it’s not permeable, so larger areas draining to the road may need planning permission or extra drainage.
Gravel driveway cost (the cheapest option)
Gravel is usually the cheapest driveway, and it’s naturally permeable, so it sidesteps most planning concerns.
- Cost per m2: £40 to £70 installed
- Single drive (~15m2): £600 to £1,100
- Double drive (~30m2): £1,200 to £2,100
The trade-off is upkeep: gravel scatters, migrates and needs topping up over time, and a proper edged, membrane-backed installation costs more than simply tipping stone onto soil.
Imprinted (pattern-imprinted) concrete driveway cost
Pattern-imprinted concrete is poured, coloured and stamped to mimic block paving, brick or stone in a single seamless slab.
- Cost per m2: £70 to £110 installed
- Single drive (~15m2): £1,100 to £1,650
- Double drive (~30m2): £2,100 to £3,300
It’s durable and low-maintenance but not permeable, and because it’s a solid slab, repairs are harder to make invisibly than with block paving.
Driveway cost by size
Most installers price per square metre, so size is the other big lever. As a rough guide for 2026:
| Driveway size | Approx. area | Gravel | Tarmac | Resin-bound | Block paving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single car | ~15m2 | £600 – £1,100 | £700 – £1,200 | £1,500 – £2,500 | £1,100 – £1,800 |
| Double car | ~30m2 | £1,200 – £2,100 | £1,400 – £2,400 | £3,000 – £4,500 | £2,100 – £3,600 |
| Large / multi-car | ~50m2 | £2,000 – £3,500 | £2,250 – £4,000 | £4,500 – £7,500 | £3,500 – £6,000 |
Typical 2026 UK ranges, fully installed. Get a quote for your exact measurements.
Bear in mind that a bigger area sometimes brings the per-m2 rate down slightly, because set-up costs (mobilising the team, hiring plant) are spread across more square metres.
What affects driveway price
Two identical-looking drives can carry very different quotes. The main cost drivers are:
- Groundworks and excavation — digging out the existing ground to the right depth is a big part of the cost, especially on a deep build-up for a load-bearing drive.
- Sub-base depth — a driveway that will take cars needs a properly compacted sub-base; cutting corners here causes sinking and cracking later.
- Removing the old surface — lifting and disposing of an old concrete, tarmac or paved drive adds skip and labour costs.
- Drainage and SuDS compliance — non-permeable surfaces draining to the road may need a soakaway, channel drains or a permeable build-up to comply with Sustainable Drainage (SuDS) rules.
- Edging and kerbs — edge restraints, kerbs and channel drains add cost but are essential for a driveway that lasts.
- Slope and access — sloped sites, retaining walls and tight access for machinery and deliveries all add time and money.
- Permeable requirements — choosing a permeable surface (resin-bound, gravel, permeable block paving) can avoid planning permission and extra drainage works.
- Drop-kerb (vehicle crossover) — if you need to lower the kerb to drive across the pavement, that’s a separate council application and cost, arranged through your local authority.
Because these vary so much from home to home, an on-site quote that lists exactly what’s included is the only reliable figure. Compare quotes from driveway specialists and check each one itemises groundworks, sub-base, drainage and edging.
Driveway cost by region (2026)
Where you live affects what you pay, mainly through local labour and disposal rates rather than the materials themselves. Driveways don’t have rich per-city pricing data, so we frame this regionally using the labour-cost gradient seen consistently across the building trades: London and the South East run roughly 15 to 20% above the national average, while northern England, Scotland and Wales typically sit below it.
| City / region | Cost vs national average | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| London | Highest (15 – 20% above) | Premium labour, disposal and access costs |
| Reading & South East | Above average | Tracks London, slightly lower |
| Bristol | Around / slightly above average | Mid-range |
| Birmingham | Around average | Mid-range |
| Manchester | Around average | Mid-range |
| Leeds | Around / below average | Mid-range |
| Liverpool | Below average | Typically lower labour rates |
| Newcastle | Below average | Among the lower-cost areas |
| Glasgow | Below average | Lower labour rates |
| Cardiff | Below average | Lower labour rates |
| Swansea | Below average | Among the lower-cost areas |
Directional 2026 guide based on regional labour costs, not fixed quotes. Get free local quotes for your area.
The practical takeaway: if you’re in London or the South East, comparing three or more quotes matters even more, because the spread between installers is wider. Wherever you are, comparing local driveway installers is the surest way to find a fair price.
How to save on a new driveway
A few sensible moves can bring your driveway cost down without cutting corners on quality:
- Choose a permeable surface — resin-bound, gravel or permeable block paving usually avoids planning permission and can save on separate drainage works.
- Book off-peak — driveway work peaks in spring and summer; booking in autumn or winter can mean better availability and keener pricing.
- Compare 3 or more quotes — prices for the same job vary widely between installers, so always get at least three.
- Consider part vs full replacement — if only one section has failed, a repair or partial relay can cost far less than a complete rip-out.
- Get the spec in writing — a clear quote (excavation depth, sub-base, edging, drainage) prevents surprise extras and lets you compare like with like.
We don’t sell driveways, so we have no reason to steer you toward the most expensive option — our job is to help you compare and choose.
How to get free driveway quotes
The figures in this guide are typical 2026 ranges to help you plan. For a price you can rely on, you need quotes for your specific driveway from vetted local installers.
Here’s how to compare well:
- Get at least three quotes so you can spot a fair price and an outlier.
- Check the build-up — make sure each quote specifies the excavation depth, sub-base and edging, not just the surface.
- Confirm drainage and planning — ask whether the surface is permeable and whether any drainage or planning application is needed.
- Check insurance and reviews — use installers who are insured and reviewed by other homeowners.
- Ask about guarantees — a good installer will guarantee their workmanship; get the length and terms in writing.
Through Trusted Tradesmen Quotes, you can request free, no-obligation quotes from driveway and landscaping specialists near you in minutes. Because we’re independent, we connect you with multiple installers and every material — not a single product.
You can also find a trusted tradesman for any other job, or browse our other building cost guides — including house extension cost and loft conversion cost.
Get free quotes from driveway installers near you and compare your driveway cost today.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a resin driveway cost in 2026?
A resin-bound driveway typically costs £90 to £150/m2 fully installed in 2026. A single drive (~15m2) runs roughly £1,500 to £2,500, and a double (~30m2) £3,000 to £4,500. Resin-bonded (the textured, non-permeable type) is cheaper to lay but may need separate drainage. The best way to get an accurate figure is to compare a few local quotes.
How much does block paving cost per m2?
Block paving costs around £70 to £120/m2 installed in 2026, including excavation, a compacted sub-base and edging. A typical double driveway (~30m2) costs roughly £2,100 to £3,600. Permeable block paving costs a little more but helps you meet drainage rules.
How much does a tarmac driveway cost?
Tarmac is one of the cheaper options at roughly £45 to £80/m2. A typical double driveway costs about £1,400 to £2,400 fully installed. Tarmac is quick to lay and durable, but it’s not permeable, so larger areas may need extra drainage or planning permission.
What is the cheapest type of driveway?
Gravel is usually the cheapest driveway at £40 to £70/m2, and it’s naturally permeable. The trade-off is upkeep — gravel scatters and needs topping up. Block paving and resin cost more but last longer and add more kerb appeal, so they can be better value over time.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
Not if you use a permeable surface — resin-bound, gravel or permeable block paving — which lets water drain naturally. A non-permeable surface (such as standard tarmac or solid concrete) over 5m2 that drains onto the road usually needs planning permission unless you add drainage like a soakaway. Always check the current rules with your local council before you start.