Driveway Cost Calculator UK
The average driveway cost in the UK is £40 to £150 per m² in 2026, depending on the surface. A typical two-car drive of 30 to 40 m² ranges from about £1,200 in gravel to £4,500 or more in resin-bound or block paving. Use the calculator to compare the cost of a new driveway in every surface.
- Installed, per m²£40 – £150
- Gravel, per m²£40 – £70
- Resin-bound, per m²£90 – £150
Prices checked November 2026 · UK figures include labour and materials unless stated
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Driveway cost per m² by material (2026)
| Surface | Installed cost per m² | Single drive (~15 m²) | Double drive (~30 m²) | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | £40 – £70 | £600 – £1,050 | £1,200 – £2,100 | 10+ years with top-ups |
| Tarmac | £45 – £80 | £700 – £1,200 | £1,350 – £2,400 | 15–20 years |
| Pattern-imprinted concrete | £70 – £110 | £1,050 – £1,650 | £2,100 – £3,300 | 20+ years |
| Block paving | £70 – £120 | £1,050 – £1,800 | £2,100 – £3,600 | 25+ years |
| Resin-bound | £90 – £150 | £1,350 – £2,250 | £2,700 – £4,500 | 20–25 years |
Gravel driveway cost
Gravel is the cheapest driveway at about £40 to £70 per m² installed, so a 30 m² drive costs roughly £1,200 to £2,100. The price includes digging out, a compacted sub-base, a weed membrane, edging and around 50 mm of gravel. Stabilising grids stop the gravel moving and rutting, and add a little to the cost.
Resin and block paving driveway cost
A resin-bound driveway costs about £90 to £150 per m², and block paving about £70 to £120 per m². For a 30 m² drive that is roughly £2,700 to £4,500 for resin and £2,100 to £3,600 for block paving. Both last 20 years or more when laid on a proper base.
Cost of a concrete driveway
Pattern-imprinted concrete costs around £70 to £110 per m². It gives the look of paving in a single slab with no weeds between blocks, but cracks are hard to repair invisibly.
Which driveway surface is best?
- Gravel is the cheapest and naturally permeable, but stones scatter and it needs topping up.
- Tarmac is cheap and durable for large areas, but plain-looking and needs drainage planning.
- Block paving looks smart, lasts a long time and individual blocks can be lifted for repairs.
- Resin-bound gives a smooth, permeable, low-maintenance finish but needs a good base and a skilled installer.
- Pattern-imprinted concrete mimics paving in one slab; cracks are hard to repair invisibly.
Planning permission and dropped kerbs
In England, a new or replacement front driveway over 5 m² does not need planning permission if it uses a permeable surface (gravel, permeable block paving, resin-bound) or drains onto a lawn or border. A non-permeable surface that drains to the road needs permission. If you need to drive across the pavement, you must apply to your council for a dropped kerb; the council or its approved contractor does the work, and costs vary by area.
How this driveway cost calculator works
We multiply your area by a 2026 installed price per m² for each surface, add any drainage channel at £80 to £150 per metre, and adjust for your region. The side-by-side table helps you compare materials for the same drive.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new driveway cost in the UK?
Most new driveways cost £40 to £150 per m² in 2026. A double drive of about 30 m² is roughly £1,200 in gravel, £1,350 to £2,400 in tarmac and £2,100 to £4,500 in block paving or resin.
What is the cheapest driveway?
Gravel is usually the cheapest at about £40 to £70 per m² installed, followed by tarmac at £45 to £80 per m².
How much does a resin driveway cost?
A resin-bound driveway costs about £90 to £150 per m² installed, so a 30 m² drive is around £2,700 to £4,500.
How much does block paving cost per m²?
Concrete block paving typically costs £70 to £120 per m² installed. Clay pavers are more expensive.
How much does a 2-car driveway cost?
A two-car drive is usually 30 to 40 m². Expect about £1,200 to £2,800 in gravel, £1,350 to £3,200 in tarmac and £2,100 to £6,000 for block paving or resin.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
Not if it is permeable or drains onto your own garden. Covering more than 5 m² of a front garden with a non-permeable surface that drains to the road needs permission in England.
How much does a 2 car driveway cost per m²?
A two-car drive costs the same per m² as other driveways: about £40 to £70 in gravel, £45 to £80 in tarmac and £70 to £150 in block paving or resin.
Where our prices come from
We compare published 2026 UK cost guides and trade price data, then use the middle of the range. Figures are for budgeting only and are not a quote. See how we price.